DOT terminates tourism branding campaign contract with DDB Philippines after use of stock footage

July 3, 2023 | 4:05pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism on Monday terminated its tourism branding campaign contract with DDB Philippines, the advertising agency behind the “Love the Philippines” campaign launched last week and that has been criticized for its content and for the use of stock footage from tourist destinations abroad.

What went before

This development came days after the Philippine office of multinational DDB Worldwide was accused of using non-original or stock footage that was taken from other countries in a video that was eyed to promote the Philippines. It also came almost a week since the DOT launched the “enhanced” tourism campaign “Love the Philippines” during its 50th anniversary last June 27. 

“Love the Philippines,” created by DDB, replaced the eleven-year-old tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the DOT spent P49 million for the entire study, including the logo creation