Finnish Woman Pops the Question in Design Retailer Ad... with a Lamp

This year’s leap day was a day to remember for Finnish man Timo Zaitsev not only because his girlfriend Maria Ranta proposed, but especially because the way Ranta popped the question. The big question was asked on the leap day morning in a full page ad of Finnish design retailer Vepsäläinen. Instead of a proposal ring, Zaitsev was asked to accept a design lamp - as a symbol of an union that’s built to last.

To make sure Zaitsev actually saw the proposal, he was invited to his girlfriend’s workplace, a local café in the couple's hometown Lohja, to have a cup of coffee and read the daily newspaper where the ad was published. After the soon-to-be fiancé had read the big news, Ranta kneeled down to propose to the love of her life with an actual lamp.

“We got a hint of a couple that was planning on updating not only their interior decoration, but maybe their relationship status as well. As the traditional proposal day, 29th of February, was close by, we got a grand idea. Let’s give the couple one of our long-lasting design products to symbolise their hopefully upcoming partnership for life - just as our brand promise and slogan states: 'partners for life'. And if Miss Ranta is ready to propose publicly with this lamp instead of a ring, we'll make sure this moment will be unforgettable for them both. We will give her a chance to ask the big question in a full page ad in the largest subscription newspaper in Finland. And she said yes!” says Outi Lahtinen, the head of marketing of Vepsäläinen. 

“Well, this will be a day to remember in many ways, that’s for sure! At first I was naturally quite confused when they contacted me from Vepsäläinen and proposed this idea. But soon the confusion turned into pure excitement, as this would be literally a once in a lifetime chance to do something like this - call out my love for Timo in front of hundreds of thousands of eyes. And of course this was perfect timing otherwise as well, since we were in the middle of re-decoration our home anyway. So now we have at least this “engagement lamp”, which will get an honorary spot in our living room and stay there reminding us of this special day for the rest of our lives,” comments the fresh fiancée Maria Ranta the events. 

The stunt was created by TBWA\Helsinki.