AAAI extends support to Tanishq ad, disapproves targeting

New Delhi: The Tanishq ad controversy seems to have got the attention of the entire advertising industry. In the latest development, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) said it disapproved of the targeting of the commercial. The association mentions that the threats against Tanishq as well as its employees, which led to the withdrawal of the advertisement, are a matter of great regret and concern.

The advertisement in question, in fact, was also viewed at the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) by an independent panel – The Consumer Complaints Council, which is representative of multiple stakeholders from industry, civil society, lawyers and consumer activists. The panel found nothing in the advertisement that was indecent or objectionable or repulsive that could lead to grave and widespread offence.

There is a consensus among all allied bodies and The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter and The Advertising Club also support this.

For the last two days, the brand was roundly slammed by trolls on social media for upsetting their religious sentiments. However, a large number of people across the country have stood up for the brand and are supporting the ad. This includes several advertising personalities, actors and other people.