One Million Moms Against JC Penny's Part 2 (Feb. 2, 2012)

OMM began contacting JC Penney after the store announced that comedian Ellen Degeneres would become the company's new spokesperson. Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of its customers are traditional families. As consumers, what we find tragic is a corporate office and customer service department that not only transfers customers to voicemail, but even hangs up on them rather than verses hearing their concerns.

It is absurd to think that a company would find treating customers in this fashion an acceptable behavior. Our members stated their concerns in a kind, professional manner. Insulting customers by ignoring us will not be tolerated. OMM members can shop elsewhere if JC Penney does not appreciate our business. Unless JC Penney decides to be neutral in the culture war and listen to customers in a considerate fashion, their brand transformation will be unsuccessful.

Degeneres is not a true representation of the type of families who shop at the retailer. The small percentage of customers they are attempting to satisfy will not offset their loss in sales by offending the majority.

Since JC Penney won't listen to us nationally, it is time we let them hear from us locally!

TAKE ACTION

Since the corporate office doesn't consider your call important, please call your local store manager. Local managers can are more likely to listen to your concerns and pass them along to the corporate office.

Urge them to tell corporate that Ellen DeGeneres is a poor choice for spokesperson and should be replaced with someone who more represents your family values (please be polite when you call).
You can find the phone number of your local store here, or in your local phone directory.
Sincerely,

Monica Cole, Director
OneMillionMoms.com

OMM Attacks JCPenny's - My Reply

One Million Moms has launched their attack on JCPenny's for choosing Ellen Degeneres as their new spokes woman. There attack supposes that JC Penny's mostly caters to "Traditional Families" and that these "Traditional Families" will be offended by them having a homosexual spokeswoman...  BUT, here are a few facts - First, people from all walks of life, including myself, love Penny's and shop there often. Secondly, a great many "Traditional Families" hold beliefs which include accepting homosexuality as completely normal. And third, the vast majority of customers don't care who the spokes person is or what their sexuality is.

HOWEVER, as with most of their "causes" One Million Mom's makes a point to target "issues" that no one else is bothering with. Penny's will get a few thousand calls and emails from members of the OMM group demanding that they fire Ellen simply because of her sexuality. And, since they aren't getting even a fraction of that amount of customers calling saying they are glad to see Ellen as the spokes woman, Penny's will back down. Not because Penny's is in any agrees with this group, but because good business dictates that they side with their customers. So when the only significant feedback on this issue that they get is against it, good business sense says "side with the majority" and find a new spokes woman.

Now, I'll be honest, I'm not an Ellen fan. I don't find her attractive or funny or even interesting. Often I wonder why she is famous when I'm not. But SHE is not the reason One Million Mom's is targeting Penny's, her sexuality is, and THAT is something I will stand up against. The more and more "victories" this group experiences the stronger they get and the more recruits they will find.

So, here's the deal, One Million Moms has asked that their members call Penny's and request that they replace Ellen as their spokes woman. I, for one, will be calling both their customer service center and their corporate headquarters to support their choice to hire Ellen. I hope that you will do the same. Phone calls are a pain in the butt to make, but I think when it means standing up against hatred, bigotry and intolerance - not to mention discrimination based on sexuality - I think a little time on hold is worth it!

Their numbers are 972-431-8200 (customer service) and 972-431-1000 (corporate headquarters).

One Million Moms Against J.C.Penny (Feb. 1, 2012)

Recently JC Penney announced that comedian Ellen Degeneres will be the company's new spokesperson. Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families. More sales will be lost than gained unless they replace their spokesperson quickly. Unless JC Penney decides to be neutral in the culture war then their brand transformation will be unsuccessful.

Their marketing strategy is to help families shop and receive a good value for their money. Degeneres is not a true representation of the type of families that shop at their store. The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there. The small percentage of customers they are attempting to satisfy will not offset their loss in sales.

JC Penney has made a poor decision and must correct their mistake fast to retain loyal customers and not turn away potential new, conservative shoppers with the company's new vision.

"Importantly, we share the same fundamental values as Ellen," said Michael Francis, president of J.C. Penney Company in a press statement. "At JC Penney, we couldn't think of a better partner to help us put the fun back into the retail experience. Moving forward, we'll be focused on being in sync with the rhythm of our customers' lives and operating in a 'Fair and Square' manner that is rooted in integrity, simplicity and respect. We're thrilled that she's joining our team to help convey the exciting transformation under way."

"They have an incredible vision for the future and are completely re-inventing themselves to become America's favorite store," said DeGeneres in a press statement.

By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years.

* UPDATE: In a previous campaign we emailed Disney Channel and requested that the film "Little Manhattan" no longer air on their channel or at the very least cut out the offensive scenes. It did not air for some time. During last night's episode on January 31, the curse word OMM was concerned about being in a children's movie on a kid's network has been edited! The 10-year-old Gabe originally said, "What the hell?!" and now the word "hell" has been edited. Instead of the obnoxious beep to bleep out the foul language, which would raise questions, it was just removed. 

TAKE ACTION
Make a personal phone call to JC Penney's customer service department. Their numbers are 972-431-8200 (customer service) and 972-431-1000 (corporate headquarters).
Ask JC Penney to replace Ellen Degeneres as their new spokesperson immediately and remain neutral in the culture war.