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Tag: Hindustan Unilever

  • Effies 2015: MullenLowe Lintas crowned Agency of the Year

    Effies 2015: MullenLowe Lintas crowned Agency of the Year

    MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year again when the entire advertising, marketing and creative media fraternity converge together to laud the most effective creative work amongst their peers. The Effie Awards, organised by The Advertising Club, has entered its 15th chapter with much pomp and show.

     

    Even as the Effie Awards 2015 left agencies wanting for more Gold trophies as several categories went without any takers in the category, MullenLowe Lintas was crowned Agency of the Year with the most number of metals to its name. Claiming victory over four different categories and tying with themselves on a single, MullenLowe Lintas took home six Gold Effies, followed by five Silver and 13 Bronze trophies, making their overall count 24. The agency’s winning streak was bagging the Grand Effie for the campaign, ‘Drinks and Memories’ for Paperboat under the Integrated Advertising Campaign category.

     

    Amongst marketers, Hindustan Unilever was named as the Client of the Year for its award winning campaigns for various brands.

     

    A total of 15 Gold, 26 Silver and 54 Bronze statuettes were given away at the Effie Awards 2015.

     

    Defending champions, Ogilvy and Mather (O&M) emerged as the agency to take home the most number of metals — four Gold, four Silver and a whopping 20 Bronze statuettes  — taking their award tally to 28.

     

    McCann Worldgroup India was third in line to bag the maximum awards with two Gold, four Silver and four Bronze, followed by DDB Mudra with four Silver and five Bronze. BBDO India took home two Gold, and one Bronze. The last Golden trophy was taken home by Contract Advertising for its campaign for Truecaller under Telecom and related products category.

     

    The Leo Group India bagged two Silver and one Bronze statuettes.

     

    Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi won Silver for the newly introduced category of New Product or Service – ‘Best campaign for a Start up category’ for their offline to online furniture shopping campaign for Pepperfry.com, while MullenLowe Lintas Group India bagged the bronze for ‘Life Mein Campaign’ for Practo. JWT also took home two Bronze.

     

    The Effie India Awards 2015 were adjudged by an eminent jury panel of 285 industry leaders from across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore representing agency and clients. Some of the key categories included were consumer products, consumer durable, services, healthcare, small town and rural marketing etc.

     

    “In an era where marketing budgets are under strain and scrutiny, it is extremely heartening that effectiveness has become the mantra of the marketing and advertising fraternity. The overwhelming response to the Effie 2015 is witness to this, with an all-time high participation of 57 agencies and 603 entries. The fact that the Effie award has become the most coveted trophy on the shelves of marketers and agency alike is the greatest joy for me,” said Effie India Awards 2015 chairman Ajay Kakkar.

     

    Elaborating further on the entries, Effie India Awards 2015 co-chairman Vikram Sakhuja said, “The Effies this time too has it all, the power of insight, non-conventional marketing plans and ultimately a great brand success stories.”

     

    “The business environment is constantly changing and it is imperative that we align ourselves these changes to meet the expectations of our clients. I take this opportunity to appreciate and congratulate all the winners and my industry colleagues who are driving and leading this change,” added The Advertising Club president and Colors CEO Raj Nayak in parting.

  • ASCI upheld complaints against 87 out of 117 advertisements

    ASCI upheld complaints against 87 out of 117 advertisements

    MUMBAI: In August 2015, ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 87 out of 117 advertisements.

     

    Out of the advertisements related complaints received, 37 belonged to the personal and healthcare category, followed by 41  in education and nine  from other categories.

     

    In health and personal care 37 advertisers were found either misleading, false or not adequately substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s code. LG Electronics India, Hindustan Unilever, L’Oreal India, Lotus Herbals and VLCC Ltd were among them.

     

    The CCC found that claims made by 41 advertisers in the education category were not substantiated which violates ASCI Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions. Therefore the complaints were upheld.

     

    The advertisements against which complaints were upheld included HSIL Limited, Bharti Airtel, Amazon Kindle, Corona Plus Industries, Carlsberg India and 3M India Limited amongst others.

     

    Health and personal care:

     

    The CCC found the following claims in health and personal care product or service advertisements of 37advertisers to be either misleading or false or not adequately / scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s Code. Some of the health care products or services advertisements also contravened provisions of the Drug & Magic Remedies Act and Chapter 1.1 and III.4 of the ASCI Code. Complaints against the following advertisements were UPHELD.

     

      1.LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd.  (LG Water Purifiers): The advertisement of LG Water Purifiers claims, “India’s only true water purifier” which was not adequately substantiated.

     

      2. Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (PureitUltima):The TVC of PureitUltima claims, “PureitUltima RO+UV. Sirf is meinhai Purity Indicator josaafsaafdikhatahaikipaanikitna pure hai”, which was false and misleading. Furthermore, the Print advertisement and Website claims, “PureitUltima with Purity Indicator. Purity you can see!” was misleading by implication.

