SEA Games Update: Marketing, advertising campaign out soon

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc)chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said the absence of campaign materials for the 30th SEA Games in November does not mean that organizers are remiss on their job.

Cayetano cited the midterm elections on May 13 as the main reason.

“It won’t make sense to do it (SEA Games marketing) during the elections. It won’t give you the media value,” said the former Foreign Affairs secretary.

“Anyone who’s a professional in marketing and advertising will tell you na matatabunan lang (it will be upstaged) ng elections,” he added.

Several sectors have noticed the absence of billboards to generate public interest for the country’s hosting of the 11-nation sports meet from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

 “We have a marketing plan. You may agree or disagree with the plan but that’s the plan, and we will follow the plan,” said Cayetano.

The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday kicked off its own campaign to boost the morale of the SEA Games athletes and promote the Games with a pep rally dubbed “Go Pilipinas Go” at the Rizal Memorial baseball field.

“It’s their (PSC) initiative and we fully support it. It’s for the athletes,” said Cayetano. He said by June or July, the SEA Games marketing campaign will be in place.

He said that immediately after the elections, Phisgoc will begin putting up billboards to drum up the SEA Games hosting.

Cayetano said that during the campaign period for the May elections, the entire country will be littered with billboards, streamers, posters and other election paraphernalia.

“At a specific time, we will activate our own campaign,” he said.