Anssi Kela, a Finnish singer known for his love for Fazer's 'Vihreät kuulat', recently found himself in the spotlight due to a complaint filed with the Advertising Ethics Council of Finland. This complaint was triggered by a social media post Kela shared in October, where he showcased a product gift he received from the retailer Verkkokauppa.com. In his post, Kela enthusiastically introduced their new Christmas calendar containing 2400 of the green balls, amounting to 52.8 kilograms, which he implied was ideal for him given his well-known fondness for the candy.

The update garnered attention when followers began sending Kela links to news about the launch of the calendar, leading him to express his excitement in his social media presence. He emphasized the volume of the product being delivered to him, which added a humorous and festive note to his announcement. However, this promotional approach raised questions about whether Kela's post constituted hidden advertising, prompting the Ethics Council to take action.

The controversy illustrates the careful line that public figures must navigate when engaging in product promotions on social media, especially regarding transparency and adherence to advertising regulations. As social media continues to serve as a platform for promotions, this case highlights the growing scrutiny of influencer marketing practices, and it underscores the need for compliance with ethical guidelines in advertising.