INDIA – The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has appointed Anant S Iyer as its new Director General.  

Iyer, who brings over 33 years of experience in the alcoholic beverages industry, previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Alcobrew Distilleries, makers of Golfer’s Shot and White & Blue whiskey.  

In his role at Alcobrew, he was responsible for the company’s overall business operations, including sales, marketing, and supply chain management. 

The CIABC represents more than 20 domestic liquor manufacturers, including prominent companies like ABD Ltd, Radico Khaitan, Jagatjit Industries, Mohan Meakin, Khemani Distilleries, Globus Spirits, and Sula Vineyards. 

Iyer’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Indian alcoholic beverage industry when the government prepares to implement a ban on alcohol companies sponsoring events and using “surrogate” advertisements, which potentially circumvent government regulations.  

These “surrogate ads” refer to promotional materials that use other products to raise brand awareness of restricted items. 

Nidhi Khare, a secretary at India’s Department of Consumer Affairs, has indicated that the final rules regarding this law are expected to be published within a month.  

The proposed penalties for violating the draft consumer law include endorsement bans of up to three years and fines up to Rs 5 million (US$60,000). 

If the ban comes into effect, it could significantly impact advertising strategies for major brands like Diageo’s Black & White ginger ale, which features symbols associated with the Scotch brand, and Carlsberg’s Tuborg drinking water, which shares similarities with its beer advertising. 

In related industry news, Pernod Ricard is currently assessing its next steps after its most recent attempt to re-obtain a liquor sales license in New Delhi was rejected by local authorities.  

The rejection was based on ongoing investigations into alleged breaches of the city’s liquor sale regulations.  

Additionally, Hina Nagarajan, CEO of Diageo’s majority-owned United Spirits, has been asked to provide several documents related to company sales to New Delhi’s anti-corruption police. 

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