Poster JoAnn Falletta
Conductor JoAnn Falletta appears in a video about the making of a new Macy's ad in which she's featured.
Macy's

Conductor JoAnn Falletta featured among 'real women' in new Macy's ad campaign

In a bid to feature "real women" doing extraordinary things, retailing giant Macy's is featuring conductor JoAnn Falletta among five other women in its new "Remarkable You" promotional campaign.

"We're concentrating on casting women in our commercials who are more representative of real women," Rich Lennox, chief marketing officer of the department store chain, told Ad Age about the decision not to use models. "We went out and found some extraordinary women."

Set to the tune of "I'm Just a Girl," by No Doubt, the ad also features everyday superstars like public defender Tiffiny Blacknell and aerospace engineer Mishaal Ashemimry. The TV spot runs 30 seconds, but here's the one-minute online version:

In a companion interview, Falletta describes her style and what she likes, which includes looks that are eclectic, colorful and artistic. Given a choice, she opts for the cello over the violin and, when prompted for a classical piece, she hums the opening of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony.

But she also turns serious, in keeping with the ad campaign's attempt to go beyond selling clothes.

"I think change is happening for women in this country in all walks of life, in all professions," Falletta says. "So the idea that now there are more and more women conductors is a great sign that women are being seen in leadership roles."

Asked for closing advice, she says, "Do what you feel passionate about. Don't settle for anything less than that."

Watch the full interview:

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