JC Penney CEO: ‘Ellen Represents The Values Of Our Company’

[demmiblue]

Source: Think Progress

JC Penney CEO Ron Johnson spoke out this morning in defense of the company’s new partnership with Ellen DeGeneres. The conservative group One Million Moms has called for a boycott against the store for “jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon,” but both JC Penney and DeGeneres have defended the partnership. Johnson told CBS News that he sees no controversy because “Ellen represents the values of our company”:

JOHNSON: We stand squarely behind Ellen as our spokesperson and that’s a great thing, because she shares the same values that we do in our company. Our company was founded 110 years ago on The Golden Rule, which is about treating people fair and square, just like if you treated yourself. And we think Ellen represents the values of our company and the values that we share. [...]

As we thought about all the people in America today, we thought Ellen would be the perfect [spokes]person, because we all kind of trust her. She’s a very honest, straight-forward person with extraordinary values… It’s been unbelievably wonderful to work with someone who is so kind, so gracious, so funny, who just I think captures what America is about.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/09/422100/jc-penney-ceo-ellen-represents-the-values-of-our-company/

[gratuitous]

1. Idiots

Don't they understand they're supposed to compromise and backtrack so as to please people who will never like them anyway? Have the last three years taught them NOTHING?!

[aquart]

2. I will find a way to buy something from them.

[Mz Pip]

3. One millions moms my ass

Last edited Thu Feb 9, 2012, 04:07 PM - Edit history (1)

More like a couple hundred reactionary twits with loud voices.

[Old and In the Way]

8. Exactly....they will be no bite from this paper dog.

And I hope others will take notice that it's a handful of people in all of these astroturf organizations who are trying to incite social discord and divisiveness in this country. Why? To distract the American people from the real economic issues that they don't want to see addressed.

[immoderate]

4. I will shop there.

It's a bit out of the way. OTOH, and what counts, I have been satisfied with my purchases there in the past.

I bet they actually get a boost in business from this. I'm happy for that.

--imm

[rfranklin]

5. They are definitely not One Millillion MILF!

But they can do it to themselves and I wouldn't mind.

[qb]

6. I am impressed!

Besides boycotting Walmart & Target I haven't given a lot of thought to the places I shop, but I'll definitely head to JCP the next time I need something.

[vademocrat]

7. I sent a thank you email to them yesterday - got a very nice response back -

JCPenney's corporate response to my thank you email"

"As we focus 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 couldn't think of a better partner than Ellen DeGeneres. We are extremely proud to have her on our team."

Here's the email I sent (luckily I needed a couple of things!):

"I just want to take a minute to thank you for standing by Ellen Degeneres as your spokesperson in the face of the American Family Association's group call to boycott JC Penney. Ellen is a warm, caring, honest person who represents the best of what America can be. The AFA's hateful attack is fueled by fearful, small-minded bigots who represent the worst of what America can be. Today I consciously chose to shop at Penney's as a small way of saying thank you. Even though I hadn't been to the Penney's near me in several years, I spent $100 there today. I will be back. Thank you again for standing up to the petty bigotry of the AFA."

[qb]

11. Thanks for the idea - I just sent them a thank you!

[vademocrat]

13. Great! I wanted to let them know many of us "have their back" on this

[Initech]

9. Who are the "One Million Moms" and don't they have anything better to do?

[treestar]

10. I shop there

And will continue to do so!

Hateful bigots, they have nothing against Ellen other than her being gay! That's it! I guess everyone who watches her entertainment is on the "pro gay bandwagon" too. And proudly on said bandwagon.

[Scurrilous]

12. K & R