Parents have likely seen the adorable face of the Gerber Baby many times! Few know the history behind that drawing. Gerber stated that in 1928, the company held a contest to find a face to represent a baby food advertising campaign.
Artist Dorothy Hope Smith entered her simple charcoal sketch of a “tousle-haired, bright-eyed cherub of a baby with endearing pursed lips.” In her entry, Smith noted that she would finish the sketch if she won. Her drawing was chosen as the winner, and the judges insisted it remain as a sketch.
The illustration became so popular that Gerber adopted to as its official trademark in 1931. Since then, the Gerber Baby has appeared on all Gerber packaging and in every Gerber advertisement. The identity of the baby, however, was kept secret for 40 years, until 1978.
In June of 2022, ABC News reported that Ann Turner Cook, “whose cherubic baby face was known the world over as the original Gerber baby” had died. She was 95. Gerber announced her passing on Instagram. The company said, “Many years before becoming an extraordinary mother, teacher and writer, her smile and expressive curiosity captured hearts everywhere and will continue to live on as a symbol for all babies.”
Ann Turner Cook was 5 months old when neighbor Dorothy Hope Smith drew a charcoal sketch of her that was later submitted for a contest Gerber was holding for a national marketing campaign.
Recently, Gerber held a contest for a new Gerber Spokesbaby. The winner of the Gerber Photo Search 2022, the company’s second-ever Chief Growing Officer, and the news Gerber Spokesbaby is Baby Isa. Gerber said “her undeniable smile and bubbly personality captured our hearts. She inspires parents and she inspires us too!” The Gerber website has a photo of a smiling, happy, Baby Isa.
It should be noted that there were previous Gerber Spokesbabies, starting in 2011. Baby Isa is the newest one.
Isa’s mother, Meredith, provided Isa’s story to Gerber: “Before she was born in September of 2021, we knew Isa was special, and she has shown us that every day since she came into our lives. We found out when I was 18 weeks pregnant that Isa would be born without a femur or a fibula in her right leg. We hope Isa’s story can bring more awareness for limb differences and create greater inclusion for children like her. Because, just like Isa, they too can be or do anything they want!”
Unfortunately, The New York Times reported that people on Instagram posted mean comments about the outcome of the contest. According to The New York Times, the most insensitive comments were deleted. Two arguments took form: How was the contest decided so quickly and why don’t toddlers win?
One woman claimed that Gerber had worked with an agency for the contest. Gerber responded: “Gerber does not use an agency to select the Photo Search Winner. Our team of judges is composed of Gerber employees.”
While it is understandable that some parents, who entered their baby’s photo into the Gerber contest, are disappointed that their baby didn’t win. What isn’t acceptable is to try and create conspiracy theories about why Gerber didn’t select their baby.
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