     

      3.L’Oreal India Private Limited (L’Oreal Fall Repair):  The claims in the advertisement, “Its   triple action arginine nourisheshair from its roots, it reduces breakage, hair grow stronger” and “Save up to 2000 hair strands”, were inadequately substantiated and were misleading by ambiguity.

     

      4.Lotus Herbals Limited (Lotus Herbals Youth RX): The claims in the advertisement, “A firmer and younger skin in just seven days” and “In four weeks 96 percent of users have agreed that effects of ageing are almost gone”, were inadequately substantiated.

     

      5.VLCC Ltd Healthcare: The claims in the advertisement, “Listen to your DNA for weightloss. Presenting for the first time VLCC DNA Slim a scientific weight loss solution based on your DNA”, “Running 4KM daily helped your colleague Lose weight. But may only make you lose your cool” and “Lose four kilograms or get your money back”, were considered to be misleading by exaggeration and implication.

     

      6.Sanzyme Ltd (Nutrus Slim Tea): The claims in the advertisement, “Slim”, and “Green Tea reduces the risk of Diabetes and Cancer”, were not substantiated with clinical evidence.

     

      7.Dr. Amit Sharma: The claim in the advertisement, “Completely cure HIV AIDS and any kind of cancer through Ayurveda treatment”, was not substantiated.  Also, specific to the claim related to complete cure of Cancer, the TVC is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      8.Yogis Ayurveda: The claims in the advertisement, “Since 1944 Worldwide Safe & Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Every one – Height increase” and “Takat Da TohfaKesar- Gold Course for newly married couples”, were not substantiated.  Also, specific to the claim related to height increase and for claims implying enhancement of sexual pleasure, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      9.ParthvimedaGauUtpadPvt Ltd. (Pathmeda Products): The claims in the advertisement, “Consume Pathmedagomutra ark regularly to get protected from the incurable diseases like obesity, Diabetes, Heart Diseases and Cancer”, were not substantiated.  Also, specific to the claims implying prevention of obesity, Diabetes, Heart Diseases and Cancer, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      10.Shreeji Herbal Products: The claims in the advertisement, “Shreeji Herbal Products – Stops hair fall in 24 hours – Money back if no results are seen – 100% result on damage caused due to medicines of thyroid – Makes skin whiter in 20 days”, were not substantiated. 

     

      11.Shree BaidyanathAyurvedBhawanPvt Ltd (BaidyanathMedoharGuggulu): The diagrammatic representations of before and after images shown in the advertisement and on the product pack were found to be misleading by exaggeration.

     

      12.Vaidic Clinic: The claims in the advertisement, “100% Ayurvedic Treatment by advanced technique – Premature Ejaculation – Night fall – Problem in penis – Impotency – Sexual weakness – Skin diseases – Arthritis – Female diseases – Piles – Obesity”, were not substantiated. Specific to the claims related to treatment of sexual impotency, Obesity, the advertisement is in Breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.   Also, specific to the claims related to treatment for Piles, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated Schedule J of The Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945. The headline in the advertisement, “100% Ayurvedic Treatment by advanced technique”, was considered to be misleading.

     

      13.Hair Doc Trichology Hair Clinic: The claims in the advertisement which states, “Complete Baldness Treatment”, “White Hair Control”, “Specialized HDHT+ for 100% natural hair growth”, “Awarded with Keshratna”, “Stop Hair loss” and “Advanced Non-Surgical Mesotechnology for Hair Loss Control”, were not substantiated.  The visuals of before and after the treatment were misleading.  Specific to the claims related to complete baldness treatment (a condition referred in Schedule J of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act) is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Cosmetics Rule 106.

     

