WebChutney co-founder Siddharth Rao Passes Away at 43
by Swetha P
Updated Apr 24, 2023
WebChutney co-founder
Sidharth Rao was a renowned figure in the Indian advertising industry, known for co-founding and leading Webchutney, one of the country's most successful digital advertising agencies. Having founded the agency in 1999, he served as its CEO for over two decades until Dentsu acquired it in 2013, after which he continued to lead it. In July 2021, he was appointed as the global CEO of Dentsu McGarrybowen, a position he held for a short period.
Under Rao's leadership, Webchutney won numerous awards, including a Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity award in 2022 for their work with Vice Media on 'The Unfiltered History Tour.' However, in 2022, he stepped down from his role at Dentsu to start his own venture, Punt Partners, in the marketing tech space with fellow entrepreneur Madhu Sudhan.
Tragically, on the 21st of April, Rao passed away due to a fatal cardiac arrest at his home in Karjat. The official statement from Punt Partners expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to Rao's parents and his wife, who survive him. Rao's contributions to the Indian advertising industry and his leadership will be deeply missed.
WebChutney co-founder Siddharth Rao passes away
The news of his sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the industry, and his colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss. In an official statement, Punt Partners urged everyone to take the time to grieve the loss of their dear friend, who was not only a colleague but also a son, brother, and husband.
The statement also conveyed the family's gratitude for the outpouring of condolences and support during this difficult time. Sidharth Rao, the renowned co-founder and former CEO of Webchutney, passed away on April 21 due to a fatal cardiac arrest at his home in Karjat. He was only 43 years old and leaves behind his parents and wife. Along with Madhu Sudhan, he founded Punt Partners, a marTech firm, last year.
Siddharth Rao cause of death
Siddharth Rao, the co-founder and former CEO of WebChutney, passed away at the age of 43 due to a fatal cardiac arrest on April 21. He had recently started his new venture, Punt Partners, in the MarTech space with Madhu Sudhan. According to the official statement released by Punt Partners, Rao passed away at his home in Karjat, Maharashtra. The sudden and untimely demise of Rao has left his family and friends devastated.
Rao founded Webchutney, one of India's first and leading digital agencies, at the young age of 19 in 1999. Under his leadership, the agency achieved great success and scaled new heights. He also started Network Play, a brand ad network under Webchutney, which became the largest in less than three years. Rao's contribution to the digital advertising industry in India has been immense, and his legacy will be remembered forever.
Siddharth Rao dies
The sudden demise of Sidharth Rao, co-founder of Webchutney and Punt Partners, has left the advertising and investor community in shock. In a statement, Punt Partners requested everyone to take time to grieve the loss of their friend, colleague, son, brother, and husband. Many people within the industry took to social media to express their grief, including angel investor Mahesh Murthy, who called Rao a good friend and fellow traveler.
Rao and co-founder Madhu Sudhan believed that the MarTech space presents a $100 billion opportunity that isn't being addressed correctly by existing players. They believed that India has the potential to produce large-scale MarTech service providers to address the complexity that brands face. In an interview last year, Rao expressed his belief that the digital advertising industry was entering a complex and constantly changing era and that Punt Partners was poised to take advantage of this with a serious head start.
WebChutney co-founder - FAQs
Siddharth Rao was the co-founder and former CEO of Webchutney, one of India's top digital advertising agencies.
Siddharth Rao passed away due to a fatal cardiac arrest on April 21, 2023, at his home in Karjat, Maharashtra.
Punt Partners is a marketing tech (MarTech) firm co-founded by Siddharth Rao and Madhu Sudhan.
According to Siddharth Rao and Madhu Sudhan, there is a $100-billion opportunity in the MarTech space that's not being correctly addressed at this moment in time.
Siddharth Rao founded Webchutney, one of India's first and top digital advertising agencies, at the age of 19 and took it to new heights. He also started Network Play under Webchutney, which became the largest brand ad network in less than three years.