Ad veteran Walter Saldanha no more

Walter Saldanha, founder of Chaitra Advertising Private Limited, now Leo Burnett India, passed away on Dec 28. He was 93 years old.

In 2001, he founded the Asian Institute of Communication and Research, better known as AICAR Business School. He started his career as a typist in 1947, a few months short of his 16th birthday.

In 1951 he joined the advertising agency J Walter Thompson (JWT India) as secretary to a senior account executive. He worked with JWT in various roles, he was also instrumental in setting up JWT operations in Srilanka. In 1972 he decided to set up his own advertising agency Chaitra Advertising.

Brendan Pereira, who co-founded the agency with Saldanha, passed away in July.

By 1983 Chaitra Advertising was among the top 10 advertising agencys in India. In the late 90s Chaitra Advertising was acquired by Leo Burnett, one of the leading advertising agencies in the world.

In 2001 he setup the Asian Instiute of Communication & Research, better known as AICAR Business School. He had also been a member of the Board of Directors for Aptech Limited.

The funeral will be held on January 3 with viewing and mass at St Theresa's Church in Bandra West. He will be laid to rest at the St Andrew's Cemetary thereafter.