Chennai: Advertising industry veteran Srinivasan K. Swamy has sent a legal notice to exchange4media, alleging that a series of reports and interviews published between May and August 2026 amounted to a sustained and orchestrated defamatory campaign against him.
The notice, dated August 31, 2026, has been issued through Swamy’s legal counsel and challenges the publication’s coverage relating to the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), its Lifetime Achievement Award, and Swamy’s professional positions.
According to the notice, Swamy’s legal team has objected to what it describes as a one-sided narrative and allegations concerning favouritism, governance, cartelisation and manipulation in connection with the AAAI award process. The notice argues that the coverage moved beyond reporting an industry dispute and allegedly contributed to an attempt to damage Swamy’s professional reputation.
The notice also alleges links between exchange4media’s coverage and views attributed to Sandeep Goyal and his associates. It states, “It is little known secret that exchange4media and Anuraag Batra’s digital media network have been the mouthpiece of all stories and articles of Sandeep Goyal.”
It further alleges, “It came as a little surprise that from the GoaFest in May this year, every viewpoint of Sandeep Goyal was carried forth exhaustively by exchange4media and Anuraag Batra’s digital print.”
The notice also refers to an article authored by Anuraag Batra concerning why Sandeep Goyal should receive the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award, alleging that the timing of the article coincided with efforts around Goyal’s candidature.
Questions over anonymous sources
A key issue raised by Swamy’s legal team is exchange4media’s reported use of anonymous industry sources. The disputed reports are said to have attributed criticism to “senior agency executives”, “industry veterans” and “senior media industry executives requesting anonymity”.
Swamy’s counsel has sought disclosure of the identities of the sources behind the allegations, along with details of the verification undertaken before publication. The notice also seeks information about the commissioning, sourcing and editorial process behind the reports.
It further seeks disclosure of any alleged payment, inducement, briefing, draft or instruction involving Tanya Goyal, Dr. Sandeep Goyal or individuals associated with them.
Objection to personal references
Swamy’s legal team has also raised objections to an August 14 article titled “Drinking heavily in public shows bad upbringing: Tanya Goyal hits back at Srinivasan Swamy.”
The notice argues that the coverage moved from reporting an industry dispute to commenting on Swamy’s personal character. It states, “Swamy’s Notice now draws the line firm and clear that he will brook no nonsense anymore.”
The notice further says, “The language and tenor of the reports and quotes of Tanya Goyal lack respect for Swamy’s accomplishments and age; both of which Sandeep Goyal lacks.”
Swamy’s industry credentials cited
The legal notice also highlights Swamy’s long-standing involvement in the advertising industry and his leadership positions across industry and professional bodies. These include serving as Chairman & World President of the International Advertising Association (IAA), Chairman of the Confederation of Advertising Agencies Associations of Asia, and leadership roles with the Advertising Standards Council of India, Audit Bureau of Circulations, All India Management Association, Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Madras Management Association and Advertising Club, Madras.
Swamy served three terms as President of AAAI between 2004 and 2007 and returned to lead the association in 2025-26 after an 18-year gap.
The notice also lists several international honours received by Swamy, including the IAA Golden Compass Award, International Honour Award from AD STARS, Korea, and recognition from the Japan Advertising Association. It also cites his induction into the AFAA Hall of Fame and IAA Hall of Fame, among other industry recognitions.
Seven-day deadline
Swamy’s lawyers have given exchange4media seven days to respond to the demands outlined in the notice.
These include removing the allegedly defamatory material from exchange4media’s platforms and associated digital channels, issuing an unconditional apology and retraction, and taking steps concerning copies or syndicated versions of the disputed material.
The notice also seeks disclosure of the sources behind the allegations. According to the legal notice, failure to comply could result in civil and criminal proceedings, including claims seeking injunctions and damages for alleged injury to Swamy’s reputation and goodwill.
The dispute now extends beyond the AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award controversy, with Swamy’s legal challenge putting questions around anonymous sourcing, editorial processes and the boundaries of industry reporting at the centre of the confrontation.
