James F. McCann ’75

Jim McCann is a highly successful entrepreneur, public speaker and published author whose passion is helping people deliver smiles. McCann's belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, which he has grown into the world's leading florist and gift shop and Celebrations.com, the leading website for expert party planning content and advice. McCann's willingness to embrace new technologies that help people connect and express themselves, such as 800 phone numbers, the Internet, mobile commerce and social networking, often long before others, has enabled him to stay at the forefront of consumer and social trends. As a result, McCann has become an award winning public speaker, a published author and a frequent guest on radio and television programs nationwide. McCann's strategy for growth includes an effective combination of birthing new businesses and making acquisitions of businesses and brands that resonate with customers as great sources for exceptional gifts. McCann has expanded his company's gift offerings to become a leading player in the gourmet food and gift baskets business. McCann has also steered the company into the emerging areas of content and media by founding Celebrations.com, a leading, interactive social website for party planning, tips and information. McCann's focus on customer engagement has enabled the company to stake out an industry leading position in the fast evolving areas of social and mobile communications, earning numerous awards for its initiatives and enabling it to deepen its relationships with customers. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, McCann is a member of the Board of Directors of Willis Group Holdings Limited and a variety of private and not-for-profit boards.