IIMC Hosts Industry-Academia Power Meet to Shape Ethical Next-Gen Advertisers

NEW DELHI, 04 JUNE: The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Deemed to be University, in collaboration with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), organized a Mega Faculty Development Programme (FDP) at its New Delhi campus. The day-long event aimed to sensitise faculty members from across India on responsible advertising, self-regulation, and the evolving media ecosystem. Over 98 faculty participants from diverse institutions specializing in Media, Advertising, Marketing, Law, and Management took part in the programme.

The inaugural session featured prominent dignitaries including C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB); Dr. Anupama Bhatnagar, Vice Chancellor, IIMC; Ms. Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI; and Mr. Chandan Mukherji, Director & Senior Vice President – Strategy, Marketing & Communication, Nestlé. Dr. Nimish Rustagi, Registrar, IIMC, was also present.

Delivering the keynote address, Senthil Rajan underscored the importance of such initiatives to ensure that future content creators are well-versed in ethical advertising norms. “IIMC is producing some of the finest creative minds in India, and initiatives like this workshop sharpen their skills and enhance their awareness,” he said. He also highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts, including the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in Mumbai to foster excellence in creative domains.

In her address, Dr. Anupama Bhatnagar emphasized IIMC’s commitment to promoting creative excellence grounded in ethics. “Students should be able to distinguish between good advertising and misleading messaging,” she stated, urging faculty to incorporate ethical perspectives into their teaching frameworks.

Ms. Manisha Kapoor of ASCI elaborated on the ASCI Code and the critical role of self-regulation, particularly in the digital age. “These discussions are vital in building a consumer-trust-driven advertising ecosystem,” she noted, stressing the need to empower educators who shape future advertising professionals.

Speaking on behalf of the industry, Mr. Chandan Mukherji of Nestlé reinforced that responsible communication is essential for maintaining brand trust. “Advertising is not just about selling — it’s about building relationships with society,” he said.

Dr. Nimish Rustagi reflected on the ethical responsibility advertisers hold in the data-driven digital era. “Ethics must be a core value to ensure consumer well-being and agency are protected,” he remarked.

The programme included interactive sessions on topics like “The Need for Responsible Advertising,” “The ASCI Code,” and “The Evolving Role of ASCI.” Dr. Saheli Sinha and Ms. Namrata Bachani from ASCI led the sessions, providing a deep dive into the mechanics of self-regulation and industry standards.

The event was moderated by Dr. Meeta Ujjain and concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar.