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Subscribe to RSSA new Macy's ad mixes in footage from "Miracle on 34th Street" with cameos from several of the faces behind Macy's celebrity brands - including the controversial Donald Trump.
Snip snip snip. What's that sound? The sound of over 558,000 scissors at the ready.
If Macy's doesn't cut its ties to Donald Trump, over half-a-million signers of an online petition will be urged to cut up their Macy's store credit card, the creator of the petition, Angelo Carusone, told TODAY this morning.
Carusone, 30, said he started the petition on October 24th because he was a fan of the retailer and Trump's brand "doesn't reflect the magic of Macy's." He said Trump's brand was built on "consequence-free bullying," noting the birtherism controversy, and Trump's history of misogynistic comments.
After the petition started, things kicked up a notch when Trump tweeted calls for "revolution," following President Obama's re-election, and Macy's released a new ad featuring Trump. The new Macy's ad mixed in footage from "Miracle on 34th Street" with cameos from several of the faces behind Macy's celebrity brands. There's Justin Bieber, Martha Stewart, Taylor Swift, and then there's Donald Trump, skeptical that the old man in the stocking cap and suit is really Santa and tugging on his beard. Macy's sells a line of Trump-branded ties and fragrances. Stuart Elliot, the New York Times' advertising columnist, remarked that the ad was a "clever twist" on Trump's notoriety for casting doubt on whether President Obama's birth certificate and college transcript were real.
But to Carusone, director of online strategy for the media watchdog group Media Matters, the ad struck him as a cynical "embracing" of Trump's brand.
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His petition urging the retailer to break up with Trump has been steadily gaining traction through social media channels and media pickup. In the past Carusone, working independently, spearheaded online efforts to get Glen Beck ousted from Fox News.
The ad also featured an appearance by Martha Stewart, who served time after being convicted for insider trading. But Carusone isn't going after her because that was "a one-time thing," he said. "Macy's isn't building a business on top of her insider trading."
The Donald appeared unfazed by the growing online uproar. Trump spokesman Michael Cohen told TODAY, "The Trump Organization values its long standing relationship with Macy's and looks forward to many more years of continued success."
Macy's so far is not changing course. Reached for comment, Macy's senior vice-president of corporate communications told TODAY:
"Macy’s marketing and merchandise offerings are not representative of any political position. Many of the individuals associated with products sold at Macy's – or at any retailer, for that matter – express personal opinions that are not related to the merchandise we sell or to the philosophies of our company. In our merchandise assortment, we strive to meet our customers' expectations for unique and interesting products across a broad array of styles, categories and brands. This allows our customers to choose what they prefer. A longtime focus of Macy's holiday advertising has been to celebrate the season's spirit of generosity and goodwill through our ongoing "Believe" campaign, and that is the sole message of our holiday television commercials."
By Thanksgiving, Carusone said he planned on delivering the final petition to Macy's in-person.
Meanwhile he has already started building a sub-list of the petition signers who hold Macy's store credit cards, and if there's no action from the retailer, he will encourage them to start cutting up those cards. He got the idea after people started tweeting him pictures of themselves cutting up their cards.
It'll be just in time for Black Friday, one of the year's biggest shopping days.
Carusone said he emailed Macy's CEO, along with his executive personal assistant, repeatedly before beginning the campaign and throughout it and got "zero response."
"Next week is Macy's last chance," said Carusone.
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Leave a Comment:
I have dumped Macy's. My city has a small Macy's that used to be a Foley's. I liked the clothes that Foley's carried. I do not like the selection that is stocked in this smaller Macy's.
I'll vote with my wallet! I don't plan to buy any Trump ties or fragrances.
I suppose the fragrance smells a little like a pig stye?
why the heck should the pull trump from the ads. This country is going to hell in a handbasket because of crap like this. You don't like it don't watch it. This used to be a free country. Absolute garbage!
