Product of the Year

Friday, January 20^th, 2012 is Jury Day. We wish all of our entrants good luck.

Look for the annoucement of who consumers have voted as the most innovative Products of the Year – coming to you soon.

Due to a website crash on our final day of accepting entries and a manual form that has a non-functioning fax line on it…we are still accepting entries. Please contact us if you are having trouble reaching us.

Fax 416-764-1721

sandie@productoftheyear.ca
adrienne.edgar@rci.rogers.com

Product of the Year is officially closed for entries for the 2012 program, and we are preparing for Jury Day. Good luck to all of our entries!

(Oh – if you’ve been on vacation and missed the deadline and really intended to get it done as soon as you returned and are now kicking yourself…let us know right away. Just maybe…)

Nothing is better than the gift of time, and that’s what we’re giving you. Time to reflect on the benefits of a win, and time to get your entry in. Watch for more information…

Need some ideas for what product categories can enter? Here are a few suggestions.

• healthy snacks (healthy snacks for kids or diabetics or seniors)
• ethnic foods
• locally sourced; Canadian made; all Canadian ingredients/materials
• low sodium/gluten free/ peanut free/ organic/ nut alternative/ dairy alternative/ meat alternative/ sugar alternative
• food to go/ meals in minutes/ lunch solutions
• do it yourself (beer/wine; home improvement; canning; hair colouring)
• socially/environmentally responsible
• lifestyle/wellness/fitness/ performance
• supplements; enhancements; replacements
• grooming products or tools; cleaning up products
• kitchen or home appliances; gizmos and gadgets
• gardening; outdoor; leisure
• household electronics; entertainment; games; educational
• make my life easier; organize me; inspire me; protect me; remind me products

Product of the Year champions innovation in whatever form it takes.

As the saying goes…You can’t win if you don’t play.

Consumers will be voting in December. Have you got what it takes to be a winner?

You do if….

1. You have a consumer product that launched in Canada after January 2010.
2. Your product reflects innovation in packaging. Or function. Or design. Even (re) positioning.
3. You’re willing to put your product in front of our Jury Panel in December.
4. You have $3,000.00 to participate in the Consumer vote and research survey – IF selected as a Finalist.
5. You’re ready to do something about it if Consumers vote your product the winner.
6. You have $10,000.00 to pay a one-time licence fee to use the logo in your communications – and to participate in our national PR campaign promoting the 2012 winners.
7. You can envision how to activate your win and tell trade and consumers about it.
8. You like the idea of seeing your product profiled across Rogers media channels and in a special page on www.chatelaine.com/productoftheyear.
9. You want to give your new product every chance to succeed and generate a lift in sales.
10. You have ten minutes to fill out an entry form.

Categories

Product of the Year has no pre-determined categories because innovators redefine their own category. In previous years, we’ve had entries from financial services, toys, green products, wellness products, fitness products – as well as food, household and beauty. If you are marketing a consumer product in a retail location or online – your product qualifies as an entry. And consumers will be basing their votes on your innovation.

Great news for Product of the Year winners for 2012! We’re excited about joining forces in a strengthened partnership with Rogers Media. Our campaign launched this week in Marketing Daily and Canadian Grocer digital to let marketers know there is still time to enter their innovative new products in the competition.

A more robust winner package is being offered by Rogers Media that includes profile of the winners through Chatelaine.com, Breakfast Television, Marketing Magazine and Canadian Grocer. As well, incentive priced media opportunities for our winners to further leverage their wins throughout 2012. As well, consumers can enter to win a gift package of Product of the Year winners products through chatelaine.com.

Our research survey will also be expanded to provide deeper insights in what motivates consumers to make purchase decision, as well as which products they feel are the most innovative in each category – and why. This research is delivered to finalists and winners for their category. Here’s a recap of the investment and value proposition. Click here for a downloadable version of the winners package.

ValueChart

Walking the trade show floor of the Grocery Innovations conference organized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers was an eye opening (and mouth watering) experience. There were so many innovative new products on display, and many of them potential Product of the Year entrants. Our consumer panel will have quite a challenge deciding on the best from among a bumper crop of innovations.

Trends evident at the show included ethnic, green and wellness inspired innovations, as well as new takes on classic brands. Practical solutions to everyday challenges. Packaging and functionality that make life just a little easier. That’s what innovation is all about.

Product of the Year Canada has extended its entry deadline to Thursday, November 30th. A strengthened media partnership with Rogers Media means winners will be introduced to consumers through a campaign that extends across a wider range of Rogers media channels. Look for more information to come soon.

Contact sandie@productoftheyear.ca for more details – and look for our campaigns running in Marketing Daily, Canadian Grocer and CART.