IIGC launches IIGC Protect, unveils Code of Standards for brands, and honors creators as India’s influencer ecosystem embraces professionalism and responsible content
Bangalore/Mumbai, 7 July 2025The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) has announced December 2nd as “World Influencer Day,” a dedicated annual observance to celebrate and recognize influencers across genres and platforms. The declaration was made during IIGC’s Third Chapter held at the Taj Bangalore, which gathered over 100 leading voices from the creator economy, including marketing heads, digital leaders, and pioneering influencers.
The event marked a pivotal moment for India’s influencer industry with the launch of IIGC Protect, a groundbreaking initiative developed in collaboration with Trilegal and United We Care x Adayu (Fortis). This program aims to empower influencers through legal education and mental wellness support. Notable contributors to the session included Nikhil Sachdeva (Partner, Trilegal), Rana Atheya (VP – Business, United We Care), Sachin Baliga (Advisor – Neuromodulation Program, Fortis), and creator Aneri Thakkar.
The Bangalore Chapter also witnessed the introduction of the IIGC Taskforce and the unveiling of the Code of Standards for Brands, which sets guidelines for ethical influencer-brand collaborations. Industry leaders Varun Oberoi (VP, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Nissin) and Jaikishin Chhaproo (Head Media & Brand PR, ITC Limited) headlined discussions on responsible influencing. They were joined by Gaurang Thosani (Head Digital Marketing and e-Sales, Royal Sundaram) and Aparajita Mukherjee (Head, Brands in Culture, DIAGEO), who shared best practices for fosterTej Prakash Yadav of BBC Media Action emphasized the positive societal impact of influencers, saying, “Influencers have the power to spark change, ignite conversations that matter, and build something bigger than a brand: a movement.”
Popular creator Gunjan Taneja (@Gunjanshouts) highlighted the responsibilities influencers carry, noting, “Being an influencer is not about the number of followers or views, but the impact we are able to create. We must remember that with every recommendation, we influence decisions involving our followers’ hard-earned money — making it vital to act with maturity and sensibility.”
Sahil Chopra, Chairman and Founding Member of IIGC, led a felicitation ceremony honoring IIGC board members and winners of the Indian Influencer Ratings Weekly Picks, which celebrates both leading “Trendsetters” and promising “Underdoggs.”
Reflecting on the event, Chopra said, “The influencer ecosystem in India is at a turning point, moving from raw creativity to structured professionalism. With IIGC Protect, the Code of Standards, and now World Influencer Day, we’re laying the foundation for a future where creators are not just content generators, but powerful, responsible voices shaping culture, commerce, and community.”