      14.RV New Visions Healthcare Pvt Ltd: The advertisement states, “After research by Dr. Manju Ray of Kolkata (a reputed scientist of Bose Institute and felicitated by Government of India), the effectiveness of this treatment M.G. (Methy/Glyoxal) has been proved, which was successfully tested at Kolkata as well as at the Chinchwad based hospital of Lokamanya Group of Hospitals. This medicine works very well as complementary to the regular cancer medicines; and treats it”, “Suitable for preventing regrowth of cancer tumor after removing it with surgery”, “It acts as a complementary while starting radiation or chemotherapy, making it more beneficial and helpful in preventing its side effects”, “Starting this treatment immediately is effective when radiation or chemotherapy is not possible”, were not substantiated. Also, specific to the claims for Cancer prevention, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      15.Nityanand Herbals (DiaNitya): The claims in the advertisement, “Miracle in the world DiaNitya – For Diabetes – Instant relief – Made from traditional natural herbs – Helps in reactivating the beta cells – Helps in high consumption of glucose by cells – Works as insulin – No Side effects”,  “Our aim to make the world diabetes free”,  were not substantiated. Also, specific to the claims implying cure for Diabetes, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      16.AsthaAyurved: The claims in the advertisement, “Successful treatment of nil sperms/ less sperms, impotency, premature ejaculation, less stress, looseness, nightfall, semen in urine, less desire of sex, etc. Ovarian/Uterus clot, blocked ovary tube, irregular periods, leucorrhoea/ white discharge, lack of desire in women by ayurvedic technique”, were not substantiated. Also, specific to the claims related to successful treatment for sexual impotency, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      17.Mardana Josh Range of Products: The advertisement’s claims, “Mardana Josh Herbal Majun& Capsule – Increases masculine energy, provides stoppage, increases stimulation and potential, stops premature ejaculation, successful in curing physical weakness”, were not substantiated.  Also, the advertisement claims read in conjunction with the advertisement visual implies that the product is meant for enhancement of sexual pleasure, which is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      18.Dilco Slimming Capsule: The claims in the advertisement, “Dilco Slimming Capsule – Get rid of obesity, immediately – Reduce obesity – Reduce fat – Increase energy – Without any side effect – Without operation – Without crash dieting – Without yoga – Without any exercise”, “Now Obesity, will never trouble you”, “Obesity gets over with Dilco Slimming”, “We have brought a natural and easy way to reduce weight”, “Dilco Slimming melts your fat like wax”, were not substantiated.  The visuals of before and after the treatment were misleading.  Also, specific to the claims related to cure / prevention of Obesity, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      19.SMG Healthcare  (Sugar Haran Kit): The claims in the advertisement, “Sugar Haran- For relief in sugar control, continue with your healthy life style, regular medicines, exercises, nutritious and balanced diet and take only ten drops of Sugar Haran per day”, were not substantiated.

     

      20.Weitrex Forte Capsule & Drops: The claims in the advertisement, “Weitrex Forte Capsule & Drops – Reduce Obesity”, “No Dieting” and “No Side Effects with pure ayurvedic treatment”, were not substantiated.

     

      21.Kiran Homeopathic Clinic: The claims in the advertisement, “Successful treatment of piles, stones, premature ejaculation in men, masturbation, weakness & impotency”, were not substantiated. Specific to the claims related to successful treatment for Piles, the Ad is in breach of the law as it violated Schedule J of The Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945.

     

      22.Sultan Forte: The claims in the advertisement, “Sultan Forte – For the lost energy, passion and stoppage in men/women – Beneficial in nightfall, bad nerves, erectile dysfunction, nil sperms & all kinds of sexual problems”, were not substantiated.  Also, the advertisement claims read in conjunction with the pack visual implies that the product is meant for enhancement of sexual pleasure, which is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      23.Ramban Liquid: The claims in the advertisement, “Get Rid of Drinking – Use Ramban Herbal Liquid Medicine by Vedban Delhi. A person stops drinking forever by using this medicine”, were not substantiated. 

     

      24.NirogAyurvedic Center: The advertisement’s claims, “Treatment for Paralysis now completely possible in Himachal – Patients of Stroke, Non-functioning of legs, hands and tongue, facial muscle drop, loss of control over  urine & stool discharge and other dangerous initial  symptoms of paralysis like: stumbling, shocks, skin crawling, heaviness, numbness etc., can now be saved from paralysis by treating them with Ayurvedic Medicine developed by N.A.C”,  “This medicine removes the dead blood cells and smoothens the blood circulations. It saves from being paralysed by curing the weakened cells after attack”, “This medicine has no side effects and can be consumed with Allopathic Medicines. Clear improvement can be seen within few hours in new patients and within few days in case of old patients by this medicine” and “Epilepsy: Special medicine for all types of brain attacks, frothing in mouth, crooked neck, becoming moony, tongue not working, tremors, weakness of brain by balancing the cells and cures attacks. With the help of this English medicines stop slowly and gradually”, were not substantiated. Also, specific to the claims related to treatment/cure for Paralysis and Epilepsy, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      25.Laborate Pharmaceuticals India Limited (PathriNashak Range of Products): The advertisement’s claims, “Helpful in problems of all kinds of stone”, “Helps in dissolving stone by making it small and by which stone gets removed by the way of urine”,  “Helps in stopping the formation of stone and increases the functioning of kidney”,  “Beneficial in curing all types of urine disorders, inflammations in urine etc”, were not substantiated with clinical data to justify this particular composition for this proprietary product to provide the specific benefits as claimed.

     

      26.Claris Lifesciences limited: The claim in the advertisement, “Industry best in Healthcare” is false as it is ranked #2. The advertisement does not have a disclaimer qualifying the source and date of research for the claim made in the advertisement.

     

      27.Cure Sight Laser Centre: The claims in the advertisement, “Wavelight EX-500 which is US FDA approved and can remove one eye number in just 1.4 second”, were not substantiated.

     

      28.DharampalSatyapal Ltd. (Rajnigandha Pan Masala): The disclaimer in the TVC of Rajnigandha Pan Masala is not legible and contravened the ASCI Guidelines for Supers.

     

      29.Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (Fair & Lovely Men’s Fairness): The visual of “a model in the jeep without wearing seat belt” as depicted in the TVC of Fair and Lovely Men’s Fairness shows an unsafe practice. 

