Sudhanshu Vats Appointed President of ASCI, Subramanyeswar Vice Chair

In a significant leadership change at one of India’s key regulatory bodies, Sudhanshu Vats, Managing Director of Pidilite Industries Ltd, has been appointed as the new President of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). The announcement was made during ASCI’s 39th Annual General Meeting, ahead of the council’s 40th anniversary in October 2025. The move comes at a time when the advertising ecosystem is rapidly evolving, making self-regulation and ethical advertising practices more important than ever.

New Leadership at ASCI

• Alongside Vats’ appointment as President, S Subramanyeswar of MullenLowe Global has been named the Vice Chairman, and Paritosh Joshi, Principal at Provocateur Advisory, will serve as the Honorary Treasurer.
• These appointments reflect ASCI’s aim to bring diverse perspectives from across the advertising, corporate, and advisory sectors as it navigates the complexities of modern advertising — from influencer marketing to AI-driven content creation.

Key Initiatives Announced by ASCI

ASCI also outlined its upcoming strategic initiatives focused on youth awareness, digital engagement, and regional expansion.

1. AdWise Programme for Students

A new media literacy initiative called “AdWise” will be launched to educate over 1 million school students on how to,

• Identify misleading or harmful advertisements
• Evaluate advertising messages critically
• Develop awareness around brand influence and consumer rights

This program is aimed at empowering young audiences, especially in a time when they are bombarded with digital advertisements, including those on social media and gaming platforms.

2. Ethnographic Research on Gen Alpha

ASCI will conduct deep-dive research into Gen Alpha — the youngest generation born entirely in the digital era. The study aims to,

• Understand how children interact with ads across platforms
• Create a framework for responsible advertising tailored to their needs
• Prevent potential psychological and behavioral risks from targeted messaging

3. Geographical Expansion

To further its outreach and monitoring capabilities, ASCI plans to expand its presence in,

• Bengaluru
• New Delhi

This move supports better regional oversight and builds stronger networks with local advertisers, agencies, and educational institutions.

What to Remember

• Sudhanshu Vats appointed ASCI President (2025)
• S Subramanyeswar is Vice Chairman; Paritosh Joshi, Treasurer
• AdWise program to train 1 million students in ad literacy
• Gen Alpha research to guide child-focused ad ethics
• ASCI expanding in Delhi and Bengaluru