He was a man of his word: Gozoop’s Ahmed Aftab Naqvi remembers Atul Hegde

The Indian advertising and marketing fraternity continues to mourn the loss of Atul Hegde, Founder of YAAP, with industry leaders remembering him not only as a pioneering entrepreneur but also as a mentor, collaborator and friend. Among the most poignant tributes came from Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, Global CEO and Co-Founder of Gozoop Group, whose company became part of the YAAP ecosystem earlier this year.

Reacting to the news, Naqvi described Hegde as "a dear friend, mentor, and partner," calling his passing a profound loss for the industry.

"A dear friend, mentor, and partner… gone too soon. Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Atul Hegde," Naqvi said in a heartfelt statement.

Remembering Hegde's contributions to India's advertising landscape, Naqvi said he was a visionary entrepreneur who consistently stayed ahead of the curve and believed in building with conviction. He credited Hegde with successfully realising the ambitious vision of creating India's own homegrown advertising network, a dream that has left a lasting impact on the country's digital marketing ecosystem.

"His vision of creating India's own homegrown advertising network was bold and ambitious and he succeeded in making that vision a reality. It is a vision that will continue to live on through the people he inspired and the institution he built," Naqvi said.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Naqvi remembered Hegde as someone defined by integrity and compassion.

"Beyond his professional achievements, he was a man of his word, a man with a big heart, and one of the kindest people. His passion, energy, and relentless drive inspired countless founders, marketers, and professionals across the industry, and the legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire generations," he added.

Naqvi concluded his tribute by offering condolences to Hegde's family, friends and the entire YAAP Group.

The tribute holds particular significance given the close professional relationship the two leaders shared following YAAP's acquisition of Gozoop Group in March 2026. Touted as the largest transaction in India's independent digital agency space, the deal brought together YAAP's performance marketing capabilities with Gozoop's creative expertise, strengthening the group's integrated marketing offerings. The acquisition also marked the coming together of two entrepreneur-led organisations with a shared ambition to build globally competitive Indian marketing businesses.

Just two weeks before his passing, Hegde had reflected on this journey in what would become one of his final public LinkedIn posts. Celebrating YAAP's listing on the NSE Emerge as India's first independent digital agency network to go public, he described the bell-ringing ceremony as a defining milestone. He also highlighted the Gozoop acquisition, strong financial performance and the company's investments in technology, while acknowledging the integration of Gozoop and commending Naqvi and his leadership team.

Ending the post with characteristic optimism, Hegde had written, "The bell wasn't the finish line. We are just getting started."

Today, those words stand as a lasting reminder of a leader whose vision extended far beyond milestones, and whose legacy continues to shape the future of India's advertising and marketing industry.