Product of the Year Competition Open for Entries

NEW YORK Product of the Year USA is now accepting entries for its second annual awards program.
 
POY works in tandem with research firm TNS to survey 100,000 American shoppers who will ultimately pick winners in each category.
 
The competition accepts entries every year for consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care and household care. A product is then chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study.
 
The POY seal "is a valuable shortcut for shoppers in search of the best products on today's supermarket shelves," said Colleen Kelly, managing director of the competition, in a statement. "It not only saves consumers precious time and money at the store, but also helps companies and their products truly stand out for innovation and value."
 
In a recent monthly Omnibus Express survey, TNS found that the POY logo on a package is 25 percent more effective at generating purchase interest from shoppers than the word "New!"
 
"Our research has found that the current economic uncertainty has people looking for products with better value and some level of consumer feedback and endorsement," said Shannon Hazlett, senior manager, TNS. "Product of the
Year pinpoints those particular products that resonate with 100,000 like-minded shoppers from across the country."
 
The program was launched 22 years ago in France. Since then use of the logo has resulted in average sales increases of 10-15 percent for winning products. In the U.K., hair-care category winners Pantene and Herbal Essences attributed 120 percent and 135 percent year-over-year sales increases, respectively, to their POY victories.
 
This year's winners will be announced in January 2010.
 
All entries received by June 12, 2009 will receive a special registration discount. The final deadline to submit entries is July 31, 2009. To enter a product, and for more information, visit www.productoftheyearusa.com.