Macy's Parade: A $150 Million Gift With Hidden Costs - Episode Hero Image

Macy's Parade: A $150 Million Gift With Hidden Costs

Freakonomics Radio · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

Related Episodes

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

  • "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series by Jeff Kinney - A series of 20 books that have sold over 300 million copies, featuring the character Greg Heffley, who is described as a "mess" and not always doing the right thing.

People Mentioned

  • Will Coss (Executive Producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) - Oversees the entire production of the parade, from design and construction to logistics and delivery.
  • Jen Neil (NBCUniversal) - Oversees strategy, creative development, and operations for live events and specials, including the Macy's parade.
  • Kevin Lynch (Vice President of Global Helium for Messer) - Provides helium for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
  • Dawn Tolson (Executive Director of Citywide Event Coordination and Management and the Street Activity Permit Office, New York City) - Her office issues permits for various events in New York City, including the Macy's parade.
  • Jessica Tisch (Former New York's Sanitation Commissioner, now Commissioner of the New York Police Department) - Responsible for the cleanup of the parade route on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Tony Spring (Chairman and CEO of Macy's Inc.) - Discusses the relevance of the parade and the challenges facing Macy's in the retail landscape.
  • Roland Hussey Macy - Founder of Macy's in 1858.

Organizations & Institutions

  • Messer - One of the big players in the helium market that has been providing helium to the Macy's parade for decades.
  • NYPD (New York Police Department) - Provides security and other services for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
  • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) - Works with the NYPD on counterterrorism and counter-drone efforts during the parade.
  • NYPD Parks Department - Their mounted units march in the parade, requiring special sanitation services.
  • Art Students League - An art school in New York City where John Cheney studied.
  • Harry N. Abrams - Publisher of "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, known for treating books as valued objects with craftsmanship.
  • Pearson Education - Jeff Kinney worked as a game developer for them and published his early "Wimpy Kid" work on their Funbrain.com site.
  • Vivvix - A company that tracks commercial ad spending, which reported on the advertising revenue generated by the parade broadcast.

Websites & Online Resources

  • Funbrain.com (Pearson Education site) - Where Jeff Kinney first published his "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" work online.

Other Resources

  • "The Far Side" - A comic strip mentioned by Jeff Kinney as an influence.
  • "Bloom County" - A comic strip mentioned by Jeff Kinney as an influence.
  • "Calvin and Hobbes" - A comic strip mentioned by Jeff Kinney as an influence.
  • "Mom's Cancer" - A web comic mentioned by Jeff Kinney as inspiring his approach to publishing.
  • "The Truman Show" - A film that Jeff Kinney likens his experience of unexpected fame to.
  • "Harry Potter" - A book series mentioned by Jeff Kinney as a contrast to his "Wimpy Kid" character, Greg Heffley.
  • "The Wonder Years" - A TV show mentioned by Jeff Kinney as a comparison for the tone of his early "Wimpy Kid" work.
  • Lion King - A Broadway musical mentioned in comparison to the cost of producing the parade.
  • Hayden Planetarium - An institution mentioned in comparison to the cost of producing the parade.
  • MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) - Location of "Balloon Fest," the dry run for the parade balloons.

---
Handpicked links, AI-assisted summaries. Human judgment, machine efficiency.
This content is a personally curated review and synopsis derived from the original podcast episode.