Influencer council rolls out brand code

In a bid to bring structure, transparency, and operational efficiency to a sector marked by rapid growth but lagging regulation, the Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) has launched its Code of Standards for Brands along with a dedicated Taskforce. 

AI-powered platform ClanConnect has also introduced prepaid influencer marketing packages aimed at simplifying campaign execution for brands of all sizes.

These initiatives—one regulatory, the other operational—signal a collective push towards creating a more accountable and efficient creator economy.

The IIGC’s newly introduced Code of Standards is designed to tackle long-standing gaps in influencer-brand relationships. Among its key mandates is mandatory disclosure of paid partnerships, gifted products, and affiliate promotions, as well as a strict stance against the deceptive use of virtual influencers, CGI, or deepfakes. In regulated sectors, brands are now required to back any scientific claims with certified proof.

Crucially, the Code also addresses one of the industry's most glaring shortcomings—the lack of formal contracts. With close to 95% of brand-influencer collaborations currently operating without legal agreements, the Code offers ready-to-use templates and best practices to guide these partnerships towards greater clarity and protection.

Data privacy, too, forms a central pillar. Brands must now follow stringent protocols on data collection and user consent in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act and other relevant privacy frameworks.

Crisis Control and Legal Support: The Role of the Taskforce

To enforce the new guidelines and support brands in real time, the IIGC has activated a dedicated Taskforce. This body will assist with digital listening, sentiment analysis, and crisis mitigation, enabling brands to manage reputational risks proactively. The Taskforce also offers mediation services for disputes around content, contracts, or public backlash—providing a neutral ground to protect relationships and uphold industry trust.

In more complex scenarios, it can connect brands with verified legal experts for guidance through regulatory hurdles or legal ambiguities.

Sahil Chopra, chairman of IIGC, believes these tools will fill a much-needed gap in the industry. “Brand-influencer partnerships are incredibly powerful, but also vulnerable to reputational risks. The Code of Standards and the Taskforce together offer a safety net that the industry has long required.”

ClanConnect's Prepaid Model Brings Speed, Clarity, and Scale

While the IIGC is bringing regulatory reform, ClanConnect is offering brands a shortcut to smoother execution. The influencer marketing platform has launched prepaid campaign packages, priced between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2.5 lakh, aimed at D2C brands, SMEs, agencies, and regional businesses—segments that often lack the bandwidth or budgets to navigate traditional influencer campaigns.

These packages promise guaranteed reach, defined CPV (cost per view), and structured deliverables, eliminating the uncertainty that often surrounds influencer pricing and output. The process is simple: pick a package, pay, and launch—no complex negotiations, no guesswork.

From pre-selected influencer combinations to pre-approved scripts, hygiene checks, and structured feedback loops, the model reduces friction at every step. Influencers benefit too, with timely briefs, faster payments, and repeat campaign opportunities, enabling a more sustainable working environment.

“Most platforms only focus on matchmaking. But real efficiency comes from what follows next,” said Sagar Pushp, CEO, ClanConnect. “With prepaid packages, we’re offering not just access to influencers, but a reliable, scalable, and insight-driven campaign framework.”

As the space matures, efforts to codify ethics and simplify execution will play a key role in sustaining trust—between brands, creators, and consumers alike. What was once an unstructured frontier is now inching towards becoming a regulated and reliable marketing channel.