October 31, 2008

By By Kamau High, N.Y.

A new holiday ad campaign for retailer Bloomingdales featuring Tony Bennett starts Saturday (Nov. 1), according to the New York Times.

The campaign, coming at a time of economic turmoil, is meant to reassure shoppers that a little retail therapy is what they need to make themselves feel better. Elements of the promotion include: a version of Bennett's new album, "A Swingin' Christmas Featuring the Count Basie Big Band," with the bonus track "Jingle Bells", a performance by Bennett in the New York Bloomingdale's window on Nov. 20 and one of his paintings of Santa Clause on Bloomingdale bags.

"Shopping can take your mind off the uncertainty we have to live with every minute of the day," Jack Hruska, executive vice president for creative services at the Bloomingdale's division of of Macy?s Inc. "Even if you don't buy anything, you can always wander around and do something free at Bloomingdale's."

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