• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, November 1, 2019

Macy’s is welcoming the holidays with a sweet new spot, injecting its long-running “Believe” campaign with a shot of #FearlessGirl.

The new ad, from BBDO New York, tracks Virginia’s career aspirations sparked by the star of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She wants to grow up and be Santa, complete with faux belly and a signature ho-ho-ho -- in spite of the derision she faces at school. (Spoiler alert: There’s a happy ending, even for the really mean boy.)

A spokesperson for the Cincinnati, Ohio-based retailer says a 30-second version breaks this week on national broadcast prime-time and cable networks, as well as social. There’s an extended two-minute version, as well.

The ad stars Brooklynn (“The Florida Project”) Prince as Virginia, with Garth Davis directing.

“Santa Girl” is also inspiring the store’s holiday windows on Broadway, called “Believe in the Wonder.”

The company also announced more details about the 93rd parade, which will include 8,000 volunteers dressed as clowns, and is expected to draw some 3.5 million spectators, with a TV viewership of 50 million.

This year’s version is set to showcase 16 giant character balloons, with newcomers Astronaut Snoopy, Green Eggs and Ham and SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary. Smokey Bear is also making a comeback, to celebrate his 75th anniversary. There are an additional 40 novelty balloons, heritage balloons, and the spin-offs, which include balloonheads.

Among the performers: Natasha Bedingfield, Black Eyed Peas, Chicago, Ciara, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele and former NASA Astronauts Kay Hire and Janet Kavandi.

Macy’s is also promising that the Muppets of "Sesame Street" will be in on the opening act, and that the Radio City Rockettes will perform.

And once again, it plans a 360-degree livestream on Verizon's YouTube page.