MAM
89.5% influencers witness a dip in engagement post ASCI guidelines: IPLIX survey
Mumbai: Influencer marketing and talent management agency, IPLIX Media has released insights from an independent survey on influencer sentiment post-release of ASCI guidelines 2021. According to the survey, nearly 89.5 per cent of influencers witnessed a dip in engagement on their content since ASCI guidelines went live. However, over 56.7 per cent of respondents (influencers) said that they found the ASCI guidelines to be helpful, while 35.3 per cent admitted that it needs more structure and transparency. 43.3 per cent of influencers were unsure about the penalties or the repercussions they may face for not adhering to the guidelines further indicating the need for more clarity.
The pan India survey included metros and tier 1, 2, and 3 cities across 200+ influencers.
When it comes to content format, in 2020, both long-format and short-format garnered engagement for creators with the latter slowly taking lead. In terms of content categories – Fashion & Beauty (54.2 per cent), Comedy (20.9 per cent) & Travel (18.9 per cent) are the top three categories of the respondents. The majority of these influencers are creating somewhere between 20-40 per cent of branded content.
On the survey that drove insights from micro, macro, and nano influencers across the country, IPLIX Media LLP co-founder Neel Gogia said, “ASCI guidelines are a welcome step forward in introducing transparency and authenticity across the content creation ecosystem. However, there were certain aspects on which more clarity was required. The insights from the survey clearly reveal demand for a structured approach to put this into motion and a better understanding of the penalties.”
When it came to brand associations, 34.3 per cent of influencers rated ‘relevance’ at the top with consistency closely following behind. With a more aware audience set, content creators are generating the content, even branded, that sticks, builds loyalty, and represents their true self. Before the ASCI mandate, 48.3 per cent of influencers revealed that only 10 per cent of brands they worked with opted to tag content as sponsored.
Social satirist Saloni Gaur said that the audience these days is smart enough to figure out what’s sponsored and what’s not even before adding a paid partnership tag. “I agree with the fact that ASCI guidelines are still not clear to many of us. But, from an audience’s point of view, it’s a good step and definitely adds more transparency,” Gaur said.
“As for the revenue part, I certainly thought that some brands would not undertake associations because they don’t want the paid partnership tag on our posts, but I’m glad to say they have adapted really well to these guidelines. In addition to this, I also thought that this will reduce the engagement significantly as people tend to leave the video as soon as they hear any brand name, but this hasn’t been the case for me,” she added.
BB Ki Vines- manager & partner Rohit Raj said, “I believe that guidelines are necessary to bring in more structure to the content creation and monetisation ecosystem. However, having worked with some of the top creators in the industry, I believe that we need to approach this in phases. This will help iron out the creases and create a more holistic approach.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
