JCPenney

JCPenney is thrilled to welcome Marisa Thalberg as consulting Chief Marketing Officer.   Marisa brings over three decades of experience leading transformative marketing initiatives to drive brand and business growth, and a depth of experience across complex retail environments and key categories like beauty, home and lifestyle. Her track record of creating lasting emotional connection and relevance with customers is outstanding. She joins the Company in a full-time consulting capacity at a pivotal time as we continue to strategically reinvest in our growth, including progressing core strategies like the launch of JCPenney Beauty, extended merchandise and product collaborations, completed store refreshes and improved digital shopping.   Under Marisa’s leadership, we look forward to continuing to strengthen the JCPenney brand and help customers make every dollar count.

On Thursday, JCPenney vice president of communications and philanthropy Michelle Sing hosted Aaron Chambers, director of new partnerships for Feeding America, for a lunch and learn session at our corporate headquarters. Associates had the opportunity to hear updates from Aaron and Michelle on the progress of our three-year partnership, learn about the programs our donation is funding and discover ways to increase our impact through volunteerism.   September is #HungerActionMonth, and we’re proud to partner with Feeding America to ensure neighbors in our community and across the country have access to the food they say they need to thrive. Learn more and join us in the movement to end hunger at https://lnkd.in/eGGid-4k.   In 2022, JCPenney, in partnership with the JCPenney Communities Foundation, announced a three-year, $500,000 commitment to Feeding America by 2025 to help address food insecurity in communities across the U.S. The donation supports child hunger initiatives like the Summer Food Program, School Pantry Program and after-school food programs. In support of this multiyear partnership, JCPenney presented Feeding America with a check for $175,000 during the event.

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, JCPenney is celebrating the contributions of local artists by commissioning art pieces to represent the influence of Hispanic culture in style, fashion, beauty or food in communities across the country. View the art and meet the artist in select JCPenney locations soon: ◾ La Plaza Mall in McAllen, Texas (Store 0226), Sept. 28 - Oct. 15 ◾ Stonewood Shopping Center in Downey, California (Store 1337), Sept. 30 - Oct. 15 ◾ Westland Mall in Hialeah, Florida (Store 1953), Oct. 2 - 15 ◾ Queens Center in Elmhurst, New York (Store 2814), Oct. 5 - 15 The artwork will be donated to local community institutions following the exhibition in stores. View more details on the JCPenney Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/g4HRZgur

On Wednesday, JCPenney CEO Marc Rosen hosted James C. Rhee, best-selling author of the red helicopter and former Ashley Stewart CEO, for a fireside chat with associates at the Company’s headquarters in Plano, Texas. When James was in kindergarten, he was gifted a toy red helicopter in gratitude for simply sharing his lunch with a friend who was going through a hard time. Decades later, the lessons learned from receiving this red helicopter served him as he developed a human centered-framework for success in Ashley Stewart’s transformation, a model now often imitated across the industry. The former high school teacher and Harvard Law graduate turned private equity investor unexpectedly took the helm of Ashley Stewart in 2013, and despite major hurdles, managed a transformation success story by leading with kindness, authenticity and goodwill. James shares his insights and knowledge in his book, red helicopter, which was published earlier this year. The conversation between Marc and James centered around how kindness and intangible goodwill can reshape a business and drive a new approach for #leadership and success. See below for photos from this week’s event.

Last week, JCPenney was honored to serve as a sponsor for Runway of Dreams Foundation's 10th anniversary Fashion Revolution adaptive fashion show in Brooklyn. For the fourth consecutive year, JCPenney showed off some of our most functional and fashionable #adaptive apparel during New York Fashion Week, showcasing looks for men, women and children from brands including St. John’s Bay, Mutual Weave, Arizona, a.n.a and Thereabouts. We also debuted #JameyPerryforJCPenney, a new, limited-time collaboration featuring apparel for women who use wheelchairs, and Jamey and some of her wheelchair basketball teammates took to the runway to model several looks from the collection.   JCPenney was one of six brands participating in the #NYFW show, which featured about 50 models of all ages, ethnicities and abilities. JCPenney team members including Wendy Santana, Jillian Roig (Cleary), Carl Byrd and Kate Crassweller were in attendance for an inspiring evening. Read more about the collection in Disability Scoop: https://lnkd.in/eTTjK2xi #RunwayOfDreams #AdaptiveFashion #FashionRevolution #NYFW2024

Last week, JCPenney Beauty and Salon dazzled at Local Profile’s 23rd annual Women in Business Summit in Plano, Texas. The event brings together over 600 women in all industries from across the #DFW area for a day of networking, speaker sessions and celebration.   #JCPenneyBeauty and Salon experts were on site to provide hair and makeup touch-up services, help attendees find their new favorite fragrance and distribute product samples, introducing them to the incredible product selection available at JCPenney Beauty. See below for photos from last week’s event and read more here: https://lnkd.in/gvncWgSu

September 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, and JCPenney is proud to celebrate the beauty and brilliance of Hispanic culture this month and always through our third annual #HopeAndWonder Hispanic Heritage Month collection. Hope & Wonder’s #HispanicHeritageMonth collection was designed by Hispanic members of the JCPenney Creative Coalition, a cross-functional team of diverse designers who bring their authentic experience to inspire each Hope & Wonder collection. This year’s collection theme is “Cultura is Strength,” and the product line includes pieces like a traditional guayabera, dresses with floral embroidery and home décor designed with family gatherings in mind. For the third year in a row, 100% of net profits from this collection will go to Latinitas. Latinitas is on a mission to empower young Latinas, and all girls, to innovate through media and technology. Latinitas programming includes after-school clubs, camps, events and publications where they provide spaces, both physical and online, for students to express themselves, develop their skills, learn about their culture, and discover their unique voice. Learn more on the JCPenney Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/gRBVYGim

JCPenney is proud to launch the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Design Challenge, created to give full-time students enrolled in designated Hispanic-serving colleges and universities nationwide an opportunity to showcase their creativity across our stores and online platforms. Students will have the opportunity to earn a cash prize and receive dedicated mentorship as they pursue their long-term career goals. The challenge theme, Somos: We Are, is inspired by the rich cultural tapestry of #Hispanic communities. Students are encouraged to create innovative designs that honor their cultural roots, showcase traditional elements and promote unity within the community. Challenge participants are encouraged to explore and express heritage through fashion by drawing inspiration from traditional textiles, patterns, symbols and colors and through positive and unifying messages that uplift and motivate the community. Submissions are due by November 3, 2024. The first and second place winners will be awarded scholarships, an all-expenses-paid visit to JCPenney’s headquarters in Plano, Texas, mentoring sessions with JCPenney leaders and more. Finalists will be notified by December 6, 2024. For full challenge rules and details on how to enter, visit the JCPenney Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/g4HRZgur #HispanicHeritageMonth #HSIDesignChallenge

JCPenney is celebrating and uplifting Hispanic culture this Hispanic Heritage Month with initiatives intended to honor vibrant traditions and give back to communities. Highlights of these activities include: ▪ Launching the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Design Challenge, created to give students an opportunity to showcase their creativity and earn a cash prize and dedicated mentorship ▪ Showcasing Hispanic tradition and culture through our "Cultura Is Strength" campaign ▪ Giving back to Latinitas through our #HopeAndWonder #HispanicHeritageMonth Collection ▪ Highlighting Hispanic artists and creators through community events including a store tour with Jenny Martinez, commissioning local artists to create art for stores, and announcing an exclusive partnership with Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter and producer #Joaquina Learn more on the JCPenney Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/g4HRZgur https://lnkd.in/gp-nnie6

In commemoration of September 11, members of the Heroes business resource team, a diverse internal network of former active military personnel, first responders and the associates who support them, partnered with Carry The Load to support their nationwide initiative to clean headstones and improve the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemeteries across the country. On the anniversary of this tragedy, we pause to remember all those who were impacted by the events of 9/11. Today and every day, JCPenney is grateful for the first responders who bravely answered the call 23 years ago and to those who continue to serve their communities around the country.