As an American, I am extremely offended at the outrageous and unAmerican claims that Trump has spewed for his OWN political agenda. I'm disappointed that Macy's has condoned his delusional behavior and put an ad out starring the lunatic. I usually do about 75% of my holiday shopping at Macy's and until they remove him from their company, I'll be shopping elsewhere. I won't be grabbing lunch at Chick-Fil-A, either. And that is my right :)
As an American you need to sit down and stop looking so foolish..
BOO DOWNTOWNJULIEBROWN! That's the best you can do! HA!
People who still have "Gone 2012" with an Obama "O" icons in their profile after the election is a done deal should take their own advice.
I remember Downtown Julie Brown being way cooler...
JaevisMom, I already handed you your ass on 16.9. Don't be so smug. Isn't it time to study for your Econ class?
You are an idiot Mandy, but you probably realized that years ago. I'm sure your husband and children did.
You people need to stop acting like communists, and your actions are showing it. I think we should take all these liberal people who call themselves american and are really communists and send them to North Korea where they belong.
Wonder if NBC Universal will dump Celebrity Apprentice...After all they do work for charities...then we can accuse COMCAST and NBC Universal of HATING ALL CHARITIES.
TIT FOR TAT.
How about changing your "GONE" logo. "He" is still here. He he he
LMBO!!!! @ralebol...LOL. Love it! :D
Banderlog.
Wah, Wah. Whiney people everywhere. Nobody seems to be able to give an opinion anymore without someone else crying about it. This guy just wants publicity. This guy should just mind his own business.
If Trump were a liberal, you Democrats would love him.
But we Do love him.
We love him for what a fool he is making of himself and the conservatives who idolize him.
And if the sun didn't rise tomorrow it would remain dark all day long, but it will, and Trump would no more be a progressive than Dick CHeney, nor would we have him.
He is an 'in your face' kind of guy. He would look great as part of your OWS crowd.
Kind of looks like 'falebol' is once again making a fool of HIMSELF!
NBC Should definitely dump Trump, and it is freedom of speech to protest something or someone we don't like. It really makes no difference to me if Macy's keeps him, they haven't been any different than any other department store since Federated took them over back in the 90's. But I can and I will state my opinion.
Leave it alone. The Republicans have proven themselves to be small-minded intolerant bigots. Let's not follow their example - it only makes their behavior look acceptable. Donald Trump is a bit of a buffoon and even in the ad, he keeps true to his character. Laugh about it and let it be.
GCV, you are correct. I hate to have to do it but someone has to speak out against the conservatives. Nevertheless, people must not get it twisted. Liberals are called "liberals" because we really do want EVERYONE have to experience equality. Gays, blacks, lesbians, hispanics, etc. We are FOR the people...big and small!
Trump is a damaged brand. Who cares about the petition, Trump is an embarrassment to Macys, to New York, and certainly to this great country.
Macy is free to use Trump, if it sells more ties, great, if it doesn't they'll fire him. And anyone is free to clip their credit cards, or boycott Macy's. This article is senseless.
Didn't know Macy's was using Trump. Don't care whether they keep him or not. I spend as much time worrying about him as he does me.
You haven't seen their t.v. Christmas ads the past few years?
Angelo Carusone, How dare this a$$hole tell anybody what to do. He needs to taught a lesson that will last a lifetime.
Boo! Why must Carusone be taught a lesson and not Donald Chump? I didn't see that as being fair and impartial.
Carusone, Some cacasenno cacasentenze. Stupid and ignorant Guinea ..
Trump and that road kill he wears on his head to hide the bald spot - Why is this stool still in the news?
I figured he would be off playing with Chuckles on the car elevator by now.
Gee, maybe republican's should boycott businesses owned by democrats. We could have a real split in the nation. 500,000 liberal sheep.
Macy's used to be a class act. Using a raving lunatic as a spokesman is an indication that no one is steering the ship.
'ondecko3 you sound like the "raving lunatic" here, its a good thing you arn't steering the ship.
Who cares who republicans or democrats boycott. Half of them couldn't find the store anyway. Republicans can't get too far from their trailers and democrats can't get too far from government paid for apartments. No wonder they can't get together.
He's bad for publicity- DUMP the CHUMP TRUMP