MAM
Consumers can now ‘Snap and WhatsApp’ objectionable ads to ASCI
MUMBAI: Continuing with the mission to protect consumers’ interest, the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) is embracing technology to connect with the consumers and curb misleading advertisements. Consumers can now WhatsApp the objectionable advertisement to +91 77-100-12345.
The launch would be followed by awareness campaigns by means of print advertisement and radio spots with tagline of “Spot Bad Ad? Snap and WhatsApp +91 77100 12345.”
ASCI Chairman Benoy Roychowdhury said at this event, “We are happy to launch the WhatsApp number, close to the World Consumer Rights Day (15th March). ASCI is truly empowering consumers by making it more accessible. Today almost every person with a smartphone is using messaging services such as WhatsApp. Technology makes it possible for them to flag false, misleading or offensive ads instantaneously and anytime anywhere while on the go – be it while reading newspapers at home, on their way to office, listening to radio or watching TV in the evening.”
WhatsApp will serve as only the first touch point for consumers to reach ASCI with their main objections and images of the objectionable advertisement. Consumers can send pictures of print ads, hoardings, packaging or Screen shots of websites, Links of YouTube videos etc.
ASCI team would be scrutinizing these complaints and take it further if found valid as well as having complete details such as name and e:mail ID. The complainant would receive status updates on the complaint by SMS /and email. The WhatsApp number is not meant for commercial purpose. The complaint processing is free for consumers, in line with the ASCI’s mission of promoting self-regulation of advertising content and protecting Consumers’ interest.
Brands
Mother’s Recipe launches Summerwala Sharbat range
Five nostalgic flavours priced at Rs 215 aim to tap summer refreshment demand.
MUMBAI: Call it a sip of summer nostalgia, Mother’s Recipe is bottling childhood memories and pouring them back into the present. The homegrown ethnic food brand has introduced its Summerwala Sharbat range, a five-flavour line-up designed to recreate the familiar tastes and rituals of Indian summers, while catering to modern consumption habits. The range features Mango Panna, Rose Syrup, Jeera Masala Syrup, Khus Syrup and Lemon Ginger Squash, each rooted in flavours that have long defined seasonal refreshment across Indian households. From the tang of raw mango to the cooling comfort of khus, the portfolio leans heavily into recall, not reinvention.
At a time when brands are increasingly leaning on nostalgia as a strategic lever, Mother’s Recipe is positioning Summerwala Sharbat as both a functional beverage and an emotional cue. The idea is simple: revive the small, everyday rituals post-play drinks, family gatherings, the clink of ice in a glass that once defined summer afternoons.
The products are packaged in 750 ml PET bottles and priced at Rs 215, targeting both routine household consumption and social occasions. Distribution spans leading e-commerce platforms as well as select offline retail outlets.
Mother’s Recipe executive director Sanjana Desai said the intent was to bring back flavours tied to “taste, routine and home”, while making them relevant for today’s consumers.
The move reflects a broader shift in the beverages market, where heritage-led storytelling and familiarity are increasingly being used to stand out in a crowded, innovation-heavy category.
With Summerwala Sharbat, Mother’s Recipe isn’t just selling a drink, it’s selling a season, one glass at a time.
