The ad agency who created the controversial “copycat video” for the Department of Tourism (DOT) said that it did not rip off the concept from a South Africa’s tourism campaign released in 2014.
McCann Erickson said that there “has never been any intention to copy others’ creative work.”
“Our latest 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,” McCann said in a statement published on ABS-CBN News.
The one-minute video released on Independence Day was called out by Filipinos on social media for allegedly ripping off the 2014 South Africa campaign “Rediscover South Africa.”
“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. We take full responsibility as ALL ideas and storyboards presented were conceptualized by McCann Worldgroup Philippines,” the company said.
The DOT also released a statement defending the video.
“Our ad that was released yesterday was beautifully executed. While it has similarity with the ads of South Africa, the biggest difference really is that is a true story. The Japanese retiree is an actual retiree residing in the Philippines,” said Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre.
