Product Of The Year USA Announces 2014 Call For Entry In The Nation's Largest Consumer Packaged Goods Competition

Sixth Annual Consumer-Voted Awards Program Seeks New and Innovative Products

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Apr 23, 2013, 10:00 ET

NEW YORK, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth consecutive year in the United States, Product of the Year USA, the largest consumer product award for innovation, is partnering with research agency TNS to recognize the most innovative products of 2014. Winning products will be chosen by 50,000 real consumers in a nationwide survey designed to help shoppers save time and money. As a testament to the award's increasing popularity and awareness, 2013's winners were revealed in an exclusive feature on the cover of Parade Magazine to over 59 million readers. Consumer packaged goods companies throughout the nation are invited to join the ranks of SC Johnson, ConAgra Foods, Inc., Johnson & Johnson McNeil PPC Inc., General Mills Pinnacle Foods, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, GlaxoSmithKlein Consumer Healthcare, Nestle USA, Mars Chocolate North America, Reckitt Benckiser Group and many more in the nation's largest consumer survey on product innovation.

The iconic red Product of the Year logo easily differentiates winning products from the pack in a variety of consumer product categories. A study by TNS found that carrying the Product of the Year stamp of approval increases a product's credibility and consumer trial. Additional research shows that the seal on packaging is 25 percent more effective at generating purchase intent than the word "new" and 36 percent of consumers are more likely to trust an advertisement featuring a Product of the Year seal. As part of Product of the Year's ongoing commitment to its winners, companies will now enjoy all rights to this coveted seal for two full years.

Product of the Year's 2013 seal is already being seen on packages and in marketing campaigns of many of this year's 26 winners, which include the SodaStream Revolution Home Soda Maker, Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars, GoodNites® Disposable Bed Mats, Resolve All-Stains Stain Removal, Dial Triple Moisture Body Wash, SK Energy Shots, All Mighty Pacs, Finish Quantum, Quilted Northern Ultra Plush®, MidNite for Menopause Natural Sleep Aid and others. The stamp of approval has demonstrated its capacity to increase a product's credibility and heighten consumer exposure, resulting in elevated sales.

"We could not be more thrilled with the performance of the Product of the Year seal over the last six years," said Colleen Kelly, Managing Director of Product of the Year USA. "The award recognizes the newest, most innovative products and allows shoppers to cut through the clutter of an oversaturated consumer packaged goods marketplace. Winning companies have returned year after year with new products that continue to make significant advancements and ultimately simplify the lives of consumers."

Hosted in 32 countries worldwide for more than two decades, Product of the Year is the world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in consumer packaged goods. U.S. shoppers will be called upon to vote and select a new generation of winners who will earn the POY endorsement in their product category to be announced in early 2014. Eligible products must be launched since January of 2012 and demonstrate innovation. The final deadline to enter products is July 31, 2013. To enter a product and for more information, please visit www.productoftheyearusa.com or call 212-213-0600.

About Product of the Year:
Product of the Year is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by real consumers. Established 26 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 32 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Backed by the votes of 50,000 consumers, the distinct red POY logo serves as shortcut for shoppers in the supermarket, saving them time and money. For manufacturers of the winning products, the award is a powerful marketing message proven to increase retail distribution and sales by an average of 10-15%. Product of the Year accepts entries every year from 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, household care, etc. with a product then being chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study. For more information visit www.productoftheyearusa.com.

About TNS:
TNS is the world's largest custom research agency, delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand & communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 70 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tnsglobal.com for more information.

SOURCE Product of the Year USA