‘UNFORTUNATE OVERSIGHT’: Agency apologizes for using non-original footage in DOT campaign video

By Sean Rafio

DDB Philippines, the agency contracted for the launch of the country’s new tourism campaign “Love the Philippines,” apologized on Sunday for an “unfortunate oversight” regarding the inclusion of non-original stock footage in an audiovisual presentation.

The DOT had ordered an investigation into the claims, which blogger Sass Sasot said contained at least five scenes shot in other countries: rice terraces in Bali, Indonesia; a fisherman throwing a net in Thailand; a passenger plane in Zurich, Switzerland; jumping dolphins; and a person driving a vehicle on sand dunes in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

In a statement, DDB Philippines said it takes full responsibility after online posts alleged that the AVP used several clips from subscription-based stock footage website Storyblocks that were not shot in the Philippines.

“While the use of stock footage in mood videos is standard practice in the industry, the use of foreign stock footage was an unfortunate oversight on our agency’s part. Proper screening and approval processes should have been strictly followed,” the statement read.

“The use of foreign stock footage in a campaign promoting the Philippines is highly inappropriate and contradictory to the DOT’s (Department of Tourism) objectives,” it added.

According to DDB, the video in question—uploaded on social media — was “intended to be a mood video to excite internal stakeholders about the campaign” and was funded internally.

“This is an isolated incident, and the AVP [has] already been taken down as of this time… The succeeding ad materials have yet to be produced for this campaign,” it said.

The agency also produced the AVP at its own expense, “and no public funds were released, or would be released, to fund the video. This was a DDB initiative to help pitch the slogan.”

“We are fully cooperating with, and assure our full compliance towards the Department of Tourism’s investigation of this matter. We sincerely hope this will not diminish the genuine love and appreciation the stakeholders and the public have been showing for the Love The Philippines campaign,” DDB added.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco had that the DOT spent P49 million on the “Love the Philippines” campaign and slogan.

“While no public funds have been paid for the AVP in question as this particular component of the launch was released on the account of DDB, the DOT holds the responsibility of promoting the country to the highest standard,” the department said.