Ad Agency Apologizes for Using Stock Footage in DOT Tourism Video
The recent release of a tourism promotion video by the Department of Tourism (DOT) has sparked criticism from the public. It has come to light that the video clips used in the campaign were sourced from stock footage from Thailand, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, available on the rapid video creation platform, Storyblocks.
In response to the controversy, the advertising agency responsible for creating the video, DDB Philippines, has issued an official statement apologizing to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the DOT, and the Filipino people for the use of non-original or stock footage in the audio-visual presentation of the Love The Philippines campaign.
DDB Philippines profusely apologizes to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the DOT, and the Filipino People for the apparent use of non-original or stock footage in the audio-visual presentation shown in the launch event of the Love The Philippines campaign, the agency stated.
The agency acknowledged its role as the DOT’s agency on record for the campaign and took full responsibility for the oversight. They explained that the video in question, uploaded on social media, was intended as a mood video to excite internal stakeholders about the campaign.
DDB Philippines clarified that the production costs for the video were shouldered by the agency itself and no public funds were used. They emphasized that the use of foreign stock footage was an unfortunate oversight on their part and admitted that proper screening and approval processes should have been strictly followed. They also acknowledged that using foreign stock footage in a campaign promoting the Philippines is highly inappropriate and contradictory to the DOT’s objectives.
The agency assures that this was an isolated incident, and the offending video has already been taken down. They also mentioned that the succeeding ad materials for the campaign have yet to be produced.
DDB Philippines revealed that they are currently cooperating with the ongoing investigation by the DOT into the matter. They express their sincere hope that this incident will not diminish the genuine love and appreciation that stakeholders and the public have shown for the Love The Philippines campaign.
The DOT, on its part, had previously stated that DDB had confirmed the originality and ownership of the materials used in the campaign video multiple times. They emphasize their commitment to holding accountable anyone responsible for such incidents and taking necessary actions to protect the interest of the country.
It will not hesitate to exact accountability and take the necessary action to protect the interest of the country even as it continues to exhaust all efforts to develop and promote the Philippine tourism industry, said the DOT in a statement.
Despite the controversy, the DOT’s Love The Philippines campaign continues to move forward as the department works towards boosting the Philippine tourism industry.
