Ratish Nair, the founding CEO of Interactive Avenues (IA), has passed away. Social media was abuzz with tributes and condolences, as colleagues, industry peers, and friends remembered his immense contributions to the digital marketing landscape. Many shared heartfelt messages and anecdotes, highlighting his visionary leadership and the lasting impact he had on the industry.
Shashi Sinha, CEO, IPG Mediabrands in a tweet shared a eulogy on X which read, “Looking back, Ratish was literally the glue that held us together in our initial years. His calm, approachable persona and wealth of knowledge made him the go-to person for many in the agency. More than just a leader, he was a mentor, friend and a constant source of inspiration for us all.”
Very sad news . A truly nice person pic.twitter.com/xWjPkjCfNW
— Shashi Sinha (@Shashimediabran) May 23, 2024
Shubho Sengupta, Head Communication & UI/UX at Karmayogi Bharat wrote, “Ratish Nait was the finest digital marketing mind I knew, a builder of the Indian digital marketing industry in the first decade of this century, but more importantly a truly lovely human being. Cherish the days I worked with him at Interactive Avenues , I am grateful. Prayers and deepest condolences. Om shanti”
Dr. Kushal Sanghvi, Business Mentor, shared “It’s definitely really crazy times that we’re living in and while we continue to leapfrog ahead in digital its some of our dear friends from this digitalmarketing world that we’re continually losing.”
“Ratish Nair a dear friend for so many years unfortunately left us all yesterday. As many would know of him who’s also been one of the earliest advocates of Digital Advertising was the strong force of the founding team of a company that many would remember as “ Mediaturf “ which many of the same team then created an Interactive Avenues which was also one of the biggest digital advertising agencies of the times then,” he added.
Nair was an expert in multiple facets of online and new media marketing and communication, with a specialization in internet communication, marketing strategy and planning, media buying, and online marketing technology solutions.
In June 2023, he co-founded Building.Sooper, his latest entrepreneurial venture. Nair was also an investor and had co-founded startups such as Ad Magnet and Cambay.io. Additionally, he served as a Consultant in Strategic Planning at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising.
His last rites will be conducted on May 24.
