Infantino & Step2's "Everybody Plays" Casting Call Supports Inclusiveness Of All Kids On Packaging And Advertisements

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Infantino and Step2, leaders in thoughtfully-designed and smartly styled products for babies and kids, will hold an open casting call from August 30^th to September 10^th for their "Everybody Plays" marketing campaign.

"Everybody Plays" celebrates the uniqueness of all babies and kids and inclusion of children with special needs. The event will launch the 2013 season for the companies' packaging, website imagery, tradeshow booths, advertising campaigns and social media.

Interested participants must live in Southern California and have a child/children between the ages of 0 and 5 who are not represented by an agency. A recent close-up and full-length photo along with the child's age and date of birth should be emailed to [email protected] in order to be considered.

The campaign will be photographed by Kelle Hampton, photographer and published author of the memoir "Bloom" and award-winning blog "Enjoying the Small Things," who is also mother to a child with special needs. Kelle will take pictures of the children selected playing with fresh new products developed by Infantino and Step2, at the "Everybody Plays" event on October 16^th and 17^th in San Diego County.

"Everybody Plays" was launched in 2011, the same year Colette Cosky, Sr. Brand Manager at Infantino, gave birth to her son Dexter who was born with Down syndrome. With his birth came the realization that more representation of all children, including those with special needs, in magazines, television ads, packaging and more, was needed. With Infantino's support, Cosky led the development of "Everybody Plays."

"None of our babies look, grow, talk or laugh alike and we think that's beautiful. By including all children in Infantino visuals, differences become diminished and a new norm is established," said Cosky. "In fact, we want to celebrate it and do our part to show the world the unique faces, smiles and styles of babies and kids everywhere – just because we can."

She added, "I am proud of my company and Step2 for believing in this initiative and loving my son and all kids unconditionally."

From the Step2 Company, Sr. Brand Manager Meghan Hale weighed in on the initiative:  "Kids of all shapes and sizes, abilities and backgrounds have fun with our toys, so let's show that!  We're thrilled to work with Kelle Hampton again because she captures the essence of our products—that is a vehicle for all kids to engage, imagine, play and just be kids—in her beautiful photography. 

Hale added "We can't wait to meet the families and kids who will participate in Everybody Plays 2012!" 

About Infantino

A major player in the juvenile industry, Infantino's products aim to create special moments for both babies and mom. Started over 25 years ago with a not-so-corporate culture and a creative, hands-on approach to infant product development, Infantino has built a name in trust and value. Designed with love in California and using the best materials and standards available, Infantino' s products give babies what they need and mom what she wants. Part of the Step2^® Company, Infantino is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. Visit www.infantino.com for more information.

About Step2

The Step2® Company includes the brands Step2® and Infantino® which foster learning and development through creative play in children from birth to school-age years. Based in Streetsboro, Ohio, Step2® is the largest American manufacturer of preschool and toddler toys, and the world's largest rotational molder of children's and home products, including children's play kitchens, playhouses, outdoor toys and ride on toys, as well as home products such as mailboxes, gardening aids and trash cans. Learn more at www.Step2.com.

About Kelle Hampton

Writer and photographer Kelle Hampton chronicles the simple joys of motherhood and daily life on her popular blog, Enjoying the Small Things. She has been recognized as a Babble Top 50 Mom Blogger, and her blog was named The Best Special Needs Blog by The Bump and The Blog You've Learned the Most From in the 2010 BlogLuxe Awards. An advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, Kelle has been honored by both the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), receiving the NDSC National Media Award in 2010. She has been interviewed on the Today Show, CNN as a Connector of the Day and on Rosie O'Donnell's radio program, Rosie Radio. Kelle lives in Naples, Florida, with her husband, Brett; their two daughters, Lainey and Nella; and her stepsons, Austyn and Brandyn.

SOURCE Infantino