National Eating Disorders Association Says ‘Bah, Humbug’ to Barneys & The Walt Disney Company

NEDA Speaks Out Against Offensive & Hurtful ‘Electric Holiday’ Seasonal Ad Campaign

NEW YORK CITY (I-Newswire) September 4, 2012 - “Bah, humbug,” says the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to both the luxury New York City department store Barneys and The Walt Disney Company.

The high-end fashion retailer recently announced that it has teamed up with the Hollywood studio this year to collaborate on its annual, much-anticipated holiday ad campaign, titled “Electric Holiday” for 2012, based on the popular resort’s Main Street Electrical Parade and incorporating iconic Disney characters.

The campaign won’t be officially unveiled until Nov. 14, but a sneak peak recently appeared in the fashion magazine Women’s Wear Daily. To include TV and print advertising, elaborate window displays and other in-store sales merchandise, the campaign gives a dramatic makeover to such beloved children’s characters as Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck and Goofy, among others. Each has been given an invasive makeover, with a disturbingly thin look, and been draped in couture by exclusive designers.

Lynn Grefe, president and CEO of NEDA, commented, “The continual onslaught of social messages and marketing aimed at our kids, that skinny is the only way to look beautiful, is extremely damaging. The message that children’s favorite cartoon characters would require drastically slimming makeovers to model or be attractive is not a healthy one for kids. It seems a bit absurd that designers cannot even dress cartoon characters who aren’t rail thin.”

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), headquartered in New York City, is the leading U.S. non-profit organization supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. Each year, NEDA helps millions of people across the country find information and appropriate treatment resources through its toll-free, live helpline, its many outreach programs and website. NEDA advocates for advancements in the field and envisions a world without eating disorders. For more information, visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org

For Treatment Referrals, Visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
Or Contact NEDA’s Live Helpline: 800-931-2237
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (EST)

Contacts:
Greenleaf & Associates — 323-660-5800
Vicki Greenleaf — vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
Kelly Williams — kelly@greenleafandassociates.com