MUMBAI: In July 2014, Advertising Standard Council of India’s (ASCI) Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 134 out of 147 advertisements.
The CCC found the claims in health and personal care product or service ads of 56 advertisers, released in the press to be either misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated and hence violated ASCI’s code. Some of the health care products or services advertisements also contravened provisions of The Drug & Magic Remedies Act, Chapter 1.1 and III.4 of the ASCI code.
The complaints were upheld against L'Oreal India’s advertisement claims that Garnier Colour Naturals provides nourishment to hair for eight weeks. ITC’s YouTube advertisement derides colour as a dark skinned girl is shown as not being confident and suffering from an inferiority complex due to her complexion. It shows that only after applying Vivel cream does she appear confident enough to sing in public. Similarly, Marico advertisement, which stars Rahul Bose, claims that Livon Hair Gain helps to stop hair fall within 90 days. The claims on the product pack were not consistent with those in the advertisement.
The personal and healthcare category was followed by 61 advertisements in the education category.
International Institute of Hotel Management advertisement claims to be India's largest hotel school chain and Asia’s 100 fastest growing private educational institutes with 100 per cent global placement record. Prestige Institute of Management advertisement claims that Prestige Institute of Management is ranked among the top 1000 B-schools in the world by Ed-universal official selection, Paris. It further adds that Prestige is rated A++ among Management Institutions by Business India, November 2013 issue and ranked 16th among Management Institutes in India by Higher Education Review, 2014. In addition, the advertisement claims to be truly number 1 B-school in Central India.
In the automobile category, Hero MotoCorp advertisement for Hero Xtreme shows an everyday activity being performed on the bike in an irresponsible manner. The advertisement contravened Chapter III.3 of the ASCI code (“Ads shall not, without justifiable reason, show or refer to dangerous practice or manifest a disregard for safety or encourage negligence.”). The complaint was upheld. Similarly, TVS Motor Company advertisement for TVS Phoenix 125 shows actor Nazar asking for a lift by standing in the middle of the road. When asked for lift, actor Mahesh stops the bike in the middle of the road. The CCC viewed the TVC and concluded that the visual promotes unsafe practices. The advertisement contravened Chapter III.3 of the ASCI code. The complaint was upheld.
