Kenneth Cole And Rock The Vote Announce Partnership To Encourage Voter Registration

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation and Rock the Vote announces the launch of an innovative retail program that encourages voter registration.  Kicking off on National Voter Registration Day (September 25th), the program aims to raise awareness about the importance of voting.

Customers will be encouraged to register to vote in store and on line at Kenneth Cole stores nationwide, as well as show their support of the cause by purchasing a limited-edition tote with the message "Rock the Vote (and the tote)." The program runs through Election Day.  Retailing for $20, 100% of the net profits from the sale of the tote will be donated to AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation, in support of Rock the Vote's efforts to increase voter registration nationwide.  

As Americans, our vote is a privilege often squandered," says Kenneth Cole designer and social activist. "What one wears is not as important as the need to be aware, and on Election Day, we all need to proudly wear our voices."

Jason Mraz, musician and social activist is being recognized as an AWEARNESS "Change Agent" for his support and continuous efforts to empower America's youth to register to vote. A Change Agent is a social activist who, by example, strives to help educate and encourage others to get involved. Jason Mraz is currently on tour with Rock the Vote encouraging voter registration and is known both for his music and his work as an activist through The Jason Mraz Foundation. Past Change Agents can be viewed on awearness.com.  

"This is an election year and I feel I have an enormous privilege to tour leading up to the election, every single vote counts," says Jason Mraz in his video Q&A. The complete interview can be viewed online at www.awearness.com.

"In spite of efforts by some politicians to keep them from voting this November, young people are sending the message "We Will" make our voices heard by registering to vote and encouraging their friends to register and vote. Young people made a difference in the last presidential election and they can do it again, thanks to the work that Kenneth Cole, Jason Mraz and others are doing to get the word out about the importance of voting," says Heather Smith, President, Rock The Vote.

The grey, unisex, washed canvas cross-body tote features a small removable pin with a QR code that directs to a voter registration online tool and is offered at all Kenneth Cole retail and outlet stores at kennethcole.com, and in the Rockthevote.com store.  A unique QR code will be featured in store windows, signs, and incorporated on a pin that comes with purchase of the tote. By capturing the QR code with their smart phone users can immediately register to vote and encourage others to do the same.  

About AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation
AWEARNESS promotes, encourages and inspires meaningful social change, and supports like-minded Change Agents and organizations to make a difference. We also sell products and host events in support of their important causes. As part of each partnership, an AWEARNESS "Change Agent" is selected, and their story of social activism is highlighted to inspire others to get involved. These interviews and products can be seen on the AWEARNESS website www.awearness.com.

About Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote's mission is to engage and build political power for young people in our country.  Founded twenty-one years ago at the intersection of popular culture and politics, Rock the Vote has registered more than five million young people to vote and has become a trusted source of information for young people about registering to vote and casting a ballot.  We use music, popular culture, new technologies and grassroots organizing to motivate and mobilize young people in our country to participate in every election, with the goal of seizing the power of the youth vote to create political and social change.

SOURCE AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation