‘Recalibrate’ or DDB fiasco...

government “must rise and correct the mistake right away,” noting that tourism was “far too important” a sector to be jeopardized by the blunder.

The DOT, headed by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, announced Monday, July 3 it was terminating its P49-million contract with the advertising agency DDB Group Philippines, which conceptualized the new “Love the Philippines” logo and slogan and later accepted blame for the improper use of clips of foreign tourist destinations.

But Gordon said DDB was too big a company to “overlook a mistake that big.”

“It is their duty to review and have everything checked or the mistake will bite you. More importantly, it will rabidly hurt the Philippines,” he said.

Gordon stressed the urgency of mitigating the “gargantuan” damage of the blunder to the country’s international image.

“We need to stop and focus,” he said.

The Philippine Red Cross chair made the remark on the same day the DOT announced it was scrapping its deal with DDB.

The ad agency on Sunday, July 2 said it was taking full responsibility for the lapse and would fully cooperate with the DOT in its investigation.

DDB sought to appease critics by saying the promotional material was “intended to be a mood video” and produced on its own initiative “to help pitch the slogan,” which replaced the previous administration’s “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

Deciding it was best to part ways with DDB for the campaign, DOT cited its right to “proceed with termination proceedings against its contract with DDB.”

It would also “review standards of performance or lack thereof” as well as exercise its right to “forfeit performance security” if it deems necessary.

‘No payment’ doubted

The tourism department also pointed out that no payments had been made to the ad agency.

Gordon, however, cast