Comments on: Where does advertising stop and deceiving begin?

By: felipev84

felipev84 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:36:13 +0000

Pedro, interesting reflection. Another dark side related to the Colombia is Passion campaign is related to sexual tourism and child exploitation in Colombia. Passion, especially in Spain and in other European countries, is linked to sexual pleasure. In that sense, the campaign does little to dissociate Colombia’s booming sexual tourism in places like Cartagena with the official promotion message of the government. This is also in view of the government’s recent decision not to allow the distribution of pamphlets alerting tourists about the crime of sexual exploitation.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:56:49 +0000

Thank you all for your comments.

I apologize because I had mistakenly said that 50% percent of the letters received by the “Luis Angel Arango” echoed the words of the Colombia is Passion advertising. The actual figure is 10%. The article has been corrected.

Here is the link to the webpage in Spanish of “Letters of Persistence” from the public library Luis Ángel Arango.

By: Francisco S

Francisco S — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:07:11 +0000

While I agree with what you are suggesting, that Colombias do deserve a new beginning looking at the brighter side of things, I also agree with Pedro (or at least with what I thought he tried to convey). The ad is magnificent, definitely will hit one of its targets which is boosting tourism. That is okay for the public from other countries. Now, let us ask the question how a Colombian should take this ad. Do you really need an ad telling you how great you are to actually realize that? What changed from “before the ad” and “after the ad” is just a matter of perception of the people about themselves, and this opens up another question: Is the Colombian people so gullible to believe whatever you throw at their TVs? So if tomorrow another ad comes out telling you that Colombia is the worst country in the world, would you buy that?
I think that is the problem Pedro is tackling. People should have their own criteria and not let themselves believe whatever comes in through their ears.
Do you really need someone telling you things to actually become aware of them? Was not the Colombian People passionate even before this ad?

By: Tatiana

Tatiana — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:26:35 +0000

How harsh are your words! Harsh, yet not untrue. At least not completely. Nonetheless, while I agree that a campaign should not blind us and make us forget the thirst for justice and the cruelty that takes place every single day in our country, I am a witness of how Colombia is home to millions of happy and passionate people, and every time I come and visit I can breathe the hope and strength of its inhabitants. “Where does advertising stop and deceiving begin?” I don’t know, but in the case of Colombia I believe that, paradoxically, misery and happiness simply coexist in their fullest.

If you had a chance to move back in time and decide whether or not this campaign should exist, what would you do Pedro? Do you really think Colombia lacks passion? Are you suggesting tourists should refrain from visiting?

By: Jose M

Jose M — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:31:58 +0000

I don’t get this article. It sounds as if you are saying that because Colombia has been struggling with violence, then in doesn’t deserve anything better. You are reading too much and too wrong into that campaign. Of course its sponsored by the government… who else? that is far from a secret. Why do you insist that the history of the Country negates the truth behind the video? yes, Colombia has had its fair share of violence. If that does not move you to stand your position against that violence that you are dooming yourself to live in the past. Are the messages within the video false just because Pablo Escobar sough a reign of terror fifteen years ago? is Colombia less beautiful of its people less friendly because drug money has penetrated everywhere? What are you saying, that if we don’t focus on the bad then its not entirely true?You say that half of almost 7,000 victims of terror are inspired by this video… and this is a bad thing? what would you rather have them write about? weep, complain and focus on the negative, like you, or inspire and be inspired, share hope and nurture an idea that even though there has been much violence, it has been by a few, not by by the Colombian people in general. As a Colombian and victim of violence, I am offended by you. Not by your unfounded words, which you are certainly entitled to from cozy, far away Boston, but by your idea that a message like Colombia is Passion is crap, and that our violent past and present forbids us with wanting a better future, and working hard for it, and we only put out videos with more real messages like ‘Colombia is Violent.’ Please.

By: Rodrigo Pulido F.

Rodrigo Pulido F. — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:48:57 +0000

“Colombia is Passion” is the way people should start thinking. Only through possitive thinking can humanity be able to succeed and move on to better things. Although it is certainly not possible to deny the negative aspects of a particular situation, event or country, as in this case, what it shouldn´t be done is to advertise and spread these negative aspects. WHAT YOU DONT KNOW, DONT HURT YOU. Or is it OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND!? Either way, the idea is to focus only on the brighter side of life.