Former NMP Eunice Olsen makes police report over 'sexist, derogatory' Circles.Life ad

SINGAPORE - Local actress-host and former Nominated Member of Parliament Eunice Olsen has lodged a police report over a Circles.Life advertisement.

An advertisement by digital telco operator Circles.Life at Raffles Place MRT station had the words: "@euniceolsen Would you rather French Kiss or take me out for the French Film Festival?".

The ad was part of a Circles.Life campaign that invited people to "submit your own Epic Invite and we just might blow it up on a billboard". The company invited participants to choose an event and invite their celebrity crush or friend.

The company has since taken down the ad, according to a Circles.Life spokesman.

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The spokesman said: "In regard to the Epic Invite campaign billboard that featured a submission by @alexkrygsman, we never intended to make Ms Eunice feel uncomfortable and we apologise for that.

"We are taking down the ad immediately. We will learn from this experience and appreciate the feedback."

In an Instagram post on Thursday morning (Nov 29), Olsen posted a picture of the ad. She said: "My manager and I do not know anything about this ad and the company did not seek permission to use my name. Just wanted to let all of you know that I am not part of this company's ad campaign."

The 41-year-old added that the ad is sexist and derogatory towards women.

On Thursday evening, she updated with another post on Instagram saying that she had lodged a police report about the ad. She also asked her followers for advice on her next course of action.

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She said: "Advertising can play a big role to influence gender equality. As a brand, ad agency, media buyer or media owner, you have the power through your ads to empower women, or disempower them. We are influenced by what we see in advertising whether we like it or not. By having ads like that, you are sending the wrong message and reinforcing stereotypes about women."

She added that she was "deeply disappointed, and disapprove of this ad and what it represents".

"It is misappropriation of identity, sexist, derogatory, disrespectful, distasteful and is a cheap shot at a publicity stunt," she said.

The Straits Times has contacted Olsen for further comments.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.