Helsinki, the European city, has taken a direct approach to urge Pamela Anderson to reconnect with her Finnish ancestry by offering assistance in changing her name. Anderson, known for her roles in “Baywatch” and “The Last Showgirl,” recently expressed her strong bond with her Finnish grandfather, Herman Hyytiäinen, during an interview with Vogue Scandinavia. Originally, Hyytiäinen was her grandfather’s surname until it was altered to Anderson upon his arrival in Canada in 1908. In the interview, Anderson expressed her desire to reclaim her family name, stating, “Sometimes I don’t want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiäinen.”
Responding to Anderson’s sentiments, Helsinki Partners, a marketing and talent attraction company affiliated with the City of Helsinki, has initiated a campaign to support Anderson in adopting the Hyytiäinen name. The campaign features online advertisements and billboards near Anderson’s residence on Vancouver Island. In a video ad, Finnish actor Janne Hyytiäinen, self-proclaimed as the “world’s most famous Hyytiäinen,” offers assistance to Anderson in embracing her Finnish heritage by changing her name through marriage, adoption, or a legal process.
Dubbed “Operation Make Pamela a Hyytiäinen,” the campaign highlights Helsinki as the capital of the world’s happiest nation, ensuring Anderson’s happiness if she were to embrace her Finnish roots. Notably, billboards along the Ladysmith highway in British Columbia, where Anderson grew up, have been displaying messages tailored to Anderson, inviting her to explore her Finnish lineage.
Soila Lehkonen, the head of brand and public relations at Helsinki Partners, described the campaign as a warm invitation for Anderson to visit Helsinki and reconnect with her Finnish roots. While Anderson has not responded to the campaign, Lehkonen expressed Helsinki’s eagerness to welcome her to Finland, regardless of whether she decides to change her name. Helsinki aims to showcase its city and country to Anderson, providing support if she chooses to pursue a name change in the future.