In the advertising world, guiding figures not only influence the trajectory of creative professionals but also leave a lasting impact on the industry as a whole.

In celebration of Teacher's Day, we reached out to some of the ad industry's leaders to uncover the mentors who have shaped their journeys and the invaluable lessons that have become the cornerstone of their success.

Here is what they had to say...

Abhik Santra, founder, ^ atom network

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

My deep-seated passion for creativity has afforded me the privilege of learning from an array of exceptional creative partners across various agencies. Many of these relationships have evolved into lasting friendships and mentorships that extend beyond the realm of advertising.

Two figures, in particular, stand out as my constant sources of inspiration. One has profoundly influenced my approach to advertising, while the other has shaped my broader perspective on life.

First up is Piyush (Pandey), a mentor so universally revered that he practically deserves a statue. Working with him instilled in me a deep respect for discipline, an unwavering passion for brands, and a laser-like focus on craftsmanship. Perhaps most importantly, he taught me to maintain a childlike wonder and enthusiasm for every piece of creative work.

The other significant influence on my professional outlook comes from the Gen Z cohort. While the tension between traditional discipline and a more relaxed approach might one day make me question my sanity, it has undeniably prompted me to reevaluate my past beliefs and approach the future with greater fluidity. Thanks to them, I’m now trying to swap my dusty rulebook for a much cooler, more flexible guide to the future…

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

Think a million times (and then some) before trash-talking work that isn’t yours or your agencies. It’s a bit of a buzzkill to see folks trolling for quick likes on LinkedIn, ripping apart creative work without knowing the full story behind their journey from brief to output. Creative projects are like epic quests, filled with twists, turns, and dragon-sized challenges. And judging them with incomplete knowledge reflects a profound disrespect for the profession we cherish so deeply.

Manas Mohan, CDDO, Laqshya Media and CEO, Digitalabs

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the legends of the industry – and it’s very, very difficult to choose between legends! From Srikant Sastri and Kanika Mathur in McCann/Solutions to Lynn De Souza in Lowe Lintas and Rajat Sethi in Wunderman, the common ‘shaping input’ that stayed with me was the quantum of energy that they poured into every creative discussion. There are no half-measures in creativity. Their energy stemmed, according to me, from a shared belief: Don’t do something you (merely) like. Do what you love.

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

Look for the best in everyone and assimilate those qualities.’ The fact is that there are some truly talented people in our industry and I have immense respect for so many of them. In meetings and interactions in the process of proselytising good communication, I have been delighted, surprised and humbled by their inputs. But several epiphanies have been born from augmentations from unexpected quarters. Almost everyone has a good story to share. Absorb it! And that can happen only if you’re open to stories from hitherto unknown minstrels. Basically, I try and emulate Rogue (from the school of a certain Prof. X)! It has helped me make friends... and influence a few.

Malvika Thirani, creative, Talented 

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

As someone who studied finance, far removed from the advertising realm, I’ve only known on-the-job learning. I found my anchor and guiding light in Aarushi Periwal and Pooja Manek, both Creatives at Talented. I first met them when I was an intern at our previous organisation, Dentsu Webchutney. The year was 2020, the internet was dancing to Renegade, and I didn’t know the meaning of ‘video supers’. Cut to present day, as I take a session at Miami Ad School on UI/UX film writing. I’ve written Swiggy’s Wrong Address and Table for 2, and directed one of my own, thanks to the lessons I learn on the daily – attention to craft with the permission to fail. Inspired by their unwavering trust, I applied for the prestigious Cannes Lions Scholarship this year and became 1 out of the 5 people selected from over the world to attend the festival. 

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

Having met many writers and producers who were former engineers and NEET aspirants, I can say one thing with steadfast resolve: creativity isn’t a by-product of the degree you pursue or a handout at a portfolio-only college. It’s something you can fuel and foster under the right mentors, which is precisely what I did coming from a non-advertising background. Given how receptive our industry is to non-linear trajectories, I see it as our responsibility to create work as interesting as the ad-makers themselves.

Mithila Saraf, chief executive officer, Famous Innovations

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

My ad industry mentor is obvious, It's Raj Kamble, founder and chief creative officer, Famous Innovations. He hired me almost right out of college before I knew anything about advertising or how an agency works. He told me later that he saw this drive in me—a determination to achieve something, even though I didn’t yet know what that something was. Everything I know I've learned from him and he is easily the most driven person I've ever seen. 

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

Celebrate your highs quickly, because the highs and lows are constant in advertising. But also, don't let your highs, go to your head and don't let your lows hurt you too much because neither lasts too long.

Ridhesh Sejpal, founder, Good Fellas Studio

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

I’m part of the production house ecosystem, running my own company as an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur often feels like a solo journey, but I’ve always viewed my peers as mentors. We learn a lot from each other because the challenges I face are often the same ones they’re dealing with. It’s valuable to ask for advice, share experiences, and grow together. For me, peers are my mentors.

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

A learning I got early on in my career. I think from one of my friends is that every client deserves the film he or she gets. Often, you put in the effort to create a great film, but clients may not approve of certain aspects, and it’s disheartening when the final product goes out and doesn’t perform well. You think, “We worked so hard on this,” yet it doesn’t meet expectations. And at that point, my friend told me that every client deserves a film he or she gets because, and that's the only way one needs to look at it and then move on.

Roy Menezes, partner and CCO, Centrick

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

These are the two people who shaped my career in the field of marketing communications:

1) Bobby Pawar - as a newcomer to Tribal DDB and the world of agencies without their finer workings, Bobby told me one thing, "Walk into a room knowing you're the best. Only then will people believe you're the best." That phrase shaped my life. It took the self-doubt off, built confidence and then came the trust. And later came the awards and yes a lot of them. The second thing I remember even today, is don't let go of a good idea. Push for it. Fight for it, even give your life for it and deliver it better than anyone else would. The third is counter to the second don't fight for an idea like it is your last idea. Cause if it is, you're dead anyway.

2) Abhijit Avasthi- "Thoda Aur Sochte Hai", four words that came at the end of every brainstorm and at the end of every presentation. The jobs are never done, the film is not finished and the website is not live until the website is live and the film is on-air. But nothing stops us from changing it all over again for the better. This man is something else. You'll hate him in the moment but you'll love him for life. Surround yourself with great talent and take everyone's point of view. Then do what you think is right. You can't make everyone happy. Just make sure you're happy. This dialogue after a hard-fought meeting will stay with me for life.

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

More than advertising, it is also something Abhijit told me at Ogilvy. It made so much sense then and continues to do so even today. It's because of this one line that I love working on diverse brands from diverse categories from generators to logistics to automotive to finance "Advertising is the only business that pays you to learn about so many other business." Welcome to the only industry where a managing director from IIT listens intently to a high school dropout.

Shormistha Mukherjee, co-founnder and director, Flying Cursor Interactive

Who has been your most influential mentor in the ad industry, and how did they shape your creative approach and professional journey?

I think the two most eccentric people in advertising are the ones I have been most influenced by. Shantakumar who used to be my super boss in Saatchi and SG who was my other boss there. They both taught me that you can't be inward-looking in advertising. Your influences can't just come from other ads or award shows. They have come from things you love, and you must love many things. Biking, books, movies, art, cars, poetry, yoga, cats. The more influences you allow yourself to be open to, the more you bring things that you see around you into your work, and the better you are as a creative person.

What’s the most valuable lesson you've learned in the advertising industry, and how has it shaped your professional life?

To remember that there is no one solution to anything. There could be a million ways to say something, to solve, to create something. So don't get attached to what you do. Create what you feel is the best. And then be ready to realise that there could be another way to do it.