07.08.2026: Advertising industry must uphold ethics and transparency : Maharashtra Governor
Advertising industry must uphold ethics and transparency : Maharashtra Governor
Mumbai, August 7: Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has called upon the Indian advertising industry to uphold truthfulness, transparency and ethics while playing its part in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
The Governor was speaking at the 13th IAA Leadership Awards organised by the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter at Hotel Four Seasons in Mumbai on Friday (7 Aug).
The Governor said leadership is measured not merely by business success or market share, but by the ability to inspire trust, create opportunities and build institutions that benefit society.
He said advertising does not merely promote products but shapes aspirations, influences consumer behaviour and strengthens brands that contribute to India’s economic growth.
The Governor noted that India is today among the world’s fastest-growing advertising markets, with the country’s advertising and media industry estimated to be worth over ₹1 lakh crore. Referring to rapid technological advancements, the Governor said Artificial Intelligence and data-driven marketing are transforming the way brands engage with consumers, making creativity and innovation more important than ever before.
He said advertising should never be misleading and added that the most successful brands are those that earn public trust, respect consumer intelligence and contribute positively to society.
The Governor observed that as India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, the power of ideas, communication and creativity will be as important as capital and technology in driving inclusive growth and national development.
The Governor presented the IAA Business Leader of the Year Award for Corporate Excellence to the Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceuticals DIlip Shanghvi in Mumbai.
Abhishek Karnani, President of the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter; Prabha Narasimhan, Jury Chair and MD & CEO, Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd., Nandini Dias, Chairperson, IAA Leadership Awards, captains of Industry and recipients of the IAA Business Leader Awards for 2026 were present.