Who is the actor in the new JCPenney commercial?

The "Penny James" character debuted this past spring, and her return finds Villaseñor in fine form, espousing a shop-til-you-drop mentality with cheeky grins and gestures that let us in on the joke.

"She is the optimistic embodiment of our JCPenney customer—the all-in, enthusiastic shopper who loves the thrill of the holidays," Carl Byrd, JCP VP, creative and brand synergy, tells Muse. "We were blown away by how Melissa made singing a single word like 'sweaters' really funny, and by the physical comedy she brought to each scene. She was trying new lines on the fly. 'Look who's cookin' now' was all her."

Tagged "We Got Your Holiday," the fresh work boasts gleefully energetic direction from Dewey Nicks, and Villaseñor sells the message with style. These spots play almost like SNL parodies of JCP ads, minus the snark—a sweet stocking stuffer.

A second set of commercials breaking next week, also helmed by Nicks, takes a different musical approach, with diverse real families raising their voices in "Joy, Comfort and Peace," a familiar refrain from past JCP yuletide campaigns.

"Rather than taking a traditional approach of featuring actors, we wanted to bring real families of all backgrounds together," says Byrd. "We started with a casting call and ultimately handpicked these six families to represent the faces and voices we see in our stores every day. This is JCPenney's holiday card to America!"

Naturally, the chain, beset by flagging fortunes in recent years—and mixed results of late—hopes folks respond by showing up in stores and buying gifts online. It's early days yet, but the overall seasonal retail forecast isn't so merry, with Deloitte predicting sales increasing about 5 percent, compared to 15 percent growth last year.

CREDITS

CLIENT: JCPENNEY    
John Aylward, SVP Chief Marketing Officer    
Bill Cunningham, VP, Marketing Strategy
Kendra Horne, Sr. Director Product Marketing/Integration
Jenn Stern, Director Product Marketing
Stephanie Locke, Director, Marketing Communication
Brenda Ortiz Tobar, Sr. Specialist 
Carl Byrd, VP Creative & Brand Synergy
Sheazanne Ferlita, Creative Director
Michelle Freeman, Sr. Copy Manager
Brooke Diaz, Sr. Copy Manager
Betsy Jones Burgmeier, Sr. Art Manager 
Ariel Saura-Bretschger, Sr. Art Director 
John Mathias, Art Director
Maria Martinez, HM Copywriter
Tara Geraghty, Sr. Director Creative Services & Operations
Jamie Sancen, Director Photography Execution
Bertha Salazar, Manager Sr. Stylist
Amanda Williams, Asst. Styling Director
Dana Boone, Sr Director Publicity
Elizabeth Weber, Project Manager
Kathleen Torres, Executive Producer

PRODUCTION: CoMPANY films
Dewey Nicks, Director
Richard Goldstein, Executive Producer
Ron Cicero, Executive Producer
Christien Tuttle, Head of Production
Richard Martin, Producer    
Jacob Esquivel, Production Manager
Noel Henry, Production Coordinator    

POST: CAMP LUCKY    
Logan Hefflefinger, Editor
Seth Olson - Animation/VFX Artist
Jake Odgers - Assistant Editor/Junior Animation Artist
Jessica Berry, Executive Producer

MUSIC: FRESH SQUEEZED
Brian Flores – Executive Creative Director/Founder
Kyle Flores – Executive Producer

Who is the actor in the new JCPenney commercial?

JCPenney has enlisted comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Melissa Villaseñor to star in its newest ad campaign, which marks the retailer’s 120th anniversary.

The commercial introduces spokescharacter Penny James (played by Villaseñor), who is a JCPenney superfan. She says that JCPenney is her shopping place, where she finds outfits to look fabulous, from jeans and blazers to killer dresses, where she finds towels and all kinds of other products, including red glasses that she gets without prescription.

“It’s JCPenney, baby! Shopping is back!” she says at the end of the commercial.

In another ad, she stands in front of a JCPenney store and sings “Happy Birthday” to the department store.

As part of the campaign, JCPenney is also launching a cross-country tour called “Shopping is Back!”, that will celebrate the retailer’s milestone as it travels across the U.S. During each stop, the department store chain will host a block party-style celebration, hiring local food vendors and organizing games, music and giveaways. There will also be partnerships with local NGOs within each community to support various initiatives.

In addition, JCPenney is offering consumers an anniversary discount of 30% storewide and, for reward members, an additional $10 in bonus rewards for every $50 spent through April 12.

Tags: JCPenney 120 Years, JCPenney Melissa Villaseñor

Who is Penny James JCPenney?

To bring to the campaign to life, JCPenney is thrilled to introduce a recurring character named Penny James. Melissa Villaseñor, TV and film comedian and current cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” transforms into Ms. James, the ultimate All-In Shopping Enthusiast who finds happiness in every corner of JCPenney.

Is JCPenney making shopping come back?

JCPenney is leading the charge to welcome people into stores across America, where consumers can reconnect with all the reasons they love the shopping experience. At JCPenney locations and online, customers will explore and discover products for every moment big and small and know for certain that “Shopping is Back!”

Who is Amazon's new spokeswoman Penny James?

Originally called The Golden Rule, the store sought to “treat others as we would like to be treated.” As its 120th anniversary approaches—a milestone Amazon won’t hit until the year 2114—the retailer is introducing a new spokescharacter named Penny James, played by SNL star Melissa Villaseñor.

Does Penny James sing Happy Birthday to JCPenney?

In the first spot, which is out April 4, James sings “Happy Birthday” to the department store. “The character of Penny James is a playful tribute to our customers and what they love about JCPenney,” said Carl Byrd, vp of creative and brand synergy, in a statement.

Who is in the new JC JCPenney Commercial 2022?

SNL alum Melissa Villaseñor and her sparkly backup singers shimmy and sway through the aisles, sampling merchandise and hyping holiday deals as JCPenney kicks off the festive season.

Who is in the new JCPenney commercial?

— JCPenney is celebrating "joy, comfort and peace" this holiday season with a new commercial featuring diverse families across the world. The Pocta Family, of Virginia Beach, was selected to be a part of the joyous occasion.

Who is the girl in the JCPenney ads?

Melissa Villaseñor, TV and film comedian and current cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” transforms into Penny, the ultimate All-In Shopping Enthusiast who finds happiness in every corner of JCPenney. With her iconic red lipstick and distinctive red frames, she represents the spirited JCPenney loyalist.