MAM
Asci seeks to collaborate with govt on misleading ads
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The government has been pressing for a new set of guidelines to check misleading ads. Now ad industry watchdog Asci wants to collaborate with the other stakeholders, including the government, to seek solutions that would make the self-regulatory mechanisms more effective and efficient.
The Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci) said Wednesday it is seeking consultation and collaboration from the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to support and encourage self regulatory mechanism on advertisement content.
Earlier, the Prime Minister‘s office (PMO) had given a directive to the DCA to frame some guidelines to check misleading advertisements in the print and electronic media. Asci was expectedly irate with the move.
Now, as part of its collaborative effort with the government and civil society, Asci is organising a conference – ‘Strengthening Self Regulation of Advertising Content‘ – in Delhi on 17 November, in which speakers and participants will comprise regulators, legislators, activists and members connected with the advertising profession.
Asci chairman I Venkat said, “It has become necessary to make regulators, legislators, consumer activist organisations and advertising industry members aware of the work ASCI is doing and motivate them to use ASCI‘s services at all possible points to encourage the self regulatory mechanism on advertisements. We have invited Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and Minister of State for Consumer Affairs KV Thomas, along with other stakeholders to seek solutions on how to make the self regulatory mechanism of ASCI even more effective and efficient.”
Asci vice chairman Arvind Sharma added, “Over years we have conveyed and convinced the government authorities that self regulation is the best way to keep a check on misleading ads. We have always worked in collaboration with the government bodies for the public welfare and will continue to do so”.
MAM
Ad:tech honours 2026: Full list of winners announced
Expanded awards spotlight winners across 22 categories as industry doubles down on intelligent automation
NEW DELHI: Marketing’s tech elite took the spotlight as the ad:tech honours 2026 returned with a sharper focus on AI, data and immersive media, signalling how deeply technology now underpins brand strategy. Held at Yashobhoomi on March 17, the second edition drew industry leaders to celebrate innovation that is reshaping engagement and performance.
Presented with the International Advertising Association India chapter and new partner Huella, the awards expanded from 8 to 22 categories, tracking the rapid convergence of creativity, automation and analytics.
The winners’ list reads like a snapshot of marketing’s future. In affiliate and partner marketing, Lyxel & Flamingo – Boat and Paytm Ads – Giva took silver. Mobavenue Media Private Limited struck gold in AI-driven dynamic creative optimisation, alongside a silver for Laqshya Media Limited.
Creative AI collaboration saw Rediffusion Brand Solutions Private Limited win gold, with Saltinc Consulting Private Limited securing silver. Laqshya Media Limited continued its strong run, taking gold in AI conversation agents and adding multiple wins across categories, including silver in GenAI-led creative and both gold and silver in interactive DOOH campaigns for Tanishq and Tata Coffee.
Predictive AI honours went to Strong Metrics and Tyroo, both silver, while Orient Bell Limited picked up silver in immersive retail tech. In GenAI-led creative, Laqshya Media Limited, Salt – Kotak and Sumimoto each secured silver, reflecting the crowded race in generative creativity.
Publicis bagged silver in influencer management and gold in performance marketing, where it shared the stage with Arm Worldwide and The Trade Desk, both silver. Glad U Came Private Limited stood out with gold in influencer measurement and analytics.
Marketing automation saw CereOne Media Pvt. Ltd. and Globale Media win silver, while ADMOTT Private Limited claimed silver in OTT innovation.
Programmatic media categories highlighted the shift to advanced targeting and connected screens. Mobavenue Media Private Limited clinched gold in connected TV advertising, with Animmoov Digital Media Pvt Ltd – Asus and Lyxel and Flamingo taking silver. Cheggout Services Private Limited won silver in retail media advertising, while Paytm Ads – Versuni secured gold.
On social platforms, Vayner Media India took gold in community and UGC engagement, with Under 25 – Oppo winning silver. Segumento rounded off the list with silver in the innovation category.
Jaswant Singh, country managing director at ad:tech India, underscored the momentum, saying generative AI and data-driven decision-making are now central to marketing impact. Neena Dasgupta, IAA mancom member and chief executive and founder at The Salt Inc Consulting, added that the awards celebrate not just technology, but “the people, the creativity, and the relentless effort behind it.”
Backed by Comexposium Group, ad:tech New Delhi has long tracked digital disruption. Now, with the honours, it is rewarding those who are not just adapting to change but engineering it.
In an industry racing towards automation, the message from 2026 is unmistakable. The future of marketing will be written not just in ideas, but in algorithms.
