Download ASCI`s WhatsApp number (+91 77100 12345)

PRESS RELEASE
Date: 14th June 2016
ASCI’s WhatsApp number (+91 77100 12345) proves
to be a success within three months of launch
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Receives enormous response from consumers
Appreciated by Government
WhatsApp number (+91 77100 12345) launched by ASCI on 10th March’16 has tremendously
faciliated Consumer reach. The consumer contact has almost doubled due to this new medium
available to consumers to register their complaint. WhatsApp is now contributing to more than 12%
of the total advertisements complained against and deliberated upon by the Consumer Complaints
Council. With the increased awareness levels, it has also had an incremental effect on the overall
number of complaints received directly by other means such as Mobile App and Website. This has
resulted in more than 30% increase in the overall number of advertisements complained
against.
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Benoy Roychowdhury, ASCI chairman said “We launched ASCI
WhatsApp number with an objective to provide an “on-the-go” and easy “where-ever, when-ever”
access for consumers to lodge complaints against objectionable advertisements and to increase
ASCI’s reach across India trickling down to smaller towns. This initiative has, indeed, exceeded our
expectations proving to be successful within three months of launch. Our WhatsApp number was
welcomed not only by consumers but also taken note of, by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Prasar Bharati, etc. It was called out as a
proactive step to be emulated by other similar agencies. Indeed, we are happy and proud that ASCI is
in the forefront of “Transforming India”, leveraging technology for consumer meaningful tools.”
ASCI’s WhatsApp number has seen complaints coming in against advertisements appearing in a wide
range of sectors such as FMCG, Healthcare, Telecom, E-commerce, Travel, Durables, Automotive,
Food and Beverages, Education etc. Complaints came in from across India including West Jaintia
Hills, Bareilly, Varanasi, Vadodara, Ludhiana, Chennai, etc. And from all age groups – right from
college students to senior citizens. These complaints were made against advertisements across
media, beyond the conventional - Print and TV, such as Website, Radio, SMS, Emailers, Promotional
Materials, Product Packaging, Hoardings, etc. Consumers also sent pictures of hoardings, images
taken of packaging or print ads, videos of advertisements as they were actually being played on their
TV, links to web-sites etc. Even housewives or people not savvy with computers and without an
e:mail access could send their complaints very easily. Complaints were sent by consumers in their
own languages (Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada etc.) as typed in English and some creative
approaches such as voice notes were also used! Consumers felt connected and the quick response
was appreciated. So much so that ASCI also received spontaneous messages of appreciation from
consumers for launching this service.
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 14th June 2016
About Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
The Advertising Standards Council of India is a self-regulatory organization for the
advertising industry and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Established in 1985,
ASCI’s role has been acclaimed by various Government agencies. ASCI is recognized under
‘The Cable Television Network Rules, 1994’ which states that ‘No advertisement which
violates the Code for self-regulation in advertising, as adopted by the Advertising Standard
Council of India (ASCI), Mumbai, for public exhibition in India, from time to time, shall be
carried in the cable service’. ASCI is the “Executive Arm” of the Department of Consumer
Affairs handling all complaints pertaining to misleading advertisements.
The Role and Functioning of the ASCI and its Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) is in
dealing with Complaints received from Consumers and Industry, against Advertisements
which are considered as False, Misleading, Indecent, Illegal, leading to Unsafe practices, or
Unfair to competition, and consequently in contravention of the ASCI Code for SelfRegulation in Advertising.
For further information, please contact:
The Advertising Standards Council of India
Shweta Purandare - Secretary General, ASCI: 91 22 2495 5070 / 91 9821162785
Ketchum Sampark Public Relations Pvt. Ltd
Pritu Hait: 91 9987003160
The Advertising Standards Council of India