AD Agencies
Supreme court mandates ad self-declaration certificates to ensure creative compliance
Mumbai: The Supreme Court of India has issued a new directive requiring self-declaration certificates for all advertisements released after 18 June 2024. This mandate aims to ensure that advertising content is free from misleading claims.
The directive exempts existing advertisements from the self-declaration requirement, applying only to new ads. Failure to comply could result in legal repercussions.
mFilterIt, a global leader in brand safety and ad fraud prevention solutions, empowers brands to protect their brands, maximize campaign effectiveness, and achieve their marketing goals in a safe and transparent digital environment. The company’s TickR, an AI-powered solution, simplifies creative compliance by offering automated checks for adherence to various guidelines, including those set by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Surveyor General of India, brand-specific guidelines, and advertising platform best practices.
TickR automates compliance monitoring, ensuring all ads are reviewed within minutes. This saves advertisers valuable time and resources while guaranteeing adherence to best practices, ultimately leading to higher returns on investment (ROI).
“This new mandate underscores the importance of transparency and responsible advertising practices,” said mFilterIt CEO & co-founder Amit Relan. He further added, “Advertisers who fail to comply risk legal repercussions and damage to their brand reputation. mFilterIt goes beyond regulatory compliance by offering influencer monitoring. This feature helps identify potential digital advertising and brand guideline violations like ad disclosure mention, etc.”
By leveraging TickR, advertisers can safeguard their brand reputation, optimize creative performance for better results, and avoid legal implications from non-compliance. Furthermore, TickR streamlines and automates the ad creative compliance checking process before rollout and makes the self-declaration certificate submission process seamless with help build trust and transparency in the advertising ecosystem.
AD Agencies
Goafest 2026 set for 20–22 May in Goa
South Asia’s marquee advertising festival returns with ABBY Awards powered by One Show and promises bigger conversations on creativity and innovation
GOA: The advertising industry’s annual pilgrimage is locked in. The 19th edition of Goafest will take place in Goa from 20 to 22 May 2026, bringing together the biggest names in advertising, media and marketing for three days of ideas, networking and celebration.
Announced jointly by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), the festival will once again host the ABBY Awards powered by One Show 2026 — widely regarded as the region’s most coveted creative honours — recognising outstanding work across advertising and media.
Launched in 2006, Goafest has evolved into the industry’s marquee gathering, drawing more than 2,000 professionals each year. Beyond the awards, the event has become a forum for big debates, future-facing ideas and the occasional industry soul-searching.
Srinivasan K Swamy, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India, said the festival remains a crucible for industry thought and collaboration. “Goafest has always been a melting pot of ideas, creativity and camaraderie. We aim to spark new conversations, fresh perspectives and fuel the future of advertising and marketing. It is an occasion for the industry to come together, celebrate excellence and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our craft.”
Dheeraj Sinha, president of The Advertising Club, underlined the legacy of the ABBY Awards, now in their 57th year. “Goafest has always been synonymous with creativity, collaboration and industry excellence. The ABBY Awards powered by One Club continue to push boundaries and set new creative benchmarks year after year. In its 57th year, the awards continue to raise the bar, and this year’s edition will be even more inspiring, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry.”
For organisers, the festival has grown beyond a calendar event. Jaideep Gandhi, vice president of AAAI and chairman of the Goafest 2026 organising committee and founder of Another Idea, said the property has become a legacy for the industry. “In its 19th year, Goafest is no longer just an event — it is a legacy we are privileged to carry forward. It is a unifying force that brings together the various industry associations across advertising and marketing under one roof. I am deeply grateful to the stalwarts who envisioned this remarkable property, and it is heartening that some of them continue to be actively involved in its journey.”
The organisers promise that the upcoming edition will dial things up a notch. Mohit Joshi, co-chair of the Goafest 2026 organising committee and chief executive officer of Havas Media India, said the festival is gearing up for a bigger, more immersive format. “Over the past 18 editions, Goafest has evolved into a premier platform that celebrates creativity, innovation and the dynamic transformation of our industry. This year Goafest will be more impactful than ever. It will introduce new formats, immersive engagements and high-calibre discussions that have never been done before.”
“With a larger scale, an inspiring line-up of speakers and a focus on cutting-edge ideas,” Joshi added, “Goafest 2026 is set to redefine the way our industry comes together to learn, collaborate and celebrate.”
Co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, the festival continues to position itself as South Asia’s premier advertising gathering — where ideas collide, creativity gets crowned and the industry takes a long, hard look at where it is headed next.
