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The European city of Helsinki is, in the least subtle way possible, encouraging Pamela Anderson to explore her Finnish heritage, going so far as offering to help her change her name.
Last month, Anderson, of Baywatch and The Last Showgirl fame, was interviewed by Vogue Scandinavia, where she shared her deep connection with her Finnish grandfather, Herman Hyytiäinen (pronounced HOO-tee-an-in).
According to the story, Hyytiäinen was her grandfather’s name until it was changed to Anderson when he arrived in Canada in 1908.
WATCH | Pamela Anderson speaks with Vogue Scandinavia:
It’s a name she told Vogue she’d like to reclaim.
“Sometimes I don’t want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiäinen,” the Vogue story reads.
“I would like to change my name, but they won’t let me.”
Helsinki took notice — and has literally launched a campaign offering to help the star become a Hyytiäinen.
Helsinki Partners, a marketing and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki, has launched an ad campaign online, and put up billboard ads near Anderson’s Vancouver Island home.
The video ad features Finnish actor Janne Hyytiäinen, who claims to be the “world’s most famous Hyytiäinen.”
“We heard you want to take your grandfather’s Finnish family name, also Hyytiäinen,” he says in the ad. “Maybe we can help you.”
WATCH | Operation Make Pamela a Hyytiäinen:
He then proceeds to explain three ways for Anderson to truly become a Hyytiäinen: through marriage, adoption or a legal name change.
Hyytiäinen calls it “Operation Make Pamela a Hyytiäinen.”
“This is the capital of the world’s happiest nation. We guarantee you’d be happy here too.”
Meanwhile, three ads have been appearing on a billboard along the highway through Ladysmith, B.C., the small town in which Anderson grew up and now lives, about 88 kilometres north of Victoria. All of them are directed at Anderson specifically, offering to help connect her to her Finnish roots.
Soila Lehkonen, head of brand and public relations for Helsinki Partners, describes the campaign as a “warm invitation for Pamela to come to Helsinki.”
“If somebody really wants to reconnect with their Finnish roots, of course, we need to invite them over and help them do just that. So, that’s what we did,” she told CBC’s On The Island.
On The Island5:24Operation Make Pamela a Hyytiäinen: Helsinki pushes for Pamela Anderson to change her name
Gregor Craigie spoke with Soila Lehkonen, Head of Brand and PR for Helsinki Partners, a marketing and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki.
CBC News reached out to Anderson’s team for comment, but has not received a response. Lehkonen said her team hasn’t heard from the star yet, either.
While it’s unclear whether Anderson has seen the ads, she told Entertainment Tonight at the Golden Globes that she’s “sticking with Anderson.”
WATCH | Pamela Anderson says she’ll keep her name:
Even if she doesn’t really want to change her name, Lehkonen said Helsinki would still like for her to visit Finland.
“We’re inviting her over to see what the city and country is like. And then if she would want to pursue changing her name, then we’re really happy to guide her along the way and then help her forward.”
