Replies

Update
Spent the last 45 minutes burning up the wires.
Contacted Federated Department Stores' Investor Relations in Ohio, paged people at the balloon inflation (got a call back), left about 10 messages politely telling them about the terrible hijacking of their custodianship of an American Icon. Suggested that just like the Macy's man who saw the drunken Santa Claus on the float before the parade started, they should shoo Mr. Fiersten off the float and put a real Mrs. Claus on.
Mentioned Federated's shareholder equity is a risk ... regardless of where you stand on the political issue he has inappropriately inserted into the parade.

Macy's PR is issuing a statement he misrepresented his involvement in the parade. He is appearing as his character in Hairspray in another float.

Said that's nice, but you know this has already cost you big time and you should fire him entirely to avoid any possibility it gets brought up by the commentators and in case he has some other stunt lined up. Also a law suit might give you a chance to recoup some of the money he has cost you.

Called NYT OpEd to ask where was their fact-checker and gave them the number of their PR department that was reading the statement.

To make it clearer, however you wish to express your opinion, here are some of those numbers ...

Macy's PR 212-494-5245 or 5450 or 4660 or 4624
Federated corp office 513-579-7000
NYTOped 212-556-4985 or 3652

Dear Mr. Petr------,
Please accept our most sincere apologies for any confusion caused by Mr. Fierstein's comments. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the icon of the Thanksgiving Holiday. It has delighted and entertained families throughout the world for 76 years. The parade has never and will never be a platform for political and social issues and opinions. Its mission is to spread joy as well as to kick off the holiday season. In today’s New York Times Mr. Harvey Fierstein mistakenly communicated his role in the 77th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade as Mrs. Claus. This is untrue. Mr. Fierstein will be appearing in the Parade but as his beloved character Mrs. Edna Turnblad of the Broadway hit musical Hairspray.

We greatly appreciate the choice you made to shop at Macy's and regret that the comments made by Mr. Fierstein have caused such concern. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond and clarify our position.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Sue McMahon
VP Customer and Store Services
Macy's East