The Best New Product Awards (BNPAs) Pioneers Newad and Astral's New Out-of-Home-Enabled NFC Technology

TORONTO, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Canada's most credible and trusted consumer packaged goods (CPG) awards program, the Best New Product Awards (BNPAs), is an early adopter with Newad and Astral's out-of-home-enabled Near Field Communications (NFC) technology.

NFC is a very short-range radio transmission from a passive source (e.g. a transit shelter ad) that can interact with devices such as a smartphone simply by being near the device. The technology can allow for everything from mobile payments to enriched advertising experiences.

The BNPAs have partnered with Newad and Astral to bring NFC technology to College & University campuses and transit shelters in the GTA inviting consumers to "Tap or Scan to Win" a $500 prize pack. The prize? A gift bag full of 2012 Best New Product Award-winning products as voted by more than 53,000 Canadians and a $200 Rexall gift card.

"The Best New Product Awards reward CPG companies for introducing new and innovative products to Canadian consumers," says Robert Levy, Founder of the Best New Product Awards and President of BrandSpark International, "and we're always striving to inform Canadian consumers about BNPA winners in new and innovative ways like NFC technology."

In addition to this novel out-of-home campaign, winning products will be recognized with a major spread in the April issues of top Canadian magazines Canadian Living and Coup de Pouce as well as Metro Daily News, plus Rexall will be promoting the winners in-store. Shaw media has also just launched a national awareness campaign across their leading network programs including Global TV, Food Network, HGTV, Slice and History Television. Canadian consumers are taking notice of the Awards as the BNPA logo continues to be featured on packaging and in advertising. "Our research demonstrates that the Best New Product Award logo has the highest award logo awareness and influence among Canadian consumers," adds Levy.

About the Best New Product Awards

The Best New Product Awards is North America's leading independent consumer voted awards program. Run independently from advertisers by market research firm BrandSpark International the BNPA survey of more than 53,000 Canadian consumers uncovers the best new Food, Beauty|Grooming, Health and Household products. Fifty-three winners were declared and more than 45 companies participated. Visit www.BestNewProducts.ca to download your own personal shopping list of the Best of the Best.

About BrandSpark International

BrandSpark International is an independent market research and consulting firm with expertise in shopper segmentation, new product development, consumer trends and media. BrandSpark represents leading North American and global brands, and conducts research around the world. www.BrandSpark.com

SOURCE BrandSpark International