Sudhanshu Vats ASCI President: Learn about his appointment, ASCI’s new initiatives like AdWise, and its role in promoting ethical advertising and consumer trust in India.
Sudhanshu Vats Appointed President of ASCI, Subramanyeswar Vice Chair
Introduction
Sudhanshu Vats, Managing Director of Pidilite Industries Ltd, has been appointed as the new President of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). This announcement was made during ASCI’s 39th Annual General Meeting, ahead of the council’s 40th anniversary in October 2025. The move comes at a time when the advertising ecosystem is rapidly evolving, making self-regulation and ethical advertising practices more important than ever.
Leadership Changes at ASCI
In addition to Vats’ appointment, S Subramanyeswar, Group CEO of MullenLowe Global, has been named Vice Chairman. Paritosh Joshi, Principal at Provocateur Advisory, has been appointed Honorary Treasurer. These leadership changes signify ASCI’s commitment to strengthening its governance and enhancing its role in promoting responsible advertising practices across India.
ASCI’s Vision for the Future
Vats emphasized the importance of ASCI’s role in the evolving advertising landscape. He stated, “As advertising evolves with new technologies and formats, our responsibility is to ensure it is executed with integrity—centered around the product promise, respectful of the community, and mindful of consumers.” He further highlighted that in an environment where trust is easily shaken, self-regulation provides both guidance to the industry and assurance to the public.
Initiatives to Strengthen Advertising Standards
To mark its milestone year, ASCI announced several key initiatives aimed at strengthening advertising standards and consumer trust:
- Children’s Media Literacy Program: Launch of the AdWise programme to train over one million school students in advertising and media literacy, enabling them to critically evaluate advertising messages.
- Gen Alpha Research: An ethnographic study focused on Gen Alpha to design a framework for responsible advertising for the new generation growing up with technology and screens.
- Geographic Expansion: ASCI will expand its presence in Bengaluru and New Delhi, strengthening its reach across key markets.
Conclusion
As ASCI celebrates its 40th anniversary, the appointment of Sudhanshu Vats as President marks a significant step towards reinforcing the council’s commitment to ethical advertising practices. With new leadership and strategic initiatives, ASCI aims to navigate the challenges of the modern advertising landscape while upholding the values of integrity and consumer trust.
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Why This News Is Important
Reinforcement of Ethical Advertising
The appointment of Sudhanshu Vats as President of ASCI underscores the council’s commitment to promoting ethical advertising practices. In an era where advertising content is increasingly scrutinized, ASCI’s role in ensuring that advertisements are truthful, non-deceptive, and socially responsible is more crucial than ever.
Leadership with Industry Experience
Vats brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as Managing Director of Pidilite Industries Ltd. His leadership is expected to steer ASCI towards more effective self-regulation and enhanced industry collaboration, fostering an environment where ethical advertising can thrive.
Focus on Consumer Trust
With the rapid evolution of advertising technologies and formats, maintaining consumer trust has become a significant challenge. ASCI’s emphasis on self-regulation aims to provide both guidance to the industry and assurance to the public, reinforcing the importance of consumer-centric advertising.
Educational Initiatives for Future Generations
The launch of the AdWise programme to educate over one million school students in advertising and media literacy is a proactive step towards building a more informed audience. By equipping young minds with the tools to critically evaluate advertising messages, ASCI is fostering a generation that values and demands responsible advertising.
Strategic Expansion for Greater Reach
ASCI’s decision to expand its presence in Bengaluru and New Delhi reflects its commitment to broadening its influence and ensuring that its standards are upheld across key markets. This geographic expansion will enable ASCI to engage with a wider audience and address regional advertising challenges more effectively.
Historical Context
Foundation of ASCI
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was established in 1985 as a self-regulatory body for the advertising industry in India. Its primary objective is to ensure that advertisements are truthful, non-deceptive, and socially responsible, thereby protecting consumer interests and promoting fair competition.
Evolution of Advertising Standards
Over the years, ASCI has played a pivotal role in shaping the advertising landscape in India. It has developed a comprehensive code of conduct for advertisers and has been instrumental in addressing consumer complaints related to misleading or offensive advertisements.
Adapting to Technological Changes
With the advent of digital media and new advertising technologies, ASCI has continually adapted its guidelines to address emerging challenges. The council has expanded its focus to include online advertising, influencer marketing, and the ethical use of data in advertising, ensuring that its standards remain relevant in the digital age.
Recent Initiatives
In recent years, ASCI has launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing advertising standards and consumer trust. These include the establishment of a consumer complaints council, the development of a digital media literacy program, and the introduction of a framework for responsible advertising targeted at younger audiences.
Looking Ahead
As ASCI celebrates its 40th anniversary, the organization continues to evolve in response to the dynamic advertising environment. Under the leadership of Sudhanshu Vats, ASCI is poised to strengthen its role as a guardian of ethical advertising practices, ensuring that the interests of consumers remain at the forefront of the advertising industry.
Key Takeaways from “Sudhanshu Vats Appointed President of ASCI”
| No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sudhanshu Vats has been appointed as the new President of ASCI, succeeding Partha Sinha. |
| 2 | S Subramanyeswar of MullenLowe Global has been named Vice Chairman, and Paritosh Joshi of Provocateur Advisory is the new Honorary Treasurer. |
| 3 | ASCI is celebrating its 40th anniversary and has announced initiatives like the AdWise programme to educate over one million students in advertising literacy. |
| 4 | Vats emphasized the importance of self-regulation in maintaining consumer trust amidst evolving advertising technologies. |
| 5 | ASCI plans to expand its presence in Bengaluru and New Delhi to strengthen its reach across key markets. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who has been appointed as the new President of ASCI?
Sudhanshu Vats, former Managing Director of Pidilite Industries Ltd, has been appointed as the new President of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
2. Who is the Vice Chairman of ASCI as per the latest announcement?
S Subramanyeswar, Group CEO of MullenLowe Global, has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of ASCI.
3. What is the main objective of ASCI?
ASCI’s primary objective is to ensure that advertisements in India are truthful, non-deceptive, and socially responsible, protecting consumer interests and promoting fair competition.
4. What is the AdWise programme introduced by ASCI?
The AdWise programme is an initiative to train over one million school students in advertising and media literacy, helping them critically evaluate advertising messages.
5. Which cities will ASCI expand its presence to?
ASCI plans to expand its presence to Bengaluru and New Delhi to strengthen its influence across key markets.
6. What anniversary is ASCI celebrating in 2025?
ASCI is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025.
7. Why is the appointment of Sudhanshu Vats significant?
His appointment reflects ASCI’s focus on ethical advertising, industry self-regulation, and maintaining consumer trust in a rapidly evolving advertising landscape.
8. What other leadership position has been announced along with President and Vice Chairman?
Paritosh Joshi, Principal at Provocateur Advisory, has been appointed as the Honorary Treasurer of ASCI.
9. How does ASCI handle misleading advertisements?
ASCI has a consumer complaints council and follows a self-regulatory code to investigate and resolve complaints against misleading or offensive advertisements.
10. What is the Gen Alpha research initiative by ASCI?
It is an ethnographic study aimed at designing a framework for responsible advertising targeted at Generation Alpha, who are growing up with advanced technology and screens.
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