IAA Voice Of Change Gurugram Roundtable Brings Industry Leaders Together To Strengthen The Conversation Around Inclusive Advertising

Gurugram, September 18, 2026 - The India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) organized the IAA Voice of Change Roundtable at Taj City Centre, Gurugram. The event gathered leaders from advertising, marketing, media, and content sectors to discuss gender representation and inclusion within the industry. IAA Voice of Change is an initiative aimed at fostering equitable and inclusive representation in advertising, media, and content by challenging stereotypes and promoting authentic narratives.

The Gurugram roundtable followed a similar event held in Mumbai in July, where the IAA Voice of Change Midline Study, India Advertising Midline: Gender Representation and Inclusion Trends, was introduced. This study, conducted by the Geena Davis Institute (GDI), analyzed gender portrayal in the top 1,000 most-viewed multilingual Indian advertisements on television and digital platforms, comparing it to the 2021 baseline.

The Gurugram edition facilitated a panel discussion, 'IAA Voice of Change: Shaping the Future of Inclusive Advertising,' moderated by Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Chairperson of the Women Empowerment Committee at the IAA India Chapter. Panelists included Ayshwarya Sharma, Executive Creative Director at Leo India; Virat Khullar, Head of Marketing at Hyundai India; Akanksha Jain Bahl, Global Associate Director at PepsiCo; and Jitender Dabas, CEO of BBDO Group India.

The panel explored challenges in achieving inclusive representation in advertising and its impact on brand strength and business results, as well as the broader role of advertising in shaping societal perceptions and culture.

The roundtable also featured a fireside chat, 'Beyond the Headline: Challenging Bias in Representation,' between Megha Tata, Co-Chairperson of the Women Empowerment Committee at the IAA India Chapter, and Padmaja Joshi, Managing Editor at NDTV. Joshi shared personal anecdotes and insights about how women have been incorporated into news coverage, her resistance to the practice, and the evolution of these perspectives within the newsroom.

Both Tata and Joshi emphasized the importance of advertising not merely reflecting society but using its influence to drive societal progress, particularly in how gender and relationships are portrayed. They acknowledged that while representation is improving, stereotypes persist in advertising, and the industry must recognize these gaps, challenge existing norms, and create work that shifts perceptions and fosters more inclusive brands.

Tata highlighted the industry's role in shaping societal views on gender and relationships, stating that "inclusivity is not a single-function responsibility; it is shaped by choices made across the entire communication ecosystem. The exchange of perspectives today, especially on the intersection of gender, representation, and familiar narratives, demonstrated the value of creating spaces where the industry can question, listen, and learn from one another."

Looking ahead, the conversation will continue in Bengaluru, with the goal of translating the awareness gained into concrete actions within the industry. The IAA Voice of Change initiative, now in its fifth year, continues to engage marketers, agencies, media professionals, and content creators through various platforms to advance equitable and authentic gender representation in advertising, media, and content. For more information or to participate, interested parties can contact iaa@iaaindiachapter.org.