MAM
ASCI asks P&G to withdraw or modify Oral B ad
MUMBAI: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has asked Proctor & Gamble (P&G) to withdraw or modify its Oral-B advertisement campaign for violating ASCI’s advertising code. Acting on a complaint against the print and TV advertisement, the ASCI noted that the claim of “9 out 10 dentists agree that Oral B – Pro Health is the best toothpaste in India” was misleading as it was based on a faulty survey. ASCI upheld the complaint against the advertisement as it contravened Chapter 1.4 of the advertising code.
ASCI said, “The claim of ‘9 out 10 dentists agree that Oral B – Pro Health is the best toothpaste in India’ based on Dentists survey conducted by A C Nielsen in 2013, was considered misleading as the design of the survey itself was faulty. This was a survey conducted of a captive audience attending Oral B launch conference and post one trial-brushing. The Advertiser has been asked to withdraw or to modify appropriately the said TVC and the print Ad by 23rd January 2014.”
Indian Dental Association (IDA) hon general secretary Dr Ashok Dhoble said, “While exaggeration in advertising is widespread today, it is important that advertisers do not mislead the public with false claims. Any claim found to be false and misleading not only reflects poorly on the advertiser, it can deceive general public.”
He added, “The IDA is the apex body of dental professionals in India with over 100,000 dentists as members and we are disappointed that a leading advertiser like P&G used faulty research to make false claims about its recently introduced toothpaste brand, Oral-B. The ad not only misguides the public but also misrepresents the views of the dental profession in India. Such deceptive and unethical practices should be avoided.”
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) is a self-regulatory council, which sets advertisement standards for the industry.
Digital
Truecaller opens Business Chat platform to global partners and enterprises
Expansion aims to replace SMS with trusted, rich and conversational messaging
MUMBAI: Truecaller has expanded access to its Business Chat platform, opening it up to global channel partners and enterprise solution providers as it looks to reshape how businesses connect with customers.
The move allows partners worldwide to offer the platform to enterprise clients, enabling a shift away from traditional SMS towards a more interactive, verified and media-rich communication experience. The company is positioning this as a higher-trust alternative in an increasingly cluttered digital landscape.
With over 500 million active users globally, Truecaller is betting on its scale and daily engagement to give brands a more direct and credible way to reach consumers. The platform supports contextual conversations, real-time insights and engagement metrics, allowing businesses to fine-tune communication across the customer journey.
“The definition of success for modern enterprises has evolved. It’s no longer just about delivery but about earning attention and driving meaningful engagement,” said Truecaller global head, GTM Priyam Bose. He added that opening the platform to partners creates a gateway for brands to connect with users in a more trusted and action-oriented environment.
The expansion is already underway, with partners such as Gupshup and OneXtel live in India, while Globe Teleservices, Cloudcom and Sling Africa are driving adoption in international markets.
By equipping partners with data-driven tools and a conversational interface, Truecaller aims to help businesses cut through noise and build stronger customer relationships. The platform also promises a cleaner, more secure interaction layer, addressing long-standing concerns around spam and trust in business messaging.
As enterprises rethink customer engagement in a post-SMS world, Truecaller’s latest push signals a clear ambition to become a central player in conversational commerce.