     

      30.BSY Noni India (BSY Noni Black Hair Magic): The claims in the advertisement, “No more chemicals”, “No more bye (black)”, “Used confidently by people in over 28 countries across the World”, “Just ten minutes”, were not substantiated. 

     

      31.Alaska Water Marketing (Amazing Water): The claims in the advertisement, “First Time in India”and “Amazing Water – Anti-Oxidant – Anti-Ageing – 7 X Faster Hydration – Increase Performance & Energy – Enhanced Electrolyzed Alkaline Functional Water – More PH More Healthy”, were not substantiated.

     

      32.Berry’s Skin Care Clinic: The claim in the advertisement, “White spots (Leukoderma), Psoriasis – Product awarded with Indira Gandhi award”, was not substantiated with authentic support data. The advertisement further claims the product to be the only Ayurvedic formula which gives 100% results. They further claim, “Cure completely from its roots”, “No chances for reoccurrence”, “No need to consume medicines for years”, were not substantiated. In addition to these claims, “Certified by Government of Dubai”, was not substantiated with authentic support data. Also, specific to the claims related to complete cure of White Spots, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violated The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.

     

      33.Abdan Pharmacare Private Limited: The claim in the advertisement, “Abdan Hair Tonic – Stops hair fall – Stop balding – Increases memory by dendrite cells”, was not substantiated with proof of efficacy. 

     

      34.Torque Pharmaceuticals (U B Fair): It was concluded that the name “U-B Fair” does not have FDA approval nor is it stated on the product licence.  The name of the product itself presents it as a Fairness product (U-B Fair) and along with the claims in body copy of various advertisements, promotes its use for several cosmetic benefits. The product contains topical steroids which are potentially dangerous when used over a prolonged period. Thus, the name of the product “UB Fair” and information provided in the advertisement was found to encourage its unsafe use. It was also concluded that the advertisement is misleading and is likely to exploit the lack of knowledge among consumers. In additions, specific to the reference of this “drug product” for fairness claim, the advertisement is in violation of Schedule J clause 18 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

     

      35.Vishal Personal Care Pvt Ltd (Banjaras Hair Oil): The claim in the advertisement, “Banjara’sSamvridhi Hair Oil with Ayurvedic herbs and oils that gives upto eight centimetre of hair growth in just eight weeks”, was not substantiated adequately and was misleading by ambiguity.

     

      36.Johnson & Johnson Ltd (Aveeno Active Naturals): The claims mentioned on the pack and as cited in the complaint, state “Aveeno Active Naturals are ingredients derived from nature” for the declared active ingredient on the pack “Dimethicone” which is not considered to be natural was false and not substantiated.

     

      37.Rafael Medicare Centre: The advertisement’s claim, “An option beyond Bypass & Stents EECP Treatment”, is misleading since the indications for this treatment are limited. The advertisement also claims, “Safest, USA- FDA Approved Treatment for Chest Pain (Angina) & Heart Failure”, which was not substantiated.

     

    Education

     

    The CCC found that claims in the advertisements by 41 advertisers were not substantiated and, thus, violated ASCI Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions. Hence complaints against these advertisements were UPHELD.

     

      1.Personaliteez: The advertisement’s claim, “Making 2 lakhs per weekend”, was not substantiated. 

     

      2.Peoples Empowerment Group – ISB&M School of Technology: The claims in the advertisement, “100% Placement” and “ISB&M School of Technology Ranked 8th in Emerging Engineering Institutes in India”, were not substantiated.

     

      3.NIPS  School of Hotel Management: The claims in the advertisement,  “World Record Holder”,  “Ranked No. 1 Eastern India the Pioneer Newpaper 2014”,  “Best Placement Award- By South Asian Academy, New Delhi, 2012”,  “Ranked No. 2 Among India’s Private Hotel Management Institute – The Pioneer Newspaper – 2013”,  “Holder of Limca, Asia & India Books Of Records”,  “Eastern India’s Best Hotel Management College- Awarded By Brands Academy, New Delhi – 2013”, “Winner 8th National Education Award- Awarded by NEA, New Delhi- 2014”,  “Winner National W.B Education Award- Awarded by NEA, New Delhi – 2014” and “Worldwide Hospitality Award- Awarded by WWHA, Paris, France- 2003”, were not adequately substantiated with evidence.

     

      4.The Mentor’s Academy: The claims in the advertisement stating, “Get a reputed Government job. Get Bank, Railway, Police etc. in just one day exam”, and “100% Money Back Guarantee”, were not substantiated.

     

      5.CL Educate Ltd (Career Launcher): The claims in the advertisement stating, “CAT Test Series – The No.1 CAT Test Series Program”, “Most recommended test series”, “Rated the best by students” and “True percentile predictor”, were not substantiated adequately.

