ASCI upholds 43 of 50 complaints in December, 2012

The number of complaints has increased in the past month.

The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has upheld complaints against 43 out of 50 advertisements in December, 2012 for sending across misleading information.

The brands that have come under ASCI's scanner include Hindustan Unilever's New Rin, New Clear anti-dandruff shampoo, Comfort Fabric Conditioner, Nurture health care's Hairten hair oil, Ego Wellness for stem cell treatment ad, Asian Institute of Infertility Management, Pernod Ricard India, Luminous Water Technologies, Natraj Atta Chakki, Vivekanand Classes and Aircel, among others.

In the case of Pernod Ricard India, the television commercials of Seagram's Royal Stag mega cricket, mega music and Seagram's 100 Pipers Pure music were said to have no tangible brand extension. CCC upheld the complaint on the grounds that there was no mention of the number of outlets where these brand extension products were sold and they were generated from the audited sales revenues of liquor brands, who promoted these products/services in the form of surrogate ads.

In HUL's Comfort Fabric Conditioner ad, there was no disclaimer/footnote that mentioned the source of the brand's claim on its website that it was "India's No. 1 fabric conditioner brand, also market leader globally".

Meanwhile, Step Up's advertisement is sub-judice in the High Court of Bombay. Complaints were also received against six advertisements, which included Ceat Tyres, Skin Alive's 'Forever Young', Kovai Medical Center and Hospital's 'Effective Treatment for Thyroid Disorders & Cancer', Gillette India's 'Oral-B Cross Action Pro-Health toothbrush', Clinic Dermatech's 'Beauty Solutions for Skin Problems', and Procter & Gamble Home Products' 'Pantene Pro-V shampoo'. However, ASCI found no discrepancies and so the complaints were not upheld.