Serendipity Magazine Stages Casting Call at Fairfield Pinkberry

Serendipity Magazine Stages Casting Call at Fairfield Pinkberry:

Dozens of children line up for a shot at the limelight

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

8/3/11

Fairfield, CT – One and all they came -- boys, girls, triplets, teens – all looking for a shot at fame, or at least to be featured in the pages of a magazine.

Serendipity Magazine that is, a lifestyle publication circulated in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, geared to families with content that includes travel, food, style, health and fitness. This summer, the magazine decided to conduct several casting calls at ice cream and yogurt places in their focus areas. Pinkberry Fairfield, the only Pinkberry in the state, is a client, so it was a given that it would be a stop when staffers came to town Wednesday afternoon.

“This has been a 14-week effort,” said Dana Jevarjian, marketing events director for Serendipity. “Pinkberry and Serendipity go hand in hand in terms of target audience, life, fun and health. It’s a perfect marriage.”

The recruits the magazine sought were girls and boys ages 4 to 16. A photo of each was taken, personal information captured and the details catalogued as ongoing model resources for the publication’s style sections.

“We want to give back to the community and use real kids – our readers’ children,” said Jevarjian. “Our slogan is ‘Your Town, Your Style, Your Magazine.’ This is a perfect illustration of that idea.”

Filling out a form secured to a clipboard near Pinkberry’s front entrance at 1512 Post Road, Fairfield mom Shreya Patel, with her sons Jaden, 5, and Kalen, 4, clutching at her dress, said, “I thought it would be fun for my boys. They have never done anything like this before. I wasn’t familiar with Serendipity, so I’m looking forward to reading it as well.”

Fellow Fairfielder Linda Smith showed with her daughter Madison, 4, saying she’d learned about the event through SuzySaid.com. “Madison is a natural born ham,” Smith said. “She loves to be photographed. I thought it would be a great opportunity… and, who knows, it may be a launching point for a modeling career. Every time I take her to a show, I say, ‘Do you want to go see this?’ and she says, ‘No, I want to be in it.’”

Soon to be a fourth grader at Osborne Hill Elementary, nine-year-old Samantha Galluzzo was ready for her fifteen seconds of fame. “I think I might like to be a model,” she said. “It seems very glamorous.”

Mom Sarah remarked that this was new to Sam and that it was an easy way for her to get some exposure, versus going into the city.

Twenty-three-year-old Anggy Young, who could easily be mistaken for a potential recruit given her girlish look, had brought her six-year-old daughter Angela to the audition after seeing it advertised in the Pinkberry store.

“I’m here three to four times a week, saw the sign, told Angela and she said, ‘ok’”, said Anggy. “She hasn’t done any modeling but is very photogenic, and watches a lot of fashion shows.”

Chirped the youngster, “I love chocolate Pinkberry, with strawberries. It’s so yummy!”

Twelve-year-old candidate Avery Bebon was practically a modeling veteran compared with many of the other children. “I like modeling and acting and I thought this would give me a head start on what I want to do career-wise,” she said. “I tried out for a few acting roles in the past – I was on the Disney Channel for one small contest. It was really exciting. Who knows how this might go? This could be my big break.”

Stepping up to a long table that magazine staffers had set up curbside were four-and-a-half year-old towheaded triplets Dylan, Charlie and Shawn, from Rye, N.Y. Their proud mom had also heard about the event through SuzySaid.com and figured they had nothing to lose. “This is a good age to try this I think because they are more cooperative than they were when they were little, and they love getting their pictures taken,” she said.

While Serendipity captured great attention, the Pinkberry brand would not be repressed. A comparable line led through the front entry right up to the counter, where Pinkberry fans placed their orders and counter people – correct that, “Goodness Guides” – like Cassie Voley, 19, delivered the goods, passing off delicious concoctions with a “Enjoy your Pinkberry” salutation.