Stands by ad agency behind movie and country’s present tourism campaign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6w7fwDrIzo
Video from the Department of Tourism’s YouTube channel (Tourism Philippines)
(Eagle News) — The Department of Tourism on Tuesday stood by the advertising agency behind the country’s present tourism campaign, denying allegations one of the movies it released in line with that campaign had been plagiarized.
“We stand by McCann (Worldgroup) Philippines,” Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre said in a press conference, amid allegations the film “Sights” had been plagiarized from a South African commercial.
“Sights,” the second of three films that are part of the Philippine tourism campaign, tells the story of a visually impaired Japanese who made the Philippines his home.
The first film, which targets millennials, has been released, Alegre said.
The third will be released within the year.
According to Alegre, who has worked in the industry before working in government, there are “creative executions to similarly situated stories but have unique propositions.”
“It is important to note that under the DOT, we have the Philippine Retirement Authority. Twenty seven thousand are registered with special visas. Japan is one of the countries that have chosen the Philippines to be a retirement place,” he said.
Real testimonial
In a statement, McCann said it took “full responsibility as all ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized” by the agency.
It noted, however, that the movie had not been plagiarized, and that everything in the film was real.
“..We underscore that there has never been any intention to copy others’ creative work. McCann Worldgroup Philippines has always strived to adhere to our guiding principle, ‘Truth Well Told,’ in everything we do. We stand by the integrity with which this campaign was developed,” it said.
“We acknowledge the feedback that the way this story was told may have similarities with the South African tourism campaign. It is unfortunate that the DOT has been called out and accused of plagiarism for work we have done to highlight the testimonial of a real retiree,” it added.
https://youtu.be/vmT327lsdqU
