Last night, The Edison Ballroom hosted the Product of the Year awards, and innovation straight wafted through the air. Product of the Year is the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, beginning 28 years ago in France and now operating in 40 countries. POY’s purpose is simple: to guide consumers in their market and reward manufacturers for innovation and quality. Entered products are divided into specific categories such as personal care, household care, food, beverages, etc. and then voted for by over 40,000 consumers. Innovation does not mean it has to be ground-breaking. POY accepts entries from products that demonstrate novelty in design, packaging, function, or ingredients. This means the product could be brand new or a useful innovation to an existing product or brand.
Winning products receive the right to use the POY seal, that this year is sporting a new red color. “Nearly 50,000 new packaged goods products are introduced each year. The distinctive red Product of the Year logo placed on packages and in advertising helps these new innovative products standout to consumers, and our research shows that 44% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product recommended by 40,000 shoppers just like them,” says Rich Fryling, Managing Director of Product of the Year USA. Winners are permitted to use the seal in all marketing communications for two years in addition to receiving valuable street cred and a powerful marketing message proven to increase awareness, product trial, distribution, and sales. 30 winners were announced last night at the 2015 Product of the Year Awards Gala, with Emmy-award winning TV personality and New York Times best-selling author Jill Martin hosting the red carpet, with special guest NBC’s Jenna Bush Hager.
Interested in entering your product?
Step 1: Entry Entries for 2016 Awards open in May. Eligible products must be launched since January 2014 and demonstrate innovation. Remember, POY accepts entries from products that demonstrate novelty in design, packaging, function, or ingredients. This means the product could be brand new or a useful and distinctive innovation to an existing product or brand.
Step 2: Press Preview Once all products have been submitted, a panel of distinguished industry professionals review the submitted products to ensure all the innovation criteria is met before they go on to consumer research. If your product advances to the next step, there is a finalist fee of $7,000 which covers the costs of conducting the research.
Step 3: Consumers Vote 40,000 American shoppers chosen to represent the country’s population decide which products are the best in their category. POY partners with TNS, a leading global research firm to conduct the largest consumer study on innovation in the U.S. TNS administers the study and puts together a detailed research report highlighting your category and general information on shopping trends and innovation. Win or lose, every finalist receives this report in exchange for participation.
If your product is deemed Product of the Year in your respective category, you receive the rights to use the Product of the Year name, logo, and reference the TNS survey in all marketing communications for two years for a one-time winner fee of $63,000. This fee also covers inclusion in all POY-organized PR efforts valued at about $3 million in free media exposure.The following products took home the prize and for this year have an edge over competitors as an identified innovative and distinguished product in their category.
Convenience Meals: LiveGFree Gluten Free Pizza
Baby: Beech-Nut Naturals
Interior Paint: Benjamin Moore® Natura® Waterborne Interior Paint
DIY: Insl-x® Garage Guard® Waterborne Epoxy Garage Floor Coating
Pet Care: Milk-Bone® Brushing Chews™
Pet Nutrition: Milo’s Kitchen® Grilled Burger Bites
Specialty Skin Treatment: Carmex Cold Sore Treatment
Body Comfort & Relief: Gold Bond No Mess Powder Spray
Skin Care: Gold Bond Ultimate Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream
Sensitive Toothpaste: Sensodyne Complete
Enamel Care: Pronamel MultiAction
Soap: Dial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
Men’s Grooming: Dial For Men Power Scrub
Personal Hygiene: Dial Greek Yogurt Body Wash
Laundry Booster: Purex Crystals Aromatherapy
Hair Styling: Smooth N Shine Argan Power 10 Styling Gel
Kids Novelty: Snackeez
Tooth Whitening: LISTERINE® Healthy White™ Gentle Rinse
Overnight Protection: GoodNites Tru-Fit Underwear
Paper Products: Viva® Vantage* Paper Towels
Candy: Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups
Specialty Paint: Plutonium™ Ultra Supreme Professional Grade Aerosol Paint
Bladder Protection: Always Discreet
Feminine Care: Always Infinity
Sensitivity Pain Relief: Crest Sensi-Stop Strips
Laundry Detergent: Tide Ultra Stain Release
Home Design: Stencil1 Repeat Pattern Wallpaper Stencil Kit
Snacks: Werther’s Original® Caramel Popcorn
Anti-Aging: Hada Lab Tokyo™ Ultimate Anti-Aging Mask
Female Grooming: Yes! By Finishing Touch™