For twenty-five years, Jean McFaddin
was responsible for creating Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and annual major
events to maximize its sales and brand success. She resigned from her full-time
Macy’s role in spring 2001, to pursue broader opportunities in the new millennium,
while continuing to serve Macy’s in an advisory capacity for the 75th Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade.
As Macy’s East Senior Vice President
in charge of Macy’s public relations and events from 1977-200l, she annually
produced Macy’s award-winning Thanksgiving Day Parade; a glorious Spring Flower
Show; America’s largest on-going 4th of July Fireworks Celebration; the
world-record-breaking “Tap-O-Mania” that assembles over 6,000 dancers in a
choreographed routine; and for Christmas, staged the Miracle on 34th Street
where over 300,000 children and adults visit Macy’s Santa Land each year.
Ms. McFaddin represented Macy’s on
numerous civic and industry councils which included the Mayor’s Host Committee
for the UN 50th Anniversary and NYC 2000 Millennium Committee. In serving the
community on Macy’s behalf, she has produced more than one hundred benefit
galas and fund raising events. These events raised millions of dollars for
community organizations, affirming Macy’s message, “We’re a part of your life”.
During her twenty five years of leadership,
Ms. McFaddin developed the Macy’s Parade and other annual events into
multi-dimensional spectaculars that attracted worldwide tourists and positive
media attention to Macy’s and New York City. She worked closely with the
licensing and entertainment industries, including Broadway, to create dynamic
partnerships that ensured fiscal stability while elevating these traditional
events to state-of-the-art entertainment that serve as benchmarks for the
industry. Ms. McFaddin received over a dozen Emmy Awards for Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parades in partnership with NBC with whom, on behalf of
Macy’s, she was responsible for network negotiations and telecast planning for
24 years. This included her development of the annual nationwide telecast of
Macy’s July 4th Spectacular fireworks through NBC network. In addition to
achieving a dynamic entertainment event stylized for television, Ms. McFaddin
pioneered advanced design standards and computer firing technology for
fireworks in association with America’s pyrotechnic companies.
In November, 2000, to celebrate her
24th Anniversary as Producer/Director of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the
City of New York renamed the famous corner of Broadway and 34th Streets “Jean McFaddin Way” for the month of
December.
In spring 2001, Ms. McFaddin retired
from her full time Macy’s role to pursue new directions and challenges. In her
honor, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani held a press conference at City Hall on April
19th to proclaim it “Jean McFaddin Day
in the City of New York.”
Ms. McFaddin enjoys ongoing success as
an entertaining, informative speaker in the events industry and at
international universities, as well as serving as a consultant to event
organizations and corporations. She is honored to be celebrated in the leading
“Halls of Fame” within the events industry, including IFEA, Events Solutions,
ISES, and Bizbash. Ms. McFaddin is
recognized in numerous publications for her success in staging giant scale
events, including David Rockwell’s book, ”Spectacle” and is featured in the
History Channel’s documentary “Inside Macy’s Parade.”
Join a fascinating discussion with
Jean as she shares the story of how she
re-built the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from a “sad” event to the
spectacular and iconic parade that nearly 50 million people watch each year.
Listen also as she talks about other, complimentary “events within the event.” These
are so important and enjoyable while building on and contributing to the
success of a “Main Event.” As Jean can attest, they sometimes become iconic on
their own!