Ad firm said it didn’t intend “to copy others’ work” in latest tourism film

June 13, 2017

Advertising company McCann Worldgroup Philippines said it did not intend “to copy others’ creative work” after its latest film to promote Philippine tourism was similar to a South African campaign. “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 ( Department of Tourism) has been called out and accused of plagiarism, for work we have done to highlight the testimonial of a real retiree,” McCann Worldgroup said in a statement on Tuesday “We take full responsibility as all ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized by McCann Worldgroup Philippines,” it said. McCann said the film, “Sights,” was particularly inspired by the story of a visually-impaired foreigner who has made the Philippines his home and who has come to experience the Philippines in different ways. The minute-long clip, entitled “Sights” featured a Japanese retiree named M. Uchimura enjoying island hopping in the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan, dancing with the locals in Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, riding an ATV in Paoay Sand Dunes, and enjoying his snacks on the cobble-stoned Calle Crisologo in Vigan, the tourism department said in a statement Monday. “Here, you don’t have to see the sun to discover radiance; you don’t have to see colors to experience vibrance; you don’t have to see smiles to know you are safe; you don’t have to see to feel you are home,” said Uchimura in a voice over. Towards the end of the ad, Uchimura, who wears a hat and sunglasses takes out his walking stick to navigate Calle Crisologo, revealing he is blind. Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said the ad goes beyond featuring the country’s top destinations but more importantly, it encourages tourist to experience the Philippines themselves to know how it is to be a Filipino. DMS