     

      6.SCMS School of Engineering & Technology: The claim, “Kerala’s No. 1 Engineering College (SF) in quality and excellence”, was not substantiated with comparative data..Theclaim, “SCMS is ranked No. 1 in all ranking surveys conducted by RECCA-NIT”, was not substantiated with supporting data and also the claim is misleading by omission of what the ranking was specific to.

     

      7.Invertis University: The advertisement claims, “National Education Award 2014 for Outstanding B-School &Engg. Univ. – ABP”, “4 Star Ranking – The Pioneer”, “Bharat ShikshRatan–Velidictedby GAF, Delhi” and “Best Emerging University Of North India – Indian Achievers Podium”, were not adequately substantiated and were misleading by omission of disclaimers.

     

      8.Career Institute for Commerce & Accounting: The claim in the Advertisement, “AIR-26, 30, 36, 37, 41, 42” as a declaration is considered to be fake and not substantiated with supporting data. 

     

    Complaints against advertisements of all educational institutes listed below mostly are upheld because of unsubstantiated claims that they ‘provide 100% placement/AND/OR they claim to be the No.1 in their respective fields’:

     

    Vidyalankar Classes, Vivekananda Degree & PG College, Aim Entertainment Acting Academy, Learn & Earn Academy, Master of Science Information & Technology, Mediit Educational Institute,ADCC Infocad Private Limited (ADCC Academy), Wisdom Institute, Sri Shakthi Institute Of Engineering & Technology, Ponjesly College of Engineering, Vidyalankar Classes, One Dream, Blue Bells Innovative School, UEI Global Education, Tajinder Bhatia Achieve Max, Vidya Knowledge Park, MIST Plus, Happy Child College of Nursing, Sai Wellness Education, The Prayag International Institute of Hotel &Tourism, All India Computer Trainers Association, IPCA Accountancy, Millennium Institute of Management, Banda Para College Medical, KIPM College of Engineering & Technology, ISC CNC Training Centre, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Power Training Institute Corporate Centre, Centre for Bioinformatics, SKML Defence Academy, Mangayarkarasi Educational Trust (Mangayarkarasi College of Arts & Science), NIV Foundations (NIV School of Hospitality Management) and Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (Delhi School of Business).

     

    Others

     

      1.HSIL Limited (Hindware Ensemble Kitchen): The claim in the advertisement, “Air Flow–1200 m3/hr”, was not substantiated with supporting technical data.

     

      2.Bharti Airtel Ltd. (Airtel Broadband): The claim offer of “Airtel Broadband – 60 GB @ Rs.1099 with unlimited calls”, was not substantiated with evidence of the customers who have availed this scheme.  

     

      3.Amazon Kindle: The advertisement claiming price off of Rs 1000/- from Rs. 5999 to Rs 4999 in large prominent font shown for an image of the product costing Rs.8999/-  is misleading by implication regardless of the disclaimer (in fine print), “Device shown in Image is Rs.8999/-”.

     

      4.Corona Plus Industries Limited (Plus Easy Washing): The claims in the point of sale material (POSM) of Plus Easy Washing state, “Rs. 5 KeChote, PatleSabuno Se DhulaiBadiKashtdayiHain”,  “ApkoBadiRahatDega, KashtdayiDhulaikoAsaan Karta HainAur 66% JyaadaKapdeAsani Se SaafDhulteHain”, were not substantiated with comparative data against competition products.  The claims used in conjunction with the images of the competition products in the POSM is denigrating and disparaging competition.

     

      5.Carlsberg India Limited (Tuborg Zero): The advertisement was a surrogate advertisement for a promotion of a liquor product – Tuborg Zero.  The advertiser did not provide the annual market sales data of the product/service advertised, thus the advertisement contravened Chapter III.6 (a) (b) of the ASCI Code and the Guidelines for Brand Extension product or service.

     

      6.3M India Limited (3M Car Care): The advertisement visual showing a car splashing water filled on the road, encourages people to indulge in dangerous practices without justifiable reason.

     

      7.City Broadband: The claim in the advertisement, “India’s No.1 Leading Internet Service Provider”, was not substantiated.

     

      8.John Distilleries Pvt Ltd (Original Choice):The advertisement shows a bar situation with coloured liquid in bottles/glasses which appears to be a direct promotion of liquor product – Original Choice.  The advertisement is misleading by implication and contravened Chapters I.4 and  III.6(b) of the Code (“Whether there exists in the advertisement under complaint any direct or indirect clues or cues which could suggest to consumers that it is a direct or indirect advertisement for the product whose advertising is restricted or prohibited by this Code.”).  Also, the advertisement did not meet the requirements as per ASCI’s Guidelines for Qualification of Brand Extension Products and thereby contravened Chapter III.6 (a) of the ASCI Code.

     

      9.Manappuram Finance Limited: In absence of a disclaimer to indicate that the earlier scheme of 5% reduction in interest rate has been extended to other branches, the advertisement is misleading by omission.       

