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ASCI: 41 ads come under scanner; 6 withdrawn and 7 modified
MUMBAI: The period between April-June 2009 has seen a total of 41 ads come under the scanner, reveals the latest report from The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). While six ads out of the 41 have been withdrawn, seven have undergone modification.
The ads that have been withdrawn include a television commercial for Videocon Washing Machine, Diageo and Rajasthan Patrika. According to the report, while Videocon was unable to substantiate the claim that the products qualify to be eco-friendly, the ad for Diageo appeared to be a surrogate ad for a liquor brand. For Rajasthan Patrika, the circulation figures for NaiDunia, Indore and NavDunia, Bhopal, as mentioned in the advertisement were neither certified by ABC nor were the figures ever released by NaiDunia Media. The advertisement also intended to mar the image of competitors. The period has also seen the discontinuation of United Spirits advertorial, a TVC for Telemax and the Hyundai Motor India ad for Verna. Meanwhile, the ads that have undergone modification include a TVC for Surya Roshni, a TVC for Bajaj Auto and another ad from Hero Honda. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) has upheld eight ads for the period. These ads are still awaiting assurance from the advertisers/ad agencies ensuring that the claims will not be repeated. The CCC did not uphold 18 ads.
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
