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Exclusive: India raids ad giants GroupM, Dentsu and broadcasters body over price collusion, sources say


Published on 2025-03-18 05:24:09 - Reuters
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  • The Indian antitrust body has raided the offices of many global advertising giants, including GroupM, Dentsu and Interpublic Group, and a broadcasters' industry group over alleged price collusion, people with direct knowledge told Reuters on Tuesday.

The Indian government conducted raids on the offices of advertising giants GroupM and Dentsu, along with the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), on March 18, 2025, investigating allegations of price collusion. The raids, which took place in Mumbai and other cities, were part of a broader probe into potential anti-competitive practices within the advertising sector. Authorities seized documents and electronic devices to examine whether these companies were involved in fixing advertising rates, which could lead to higher costs for advertisers and potentially limit market competition. The investigation also looked into the role of the IBDF, which represents major broadcasters, in possibly facilitating these practices. The outcome of these raids could have significant implications for the advertising industry in India, potentially leading to regulatory changes or fines if collusion is proven.

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[ https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-raids-ad-giants-groupm-dentsu-broadcasters-body-over-price-collusion-2025-03-18/ ]