Ad firm seeks ‘sensible resolution’ of flap

MANILA, Philippines - Advertising firm McCann Worldgroup Philippines is seeking a “sensible resolution” of the controversy over an advertisement it produced for the Department of Tourism, as it “regretted” the DOT’s scrapping of the deal.

In a statement, McCann said it respected the DOT’s decision to discontinue its relationship with the advertising giant. McCann did not apologize for the negative effects of the ad.

“While we regret the decision of the DOT to discontinue our partnership, we continue to believe that it is in the best interest of all parties to discuss a sensible resolution to this matter,” the McCann statement read.

“Nevertheless, we respect any decision made by the DOT and, while regrettable, we thank the DOT for the opportunity to serve, and we wish them continued success in their future endeavors,” it added.

 McCann also said it learned of DOT’s decision from news reports and in the press conference held by the DOT on Tuesday, but the firm has not yet received a copy of the department’s decision. 

In a press conference on Thursday, DOT spokesman Ricky Alegre said the department discontinued its relationship with McCann after the advertisement titled “Sights” was found to have “glaring similarities” with the “Meet South Africa” commercial of South Africa in 2014. 

“In the midst of this controversy, the DOT expects a public apology from McCann over the negative feedback that the department has been receiving, owing to the glaring similarities between McCann’s ‘Sights’ ad and South Africa’s ad released in 2014,” Alegre said. 

The DOT refused to issue a statement on McCann’s apparent refusal to apologize to the department.

The DOT also said it reopened the procurement process for the production of new advertising material, which will be consistent with the current slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”