Tim Reid – President and CEO of Experience Regina – has issued an apology for using a slogan which some say is “steeped in toxic masculinity” and “Misogynistic”.
In a social media post scheduled to coincide with the launch of the new branding for what was previously known as “Tourism Regina,” the official experience Regina facebook page used a long running joke which draws on the fact that “Regina” rhymes with “vagina” – a move that drew fire from many on social media. Some called the move “classesless” – while others called for the resignation of Reid from the board for Experience Regina and REAL.
The Experience Regina Social media pages retweeted posts about the campaign that used innuendo, and even invited TSN personality Jay Onrait to visit and see our “Regina”.
In a statement issued via Twitter Reid apologized for the “negative impact” that was “created with elements of our recent brand launch.”
He continued by saying that the Experience Regina “fell short of what is expected of us by our amazing community with some of the slogans that we used.”
“Regardless of our intent, the impact is valid and for that we apologize,” continued Reid.
The original post by “Experience Regina” from March 16th read:
Alongside the rebrand campaign which is playing off a 2008 viral song which carries “Experience Regina” as the chorus – a line of merchandise was created.
The link to purchase merch for the campaign – some of which carried the “city that rhymes with fun”, slogan – has been disabled.
CEO of Experience Regina issued this apology Sunday
