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TOURISM MARKETING

National tourism campaign used visuals taken in other countries

By our News Team | 2023

DDB agency in Philippines issues an apology after video to promote local tourism found to have used footage from four other nations.

The Philippines office of ad agency DDB Worldwide was forced to issue an apology yesterday (Sunday) after it was found that footage it included in a video promoting tourism to the Southeast Asian nation actually contained visuals from other countries.

A report by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency found that the video, compiled by DDB Philippines, contained stock footage shot in Indonesia, Brazil, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

Tourism Marketing

Photo credit: Philippines Department of Tourism

A local blogger, Sass Rogando Sasot, originally queried some of the material in a social media post, and AFP then fact-checked the visuals.

A report published on Sunday in The Philippine Star newspaper said DDB Philippines acknowledged the use of foreign stock footage was “an unfortunate oversight” on its part. 

Use of foreign stock footage ‘highly inappropriate’

“Proper screening and approval processes should have been strictly followed. The use of foreign stock footage in a campaign promoting the Philippines is highly inappropriate, and contradictory to the Department of Tourism’s objectives,” the agency said.

It added: “It is important to note that the [audio-video presentation] was produced by DDB Philippines at its own expense, and no public funds were released, or would be released, to fund the video.” 

The new campaign, entitled ‘Love the Philippines’ was only released on 27 June and has now been suspended so that new material can be prepared.

AFP and The Philippine Star reported that a statement released over the weekend by the country’s Department of Tourism said it had “repeatedly sought confirmation from DDB on the originality and ownership of all materials contained in the AVPs (audio-visual presentations) and key visuals presented to the department”.

“In all these occasions, DDB repeatedly assured the DOT that the originality and ownership of all materials are in order,” the ministry said.

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Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.