Regina city council not consulted about 'sexist' Experience Regina slogans: councillor
Marketing agency involved in campaign says 'unofficial' slogans weren't its doing
A Regina city councillor said she was "flabbergasted" by the slogans that accompanied a Regina's tourism organization's rebranding campaign.
Experience Regina, formerly known as Tourism Regina, announced its rebranding Thursday alongside several new tourism slogans that were lambasted by the public for their sexual innuendo and immaturity.
Tim Reid, CEO of Experience Regina, said the overall theme of the rebranding was well received, but apologizing on behalf of the organization for two slogans: "Show us your Regina" and "The city that rhymes with fun."
"I just couldn't believe that this was a campaign to promote the city," Ward 1 Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk said in an interview with CBC's Alexander Quon.
Stadnichuk said city council as a whole was not aware of, and did not approve, the slogans.
Stadnichuk pointed to sexual assault and intimate partner violence as reasons the slogans were inappropriate. She said victims of sexual assault and mothers were among those who contacted her to express offence.
Stadnichuk said promoting the inappropriate slogans "seems like a violation of any kind of decency."
"Although I'm thankful that REAL was quick to apologize for this, it is not enough."
REAL (Regina Exhibition Association Limited) is responsible for Experience Regina.
Experience Regina said it and its partners have removed all offensive and inappropriate content.
Holding the decision makers accountable
Brown Communications Group, an advertising agency that led the campaign, posted on Facebook about accusations that it had a role in the slogans.
"We are very proud of our work on the new logo and manifesto. However, we haven't had any involvement in the unofficial slogans," it said. "Nor were we consulted about their use."
On Monday, Kristen McLeod, a former Tourism Regina board member who was among the people who voiced opposition to the slogans, appreciated that Reid took responsibility for the campaign's misfires, but said the weight of the failures falls on the City of Regina and Mayor Sandra Masters.
A spokesperson for the mayor's office declined comment on Monday, stating Masters would speak on it after city council on Wednesday.
Stadnichuk posted to her city councillor Facebook page Monday afternoon calling for those responsible for the campaign and its messaging to answer to city council and the public.
"I want to express how incredibly disappointed and appalled I am with the sexist messaging of the new Experience Regina," she wrote.
"Council appoints the members of the REAL board and we must demand accountability."
Stadnichuk's said the next step is gathering the six signatures from council members needed to request a special council meeting and put the wheels in motion to seek responsibility for those involved. She said she wouldn't outline what kind of accountability would be doled out before speaking with other councillors.
Stadnichuk said REAL could have consulted with council before launching the campaign, as it did before the launch of a rebrand of Economic Development Regina.
Women's rights advocate hopes action follows apology
Talitha McCloskey, the co-founder of Raise Her Community an advocacy group for women's rights, said the campaign's slogans were regressive, evoking a time when women didn't have rights and were objectified.
She said her first thought when she heard the slogans was that she must be in a fever dream.
"How is this appropriate for a municipal organization to put out in 2023, during women's history month after international women's day?" she said.
WATCH| Why this women's group calls Experience Regina's launch 'gross':
Her organization sent a letter to Tim Reid and Experience Regina's leadership voicing its concerns and insisting the apology extends into action, including a stronger, more thoughtful relaunch that includes a focus group to weigh in on decisions.
Reid said in an interview with CBC Monday that focus groups and stakeholders were a part of the campaign.
A statement published Monday night on the Experience Regina Facebook page said the organization is committed to involving "diverse stakeholder groups in our decision-making process" and will better evaluate aspects of the brand.
McCloskey speculated that people who don't understand what's wrong with the slogans haven't faced discrimination.
"It seems like the city thinks that vaginas are more of a tourist destination than being something that is sacred and protected," McCloskey said.
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With files from Alexander Quon and Bonnie Allen