Gerber just made history by crowning the first Gerber Baby winner with Down Syndrome
If you’re a fan of Gerber, you might want to know that the iconic brand just made history. Gerber crowned a boy with Down Syndrome as the winner of the 2018 Gerber Baby contest, and it’s the first time a baby with the syndrome has taken the crown. Eighteen-month-old Lucas Warren from Dalton, Georgia will go on to be featured in a slew of advertisements and promotions for the company throughout the year.
Lucas was chosen from over 140,000 contestants this year (all of whom are adorable, we’re sure). The best known Gerber Baby is arguably Ann Turner Cook, who was the model for the sketch of the brand’s logo back in 1928. But we’re thinking Lucas might give her a run for her money.
Lucas and his family will receive a prize of $50,000 and a ton of exposure through Gerber’s social media pages throughout the year.
"Lucas’ winning smile and joyful expression won our hearts this year, and we are all thrilled to name him our 2018 Spokesbaby," said Bill Partyka, President and CEO of Gerber in a statement, according to Time. "Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber’s longstanding heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby, and this year, Lucas is the perfect fit."
Is this kid cute or what?
The win isn’t just a victory for Lucas and his family — it’s a win for inclusivity everywhere, and we’re beyond heartened to see this iconic brand making an effort to represent everyone.
We hope more companies take note, and we can’t wait to see more of Lucas in 2018!