Who is the redhead in the Macy’s commercial?
(By Carmichael Phillip)
RELATED TOPICS
Macy’s | Who is the redhead in the Macy’s commercial?
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Macy’s | Who is the gift lady in the Macy’s commercial?
Summary
The redhead in the Macy’s commercial is Alison Brie, an award-nominated actress best known for her roles on Community, Mad Men, and GLOW. In the Macy’s ad, Brie’s recognizable voice, expressive delivery, and comedic timing immediately stand out, leading many viewers to search for her identity. Her appearance in the commercial reflects Macy’s strategy of using familiar Hollywood talent to create warmth, credibility, and broad audience appeal.
If you’ve been wondering who the red-haired woman recently starring in the Macy’s holiday commercial is, the answer is straightforward: it’s actress Alison Brie. Macy’s officially unveiled its Holiday 2024 campaign, “Macy’s Gift Guide,” starring Alison Brie.
In the campaign, Brie personifies the “Macy’s Gift Guide” — a stylised, cheerful character who helps viewers navigate the festive season’s gifting, hosting and dressing moments.
It’s worth noting: while you might recall Alison Brie with darker hair in past TV roles (such as her role in Community), for many of the recent commercials and campaigns she is seen with a lighter or reddish hair tone (which can create the “red-head” impression).
Quick Facts: Alison Brie
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Full Name: Alison Brie Schermerhorn
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Date of Birth: December 29, 1982
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Birthplace: Hollywood, California, USA
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Profession: Actress, Producer, Writer
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Known For: Community, Mad Men, GLOW, The Rental
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Hair Color: Naturally brunette (often appears red or blonde for roles and commercials)
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Spouse: Dave Franco (m. 2017)
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Years Active: 2004–present
Macy’s | Who is the actor in the Macy’s commercial with Alison Brie?
There are a few reasons the “redhead in the Macy’s commercial” question pops up:
Red hair (or reddish tones) are relatively uncommon and visually striking in commercials; this makes the figure memorable.
Perhaps viewers remembered a red-haired woman in a commercial (or conflated different ads), and asked “Who is she?” as a result.
The campaign wardrobe and styling for the Macy’s ad emphasise festive red, putting the model/actor in a red suit or attire — amplifying the “red hair plus red clothing” effect. For example, the Retail Dive article mentions Brie wearing a tailored red jacket in the campaign.
So, in short: the “redhead” you asked about is most likely Alison Brie in her styled look for Macy’s.
A quick profile of Alison Brie
Name: Alison Brie (born Alison Brie Schermerhorn)
Birthdate: December 29, 1982
Wikipedia
Known for roles in:
Community (as Annie Edison)
GLOW (as Ruth Wilder)
Numerous film and television roles
Notable recent fact: In 2024, she was selected by Macy’s to star in its Holiday campaign as “Macy’s Gift Guide.”
She described the holiday campaign as being special for her, saying she was “delighted to work with Macy’s” and capture the festive spirit through the campaign.
Macy’s, Inc.
The Macy’s Holiday 2024 campaign is meant to embody the joy of giving and the festive season’s energy. In the campaign:
Alison Brie plays a dynamic character (“Gift Guide”) who curates the gifting experience: selecting presents, guiding hosting moments and embodying the festive style.
The campaign was launched to amplify Macy’s holiday‐shopping messaging, including deals, last-minute gifting and emotional connection around the season.
The imagery places Brie in a stylised “gift world” environment, with design elements aligned to Macy’s brand (e.g., red stars, red attire, festive backdrop).
Macy’s, Inc.
For viewers who see a red-haired woman in a red outfit in a Macy’s ad and wonder who she is — yes, that’s this campaign featuring Alison Brie.
It’s not a generic model: Some ads use unnamed models or spokes-persons, but in this case Macy’s publicly named Alison Brie as the campaign star.
Hair colour may vary: While fans reference “the redhead,” Alison Brie’s natural hair is darker; her appearance in the campaign may have been styled (lighting, hair colour, wardrobe) to match the festive aesthetic.
Maybe you saw a different ad: If the advertisement you remember is older (e.g., before 2024), or features a different red-haired woman, you might be referencing a different commercial. However, based on recent major Macy’s campaigns, Alison Brie is the prominently featured face.
The focus is the campaign: The ad is not just about hair or colour — it’s about positioning Macy’s as the holiday gifting destination, and using a recognizable actress to drive that message.
There are strategic reasons for using an actress like Alison Brie:
Brand resonance: Macy’s is a heritage retail brand with broad reach; having a familiar face helps build trust and attention.
Cross‐media visibility: The campaign runs across TV, digital, social channels. A known actress brings social-media engagement and press coverage. For example, the campaign launched across TV, digital and social channels.
Retail Dive
Stylised persona: By casting her as “the Gift Guide,” Macy’s creates a personality that can feature in multiple spots and formats—narrative, product calls-out, hosting tips.
Holiday positioning: The campaign emphasises warmth, fun, and giving—a tone that aligns with Alison Brie’s onscreen persona in many roles.
FAQ: Alison Brie and the Macy’s Commercial
Who is the redhead in the Macy’s commercial?
The redhead featured in the Macy’s commercial is Alison Brie, a well-known television and film actress with a long career in comedy and drama.
Is that Alison Brie in the Macy’s ad?
Yes. Alison Brie appears in the Macy’s commercial, and many viewers recognize her from popular shows like Community and Mad Men.
Why does Alison Brie look different in the Macy’s commercial?
Alison Brie often changes her hair color for roles and campaigns. While she is naturally brunette, she appears with red hair in the Macy’s commercial as part of the brand’s styling and creative direction.
What TV shows is Alison Brie famous for?
Alison Brie is best known for playing Annie Edison on Community, Trudy Campbell on Mad Men, and Ruth Wilder on Netflix’s GLOW.
Does Macy’s use real celebrities in their commercials?
Yes. Macy’s frequently casts established celebrities, including TV and film stars like Alison Brie, to increase brand recognition and connect with a wide audience.
In Conclusion
So if you’ve seen a red-haired woman in a Macy’s commercial and asked yourself “Who is she?”, the answer is: Alison Brie, starring as Macy’s Gift Guide in the 2024 holiday campaign. Her red-toned hair and festive wardrobe make her stand out, and the campaign is more than just a typical retail ad—it’s a full branding push for Macy’s holiday shopping season.
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