Ellen

[GrayMatterWife]

I honestly cannot imagine that this would cause a real debate, but just in case, I am putting this in the Debates Forum.


So, Ellen DeGeneres recently was hired by JC Penney to be its pitchwoman. And, in response, a group called the Million Moms is objecting, arguing that, as a lesbian, Ms. Degeneres does not embody pro-family values. The group is planning a boycott to deprive JC Penney of the patronage of its members.

What an outrageous, misguided, untenable, ridiculous, extreme position: to assert that there are actually millions of people (moms or otherwise) who shop at JC Penney!

(Have you SEEN JC Penney's financials lately???)

[v-girl]

We have a JCPenney 5 minutes from us. I've only bought from the Sephora there. Anytime I've looked for anything else I came out empty-handed. LOL And I prefer the stand-alone Sephora in the other shopping center (the one where SoonerTexan went to lunch with her boss, then went shopping and ended up getting a fancy gift set for spending money).

[MrsK]

I go when I get a $10 off $10 purchase coupon. I hit the sales rack in the kids department. Once I got a set of Carter's pjs for forty-six cents. It's really awesome for free stuff. Not sure how their new price structure will affect that.

[Ladybug]

ROLF. Haven't been there in years. Probably the first time I've thought about JCPenneys in decades. Not bad
Publicity though. Hopefully they will capitalize on it while they can and change those financials.

[corn poffi]

I always park there at the mall because there's always an open spot!

[BonBon]

I object to Ellen being their spokeswoman too. Isn't she too cool to shill for JCP???

[Ladybug]

Me too! It's the most empty Parking lot During the holidays. What was Ellen thinking?

[GrayMatterWife]

I object to Ellen being their spokeswoman too. Isn't she too cool to shill for JCP???

That was kind of what I was thinking...seems like a great coupe for Target to grab her.

She appeals to JC Penney's target market (except for these particular Moms, I guess). And, her self-deprecation and every-womaniness make her seem like someone you might run into when shopping at JC Penney. Her selection as a pitchwoman seems more sincere than, for example, the choice of KMart to carry Martha Stewart products or Target's relationship with Isaac Mizrahi. RIGHT...like Martha and Isaac have ever stepped foot into a discount store!

Actually, that brings up something else...I don't remember anyone protesting Target hiring Isaac Mizrahi, and he's gay. Like super-duper flaming gay. And Martha Stewart's a convicted felon and total bitch. That trumps gay in terms of offensive behavior, right? I have never purchased a Martha Stewart product because I don't want a single dollar to go to that crone.

[Ladybug]

True

[MrsK]

Isaac's cousin used to color my hair. (Seriously, imagine Issac as a hair-stylist.) He felt like venturing into casual affordable wear was a mistake because his specialty was evening gowns. Though Target and HSN have made a lot of money for Issac. A lot more folks shopping at Target than buying gowns.

[GrayMatterWife]

Isaac's cousin used to color my hair. (Seriously, imagine Issac as a hair-stylist.) He felt like venturing into casual affordable wear was a mistake because his specialty was evening gowns. Though Target and HSN have made a lot of money for Issac. A lot more folks shopping at Target than buying gowns.

Yeah, Mizrahi's relationship with Target was mega profitable! It was too bad what happened to Mizrahi with Liz Claiborne. He could have done great things with that house.

[Momo]

JCP snagged the former VP of Apple's retail division, the guy who basically invented the hugely successful Apple stores. Before Apple he's the guy who turned Target around!! I'd say Ellen was a shrewd & brilliant choice, she brings a younger demographic and vibrant energy! I found it hilarious when Ellen pointed out that the Million Moms only had 40,000= Facebook followers! I enjoy following retail industry news & I can honestly say that from the looks of things I am going to be checking out their stores. I saw a copy of their Valentines/ Feb launch advertisement book & it looked great, had nice items & was priced competitively!!!

[L.Jane]

Funny enough, I think the publicity from this already worked on me. I was online shopping for my sister for a pretty specific top. After looking through nordstroms and Macys I ended up going to their website after remembering the whole ellen thing and found a top that worked perfectly for what she needed.

[scrub-jay]

That makes sense, they seem to be undergoing a serious image shift. I saw something about their return policy being looser - return anything, anytime. That is one reason I shop at Nordys, although I don't use it, I love their return policy.

[Chrisada]

But how random is it that the Kardashian's clothing line is in SEARS?!! I mean Sears? We go there for tires and snowblowers. I think that trumps all other spokesperson weirdness.