'HappySlip blogs' fetches DOT an Anvil

THANKS to HappySlip, the US -based Filipino-American video blogger, the Philippine Department of the Touris m (DOT) has recently been awarded the Grand Bronze Anvil Award and the Anvil Aw ard of Excellence. The DOT launched its online public relations marketing program to reach out to Americans to visit the Philippines, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Duran o in a statement. The Grand Bronze Anvil Award is given to the most outstanding public relations tool designed and implemented during a year, in this case, in 2008. âI am very pleased that our venture into Internet marketing and PR to reach and invite thousands of North Americans to visit the Philippines is once again rec ognized by the countryâs PR industry,â Durano said. The DOT brought Filipino-American Cristine Gambito to popular sights in the country, to promote the Philippines and to meet fans who lined up to se e her. She eventually created several video blog episodes about her trip here. According to the DOT, the campaign generated about 50,000 visits to the agency âs website called âExperience Philippinesâ in just four months. The campaign targeted second and third generation Americans and Canadians. Gambito is known for her character named âHappyslipâ on YouTube and other onlin e video sharing sites. Happyslip is a pun on the âHalf slipâ her mom used to fo rce her to wear when she was a girl. The DOT partnered with digital agency Euro RSCG/Agatep in the âHappySlip Blogs â campaign. âOur experience in this project dramatizes the potential of video blogs in enga ging Internet users and shaping their opinions. YouTube videos are no longer fo r sheer entertainment. They can help sell a country,â Euro RSCG/Agatep managing director and chief creative officer Norman Agatep said. Here's episode one of her videos she posted on YouTube: