Sudhanshu Vats named as new chairman of ASCI

Sudhanshu Vats, Managing Director, Pidilite Industries Limited, has been named the new chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) at its 39th annual general meeting (AGM).

With ASCI, India’s self-regulatory body for advertising, completing 40 years in October, the appointment comes in a milestone year, ASCI said.

S. Subramanyeswar, of MullenLowe Global, has been named vice-chairman. Paritosh Joshi, Principal at Provocateur Advisory was named honorary treasurer.

“ASCI’s role has never been more important. 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. In an environment where trust is easily shaken, self-regulation provides both guidance to the industry and assurance to the public,” Mr. Vats said in a statement.

“I look forward to working closely with advertisers, agencies, platforms and consumers to uphold high standards, encourage responsible creativity, and strengthen confidence in advertising. At the heart of this effort is a simple principle — always keep the consumer’s interest front and centre,” he said.

To mark its 40th year, ASCI also announced several key initiatives that it would take up over the next year.