Product of the Year 2009 open for entries

Product of the Year champions' innovation rewards successful manufacturers with consumer recognition of their product development achievements, and provide the consumer with a short-cut to finding the most innovative new products on supermarket shelves.

‘Voted for the people by the people' the products entered into the awards face a one-on-one interview panel of judges who come from all over South Africa. Consumers who see the distinctive red logo know that like-minded people, friends, family and colleagues have given it the thumbs up. Research in the UK has shown that winning the award and getting the opportunity to display the logo can increase sales and deliver a significant return on investment.

Product of the Year works through a simple five step process:
Stage 1: Submit your product
• Entry is free and entry is for the entire process. It is open to all FMCG products launched in South Africa over the past 18 months.
• Products should demonstrate innovation in one or more areas, including (but not limited to) design, function and packaging.

Stage 2: The jury selects the finalists
• The best products are selected and put through to the final stage by a jury panel.
• The jury is made up of experts from various fields including manufacturing, marketing and journalism.
• Finalists pay a research fee if selected.
• Products not selected are eliminated and no cost is incurred
• Win or lose, all participants get a copy of the national research, conducted by A.C. Nielsen.

Stage 3: The public chooses the winners
• The products selected by the jury are categorised.
• The national customer survey is carried out.
• Category winners pay for the licence to use the Product of the Year logo on all communications for one year.

Stage 4: Product of the Year Awards Night
• This is the big event where hundreds of guests gather to find out which products the public have voted the winners in each category.
• Winners will receive their awards in front of respected industry figures as well as journalists.

Stage 5: The winners carry out their promotions
• For 12 months, manufacturers of the winning products can use the Product of the Year logo on their packaging, promotions and advertising.
• Previous UK winning products have seen typical sales increases of 10-15%, with some products enjoying even greater success: Pantene Pro V Repair & Protect (2005 Hair Care category winner) - 120% year on year increase in sales (source: P&G, 2008).

“We are delighted with how quickly the South African awards are gaining momentum,” says Product of the Year MD Preetesh Sewraj. ”Consumers around the world are benefitting from real product innovation. Undoubtedly, Product of the Year will benefit the entire industry by enabling South African consumers to find real innovation and to allow manufacturers the focus their new launches deserve.”

Around the world, Product of the Year is utilised by such respected manufacturers such as P&G, Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, Coca-Cola and Nestle to list a few.

Brand managers with an innovative FMCG product launched in the last 18 months should go to www.productoftheyear.co.za where they can enter online, see winners' TV ads, find links to other POY websites and read more detail on the competition's methodology.

Entries close on 30 June 2008.