By A Correspondent
Veteran adperson Conrad Saldanha passed away in Auckland on Sunday evening. He was hospitalised with a brief illness. Rich tributes have been paid by industry persons, many of who owe their careers to Saldanha.
Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO, Havas Group – India/South East Asia/North Asia:
There are very few people that spellbind you instantly with their radiance, charm and genuineness. Human, kind, sincere, caring – the list could go on and on. That was Conrad.
Such was his gravitation that I don’t know when and how a relationship that began 28 years ago as a management trainee turned into being and believing in him as a parent.
The 7pm whisky, the cricket we saw together, the laughs we shared, the immense love for my daughters, the reprimands and advice replay endlessly
He taught the world and me how to always stay young.
A loss for the industry, his friends and his colleagues.
For me, I lost my Dad
Harsha Bhogle, cricket commentator, consultant, former adperson:
When I joined Rediffusion, I was petrified of Conrad.
I thought he was stern and hard. I was to learn later what a facade that was! Conrad was kind, understanding and played a big part in making generations of entrants to Rediffusion feel comfortable.
He was as much a guide as a boss. Our WhatsApp group is in grief but also full of stories of his help, his support and his guidance.
He was, just simply, a good man
Ambba Kuthiala, General Manager APAC, Talenthouse:
There can be only one Conrad Saldanha (fondly known as Connie) in this world.
If you were tired he was your go to guy, If you are feeling low & lost at work? Connie was the man. Need advice? Need help? Or need a drink? Or need many drinks to cheer you up? Or just simply bored and lonely? Go to Connie. Everyone in the industry and our agency knew that you could find Connie at “Gallops” or “The Jewel of India” after six in case you needed a kind and a good listener. It did not matter if you were young or old, or if you were a client or a colleague……Connie was a ray of cheer for everyone
And this pattern continued even when Connie and Lynett visited me in Singapore. After a long stressful daym I would go home to find Connie at home fixing me a drink or russling up a meal or waiting with a goody bag to cheer me up. He was sent there as my guardian angel to help me settle in.
A man with many endearing names- “Papa bear” “Cuddly & warm” “Toughie with a heart of gold” “drinking buddy”…..
You touched everyone’s life in your special way…….
Cheers to you Connie wherever you go…… I am sure there will be many waiting to welcome you with a hearty drink and a warm smile.
The ad industry has truly lost its lustre with your precious loss.