THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded businesses that they need to secure permits first before embarking into any marketing strategy, following the recent online uproar over a takoyaki store’s stunt on April Fool’s Day.

During an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Thursday, DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles reiterated that such marketing stunts fall under the definition of sales promotion because its purpose is to increase customers and sales, as well as to promote the brand.

“Under the regulations, DTI has the authority over that. They have to secure a permit (for sales promotion),” Nograles said.

It will be recalled that the takoyaki store “Taragis” had posted on social media giant Facebook on April Fool’s Day to which they dared to tattoo Taragis’ logo on one’s forehead, and whoever will do it will receive a P100,000 prize.

Someone reportedly participated and showed him with the store’s logo on his forehead and asking the business owner, Carl Quion, where to claim his prize.

But Taragis’ Facebook page said that they do not have any responsibility on what happened because the post had a disclaimer.

It caused an uproar online to which the business owner admitted on April 6 that it was all a marketing stunt and the person who tattooed the business logo on his forehead was an accomplice.

“If they don’t have the promo permit from DTI, they can be held responsible for the violation of conducting (the) promotion without securing first the sales of promo permit,” she said.