  • Uday Shankar named Best CEO at Forbes India Leadership Award 2015

    Uday Shankar named Best CEO at Forbes India Leadership Award 2015

    MUMBAI: Leading one of India’s biggest broadcast company from the front – Star India CEO Uday Shankar – has time and again challenged the status quo and taken multiple risks, which have in turn reaped multiple rewards.

     

    One of the most powerful man in the Indian media and entertainment industry, Shankar has been named as the Best CEO of a Multi-National Company (MNC) at the Forbes India Leadership Awards (FILA) 2015, which were held at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

     

    The award marks a break from convention at FILA, with Shankar becoming the first MNC head of a media and entertainment company to receive the honour.

     

    Shankar was selected from amongst a shortlist of nominees that included leaders from top-notch companies like Hindustan Unilever, Samsung, ABB India and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

     

    The jury for the Forbes India Leadership Award 2015 comprised the likes Marico India chairman Harish Mariwala, HSBC India chairman Naina Lal Kidwai, McKinsey India managing director Noshir Kaka and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co India country head Sanjay Nayar.

     

    Accepting the award, Shankar said, “I feel enormously humbled to be receiving this honour on behalf of Star India. We are a multinational company albeit with an Indian heart. Our endeavour has been to harness the transformational power of media to foster social change and thereby inspire a billion imaginations.’”

     

    “I would not be here receiving this award, if I was not a journalist – that introduced me to the value of being socially relevant and to see the nuances that the untrained eye could easily miss. It also showed me that the value in life comes from doing big things – the headlines. And finally, it taught me to do the right thing, not be intimidated by competition because everybody makes as many mistakes,” he added.

     

    From shaping the content and marketing strategy for Star India’s multiple channels across genres, charting out the company’s digital strategy with Hotstar, heading the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) – the apex organisation representing television broadcasters, to being a part of power-packed policy meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch, Shankar juggles multiple responsibilities with élan. In fact, he was the only Indian CEO to be present at PM Modi’s roundtable meeting on media, technology and communications in the US recently alongside News Corp and 21st Century Fox executive chairman Rupert Murdoch and a host of other CEOs from various American organisations.

     

    Shankar took on as CEO of Star India in 2006 and will be completing a decade in the role next year.

  • ASCI upholds complaints against 100 ads for violating code

    ASCI upholds complaints against 100 ads for violating code

    MUMBAI: In May 2015, The Advertising Standard Council of India’s (ASCI) Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 100 out of 141 advertisements in May 2015.

     

    Out of 100 ads against which complaints were upheld, 46 belonged to the Personal and Healthcare category, followed by 22 in the Education category, 10 in Food and Beverage category, five in Telecom category and 17 from other categories.

     

    In the Personal and Healthcare segment, the CCC found 46 claims from advertisers for products or services to be either misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s Code. 

     

    Some of the health care products or services advertisements also contravened provisions of the Drug & Magic Remedies Act and Chapter 1.1 and III.4 of the ASCI Code.

     

    Complaint against advertisement upheld includes Dabur India, Hindustan Unilever, Celebrate Life Wellness, Modi Naturals, Lotus Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel, Omega Hospitals and VLCC Healthcare amongst others. 

     

    In the Education category, the CCC upheld complaints against 22 advertisers whose claims in ads were not substantiated and, thus, violated ASCI guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions. Some of them includes Aptech Limited, Lalani Group, Utkarsh Institute and Podar World School.

     

    In the Food & Beverages category, the CCC found that claims in ads by 10 advertisers were not substantiated and upheld complaints against Britannia Industries, K.C. Food Products Private Limited, Pepsi Foods P. Ltd and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd amongst others. 

     

    Click here to read the full report

  • Snapdeal to invest $300 million in SCM, names Hardeep Singh as head infrastructure

    Snapdeal to invest $300 million in SCM, names Hardeep Singh as head infrastructure

    MUMBAI: Snapdeal is planning to invest $300 million this year to strengthen its Supply Chain Management (SCM), which is a key function of any e-commerce company. Additionally, the company has strengthened its SCM team with the appointment of Hardeep Singh as head – infrastructure.

     

    In his new role, he will help craft strategies for making Snapdeal’s Supply Chain systems future ready. This includes the entire gamut of network design, infrastructure and special projects.

     

    Singh comes with over 21 years of experience in various aspects of supply chain operations including – planning, warehouse management, driving process excellence, supply chain technology integration, end-to-end solutions design and implementation. Prior to his appointment at Snapdeal, he was at Bharti Retail as head – supply chain and infrastructure. During his stint at Bharti Retail and Bharti Walmart, Singh was responsible for driving the best-in-class strategies covering Supply Chain, IT and Real Estate.

     

    Previously, he was the CEO at Inlogistics, the first private container train operator to run on Indian Railways network. In his two decades long career, Singh has also worked with organisations like Hindustan Unilever, Asian Paints and Madura Fashion & Lifestyle.

