DOT contractor apologizes over stock footage in 'Love the Philippines' video

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

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.

The DOT on Saturday 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.

The department said that prior to the launch of the new slogan, it had "repeatedly sought confirmation" from DDB regarding the originality and ownership of all materials contained in the AVPs and key visuals, and they were assured of these.

The DOT also said no public funds were used for the questioned video, which DDB echoed, saying that it produced the video at its own expense and that it was an initiative to help pitch the slogan.

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.

Meanwhile, the DOT said it would ''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.''

Last Tuesday, the "Love the Philippines" campaign was officially introduced, replacing "It’s More Fun in the Philippines," which had been running since 2012.—VBL, GMA Integrated News