The city of Helsinki in Europe is making a bold move to support Pamela Anderson in reconnecting with her Finnish heritage by offering assistance in changing her name. In a recent interview with Vogue Scandinavia, Anderson expressed a strong bond with her Finnish grandfather, Herman Hyytiäinen. Originally, Hyytiäinen was her grandfather’s surname before it was altered to Anderson upon his arrival in Canada in 1908.
Anderson expressed her desire to reclaim the Hyytiäinen name, stating, “Sometimes I don’t want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiäinen.” Despite her interest in changing her name, she mentioned facing obstacles in doing so.
Responding to Anderson’s sentiments, Helsinki has launched a campaign through Helsinki Partners, a marketing and talent attraction company, offering support for Anderson to adopt the Hyytiäinen name. The campaign includes online advertisements and billboards near Anderson’s residence on Vancouver Island. A video ad featuring Finnish actor Janne Hyytiäinen, humorously dubbed as the “world’s most famous Hyytiäinen,” proposes three methods for Anderson to embrace the Hyytiäinen name: through marriage, adoption, or a legal name change.
Dubbed as “Operation Make Pamela a Hyytiäinen,” the campaign aims to entice Anderson to visit Helsinki, emphasizing the city’s reputation as the world’s happiest nation. Billboard ads erected in Ladysmith, B.C., where Anderson hails from, directly target Anderson, offering assistance in reconnecting with her Finnish roots.
Soila Lehkonen, head of brand and public relations at Helsinki Partners, described the campaign as a warm invitation for Anderson to explore Helsinki. Regardless of Anderson’s decision on her name change, Helsinki hopes she will consider visiting Finland to experience the city and its culture.
Although Anderson has not responded to the campaign, Helsinki remains hopeful for her visit and potential name change in the future.