     

    Snapdeal entered into a strategic partnership with Gojavas earlier this year. In order to further customer experience on the platform, the companies together launched innovative delivery services like four hour delivery, card-on-delivery and 90 minutes reverse pickups. Snapdeal’s flagship service, Snapdeal Plus has seen success since its launch a year ago. Currently, 60 per cent of the orders are Snapdeal Plus fulfilled up from seven per cent in January 2015. The SCM team at Snapdeal is 1000+ people strong and has grown five times since December 2014.

     

    Singh said, “Snapdeal has been consistently focused on delivering a superlative customer experience and the progress that the company has made in this regard is unprecedented. It is exciting to see a young company like Snapdeal launch innovative supply chain solutions and set new benchmarks in this space. I look forward to working with the dynamic team at Snapdeal.”

     

    Snapdeal co-founder Rohit Bansal added, “Supply Chain Management and Logistics form the back bone of the ecommerce industry. Our aim is to create a delightful experience for our customers and as the customers evolve, we need to constantly innovate and develop newer solutions to service them better. Hardeep comes with many, many years of rich experience in diverse and complex aspects of SCM. He will help us lay out the road map for our future supply chain management systems.”

  • Rediffusion Y&R appoints Navonil Chatterjee as chief strategy officer

    Rediffusion Y&R appoints Navonil Chatterjee as chief strategy officer

    MUMBAI: Rediffusion Y&R has roped in Navonil Chatterjee as its chief strategy officer. 

     

    Chatterjee joins the group from JWT where he worked for 15 years. He will be reporting to Rediffusion Y&R president Dhunji S. Wadia. 

     

    With over 17 years of experience in advertising, Chatterjee has headed the planning function across clients like Hindustan Unilever, Levi’s, Pepsi, Godrej, Madura Garments, ITC, United Spirits Limited (USL), United Breweries (UB), ING Bank and Landmark Group to name a few. 

     

    But the one brand that is perhaps closest to his heart is Nike, where he has played a key role ever since he pitched for it successfully at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore in 2005. 

     

    Wadia said, “Our No. 1 priority is to focus on strategic thinking that will help us create breakthrough work. And I can confidently say that in Navonil, we have the best in the industry to lead our strategic planning. I have known and worked with him before. He has a real respect for good ideas, great work and results. He is a bit of an ‘Un-Planner’ since he is extremely cynical about conventional research and over-intellectualization, and prefers simplicity above all else. We have now strengthened the core team at Rediffusion-Y&R with Rahul, JD and Navonil.”

     

    Chatterjee added, “There seems to be a renewed vigour and buzz around the place with the new leadership team coming on board and new hirings. From the outside I have always perceived Rediffusion as this spunky kind of place, which delivers good creative work. Also, I have worked very successfully with Dhunji in the past, so looking forward to forming a great partnership with him and Rahul (CCO). And as far as I am concerned, I strongly believe that passion makes the world go round, and that’s what I intend to bring to the table. The rest should follow.”

  • ZEEL makes it to Nikkei ‘India40’ list

    ZEEL makes it to Nikkei ‘India40’ list

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has become the only Media & Entertainment Company to be included in the recently announced ‘India40’, Nikkei Inc’s list of the top Indian companies.

     

    ‘India40’ is a list of 44 leading companies selected by Nikkei Inc in order to provide detailed information on the moves of those leading companies and to analyse the current picture and outlook of India’s various industries through them. These companies were selected after Nikkei Inc calculated the rankings of the market cap of companies listed on the BSE, taking into account the growth potential and name recognition, the balance between industries, the position in the industry, among other factors.

     

    ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka said, “ZEE’s inclusion in Nikkei Inc’s ‘India40’ list reaffirms its position as a leading player in the Indian Media & Entertainment industry. As a global content company, we take immense pride in entertaining millions of viewers across the world and in the years ahead, we hope to grow even further by engaging consumers with our innovative and creative content solutions.”

     

    The list stated that many companies covered by ‘India40’ earned more than 50 per cent of their entire earnings from overseas, showing that globalisation has progressed and their influence is no longer limited to India. Other Indian companies in the ‘India40’ list include NTPC, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, ITC, Hindustan Unilever and Godrej Consumer Products to name a few.

  • Marico names Ashish Joshi as COO south east Asia

    MUMBAI: The consumer products company, Marico, has appointed Ashish Joshi as COO of Marico south east Asia.

     

    Joshi will oversee Marico’s personal care business across Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia.

     

    An alumnus of IIM Lucknow, Joshi with over 20 years of experience has been with Colgate Palmolive for the last 12 years. Before which he was with Hindustan Unilever for six years.

     

    At Colgate Palmolive, Joshi was leading the customer development function in Thailand at the management committee level. 

  • Give a missed call and join HUL’s fight against corruption

    Give a missed call and join HUL’s fight against corruption

    MUMBAI: In 2011, when Anna Hazare led the anti-corruption movement along with the likes of Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, the country fed up of the ailment joined in the momentum as well.

     

    People, especially youngsters, wanting a better India, didn’t hesitate to step out of their comfort zone and take the matter in their hands.

