India Internet News
ASCI is now available on Facebook and Twitter
01 June 2011
Wandering advertisers could face more heat from industry watchdog ASCI, which has jumped on the social networking media, promoting youths to denounce questionable campaigns from its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
During a month of its introduction on Facebook and Twitter, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) already got ten times of more ads complaints when compared to the previous 15-20 complaints average from people and commercials with 12 ads in a month.
ASCI General Secretary Allan Collaco made the statement to PTI saying, "By being on the social networking sites, ASCI is targeting the youth who are very active on such platforms to come up and register comments or complaints against advertisements and thus help in regulating the industry." According to him, the ASCI's Facebook and Twitter account reaction has been very encouraging until now. He said, "In order to make people aware about the new initiative, ASCI will launch a mass media campaign in the next 10-15 days."
For example, Facebook wall of ASCI is filled with users comments from the advertising fellowship on the recent changes in the industry, problems and concerns.
There are even a lots of comments asking for a ban on ads that are nasty, vulgar and suggestive and violating the ASCI's code of self-regulation.
When interrogated regarding the comments that was received about the ads from various deodorant makers, Collaco replied, "We have sent notices to companies against advertisements that breach ASCI code and have received flak from viewers. But as per the rules, we have to give them 15 days to respond and only after that the council can take the issue forward."
According to news, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry sent a letter to ASCI, demanding the action to be taken against a bunch of deodorant companies that still use picturing women as 'objects of desire' in their advertisements and in a very dull light.