Spider-Man back in Thanksgiving Day Parade

Press Release

Millions of New Yorkers will feel their Spider-senses tingling this November when New York’s own neighborhood Super Hero™, Marvel’s Spider-Man, makes a triumphant return to the skies over Manhattan to ensnare a new generation of fans in the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. After a decade, Thursday, November 26, 2009, marks the date when more than 3.5 millions spectators and over 50 million viewers nationwide will catch Spidey-fever as the ever popular Super Hero returns to the Macy’s Parade line-up.

Marvel’s legendary crime-fighting web-slinger made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1987, becoming an instant classic. Hailed by spectators, amateur photographers and millions of the Super Hero’s fans, the Spider-Man balloon became an icon of the Parade’s signature giant character balloon line-up. Flown in the holiday spectacle for twelve years, the balloon was retired following the 1998 procession. The new Spider-Man balloon debuting in this year’s Macy’s Parade combines the classic pose of the previous giant – his arms outstretched in front of him and his legs bent behind in full crawling mode – but this time it will feature Spidey’s classic web-slinging pose coupled with a more modern look. The Spider-Man balloon will be a part of the Macy’s Parade through 2011.

“Spider-Man’s return to the Macy’s Balloon line-up this year is an event of seismic magnitude,” says Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  “Marvel’s iconic character, which flew for over a decade in the ‘80s and ‘90s was one of the most memorable balloons in Macy’s long Parade history.” Hall continued, “When is Spider-man coming back? is a question that has been shouted from the sidelines each and every year we inflate our helium giants on Thanksgiving eve. This new, updated balloon, featuring a modern, more defined Spider-Man, will fill a huge void for Parade devotees and will undoubtedly seize the imaginations of a whole new generation of fans.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Spider-Man back to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a landmark event that millions anticipate each year. The enduring popularity of New York’s own friendly neighborhood Super Hero has only grown since the last time he appeared in the Parade and we are certain the new Spider-Man balloon will delight both long-time fans and new audiences alike,” said Simon Philips President, Worldwide Consumer Products for Marvel Entertainment.

“With anticipation for the upcoming release of Spider-Man 4 reaching a fever pitch, the timing couldn’t be better to bring back the Spider-Man balloon in this year’s Macy’s Parade,” said Juli Boylan for Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P – the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.

The 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off on Thursday, November 26, 2009 and is broadcast nationally on NBC-TV, from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., in all time zones.

About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event.  For more than 80 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season.  Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a 2.5-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer.  The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons.  For more information on the Macy’s Parade please visit www.macysparade.com or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics).  Marvel’s strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.  For more information visit www.marvel.com.

About Spider-Man Merchandising, LP,
Spider-Man Merchandising, LP, the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc., oversees the licensing and merchandising activities for Columbia Pictures’ Spider-Manâ„¢ feature films and animated series based on the Marvel character.