     

    Be it a metro or a small village, corruption can be seen everywhere. This anti-social element is not only killing India’s value system, ethical codes and moral chains but also the economy. To counter it, many including brands are doing their bit to change the system.

     

    Hindustan Unilever’s (HUL) Cannes Lions winner, Kan Khajura Tesan, has undertaken an initiative that will take the fight against corruption to every Indian’s doorstep. Since the issue strikes a chord with every Indian, the anticipated response might go on to create a world record.

     

    This independence day week, Kan Khajura Tesan aims to set a world record by getting as many missed calls as possible in 120 hours from the people of India on its toll free number 1800-30-000-123. To pledge against corruption, the audience has to give a missed call on the number from their mobile phones. In return, Kan Khajura Tesan will donate Re 1 for every 100 missed calls received between 13 August and 17 August to the National Anti Corruption Investigation Bureau. Once the consumer gives a missed call to Kan Khajura Tesan, in a few seconds the consumer will receive a call back from the channel to confirm their participation in the endeavour to set a world record along with 20 minutes of free entertainment.

     

    Hindustan Unilever vice president Priya Nair said, “Kan Khajura Tesan is one of India’s biggest, free and on-demand radio channels with over 1.4 crore subscribers and more than 25 crore minutes of radio engagement. With this initiative, we want to use this powerful platform to drive a social change. The initiative of pledging against corruption has never been attempted at this level anywhere in the world yet, and with the support of Indians we want to create a record of which every Indian can be proud.”

     

    Kan Khajura Tesan, the country’s first free and on-demand entertainment mobile radio channel owned by HUL was launched in October 2013 in Bihar and Jharkhand and the service was expanded in August 2014 across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

  • Unilever calls for businesses to fight against climate change

    Unilever calls for businesses to fight against climate change

    MUMBAI: Keeping true to its commitment of a better tomorrow, Unilever has issued a call for all companies affected by the growing costs of climate change, and in particular the food industry, to step up their commitment to tackling the issue. 

     

    The risk to the food industry from climate change is severe, with some analysts predicting that the external environmental costs of climate change could exceed the earnings of the entire food industry by 2030 unless an action is taken.  The call coincides with a report released by Oxfam International arguing that the ‘Top 10’ food companies, including Unilever, should be among those leading the charge to address climate change both in their own operations, in their supply chains, and in the wider public policy arena.

     

     Sustainability strategy and global advocacy vice president Miguel Veiga-Pestana commented, “Unilever has been at the forefront of industry efforts to tackle climate change since the mid 1990s. We were the first to establish the Unilever Sustainable Agriculture Programme to address carbon emissions from agriculture and deforestation, and more recently we were the first to launch a comprehensive plan with time-bound targets reported on annually to drive progress towards sustainable sourcing. The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, was launched in November 2010. We are currently ahead of our self imposed target on sustainable sourcing and broader CO2 emissions from energy in our operations – down by 32 per cent since 2008.”

     

     Unilever has also sought to improve its footprint along the full breadth of the value chain, and to play a catalytic role within the industry and the wider private sector.

     

     For example:

     

    ·Committing to sourcing 100 per cent of agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2020, including tropical commodities, such as palm, soy and the paper and board used in its packaging.

     

    · Working with the United Nations Environment Programme and Greenpeace to eliminate highly damaging HFCs from commercial refrigeration

     

    · Actively contributing to the work of HRH The Prince of Wales’ Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change, which has made the case for progressive public policy to bring down emissions and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.

     

    · Sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity for sites in Europe and North America

     

    ·Co-Chairing the Sustainability Committee of the Global Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), an industry group with combined turnover of $3 trillion, with specific programmes now in place on deforestation and refrigeration.

     

    ·Unilever also led the process which resulted in the creation of the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA)  a public-private partnership between the 400 companies of the CGF, the governments of the USA, UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Indonesia and Liberia and a large number of international NGOs.  The principal goal of the TFA is to eliminate any trace of deforestation from the supply chains of consumer goods companies.

     

     None of this could come too soon.  With less than 20 months until world leaders meet in Paris to agree a global climate change agreement, Unilever has also stepped up its advocacy efforts, with Unilever CEO Paul Polman recently addressing the Abu Dhabi Ascent meeting – a preparatory meeting convened by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, to build momentum towards an ambitious intergovernmental deal.  At the event, Unilever CEO Paul Polman called for joint efforts to scale up action to tackle climate change, urging politicians to lead with “clarity, confidence and courage” in the international climate change negotiations. 

     

     “If every major company affected by climate change – not only in the food and beverage sector, but other impacted sectors such as tourism, insurance and transport – were to address the issue as one of business survival, and step change their efforts for delivery, we could together make a significant impact. We hope that Oxfam’s report will encourage other businesses to recognise the urgent need to future proof their operations, provide for the long term needs of their consumers, step off the sidelines and move into action.” concludes Miguel Veiga-Pestana.