Macy's and Aflac Expand Long-Standing Partnership Set to Add Value to Macy's Iconic Events and Holiday Festivities Nationwide

NEW YORK and COLUMBUS, Ga., Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season Macy's will be quacking the halls as the retailer expands its partnership with Aflac. Beginning in early November, Macy's and Aflac will expand the availability of the collectible plush Aflac Holiday Duck to more than 670 stores nationwide. The Aflac Duck will also debut as a new balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Aflac will help Macy's bring holiday happiness to children across the nation with the one and only Santa Claus.

"We are extremely pleased to expand our long-standing relationship with Aflac, which will undoubtedly bring excitement to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade lineup with a whimsical 35-foot-tall balloonicle, as well as to our stores nationwide with the Holiday Duck, Santa Claus visits, and event integrations," said Amy Kule, Macy's Group Vice President of National Events and Partnership Marketing and Executive Producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "The Aflac Duck has always been a favorite collectible plush in our stores and expanding his visibility will bring him to new fans this holiday season."

"This year we are pleased to partner with Macy's for several special events in cities across the country as well as have the Aflac Duck make its first appearance in the 85-year history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," said Michael Zuna, Chief Marketing Officer of Aflac. "We are equally proud that our annual plush Holiday Duck will be sold in more than 670 Macy's stores nationwide, with the proceeds going to support the treatment and research of childhood cancer at hospitals across the nation. That's up from just over 200 stores last year."

Aflac Duck Balloonicle Joins Macy's Parade

Making his first appearance in the 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Aflac Duck will have spectators quacking with delight as he rides down the route. The famed spokesduck will take on a new form for the festivities as a 35-foot-tall balloonicle (a Macy's hybrid vehicle and balloon). Riding on a sleigh and wearing a festive scarf, the Aflac Duck balloonicle will be a surefire hit and a welcomed addition to the legendary Parade lineup.

2011 Aflac Holiday Duck at Macy's

Debuting in stores in early November, Macy's will offer the unique 2011 Aflac Holiday Duck as a collectible plush gift. The Quack That Gives Back is dressed in a hat and scarf that conjures up frosty images of the holiday season. With proceeds set to benefit children's cancer organizations, the Aflac Duck will be available at 674 Macy's stores, an additional 463 versus 2010. The Aflac Holiday Duck will be available in a six-inch version retailing for $10 and a 10-inch version for $15, with all the proceeds distributed to the nearest of more than 50 participating pediatric cancer hospitals in the region where the duck is purchased. To date, Aflac has raised more than $67 million for childhood cancer and for the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta.

Holiday Happiness Provided by Aflac

In addition to the parade debut and expanded plush duck program, Aflac will partner with Macy's to bring holiday happiness to cities across the country at a variety of local events, including the 25-city Macy's Santa Bus Tour, the Macy's Holiday Window Unveiling in Philadelphia, and the massive tree lightings in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco.  

The 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC-TV, Thursday, November 24, 2011, from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones. For more information on the Macy's parade, please visit macys.com/parade or call the parade hotline at 212-494-4495.

About Macy's:
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments, including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks^® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers. For Macy's media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at macys.com/pressroom.

About Aflac Incorporated:

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped provide a safety net and given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one life insurance company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For five consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies and by Forbes magazine as one of America's Best-Managed Companies in the Insurance category. In 2011, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 13th consecutive year. Also, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 10th time in 2011. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com or aflacenespanol.com.

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SOURCE Aflac