Australia’s Product of the Year, the consumer survey that awards consumers’ preferred products, has joined the global franchise of the same name, seeing Australia move in line with 28 other countries where the title is handed out.
Product of the Year was introduced two years ago into Australia by infomercial advertiser Whatsnew?, but in its third year it has now been incorporated into the global Product of the Year program, originally founded by CEO Mike Nolan.
The previous two years have seen Roy Morgan complete the survey for Whatsnew? but with this global alignment survey duties have now been passed onto TNS.
The Product of the Year competition sees consumers vote for which products they like best. The winners can then use the Product of the Year logo on their packaging, which in turn can deliver increased sales.
Sarah Connelly, product of the year manager for Australia, said: “Australia has long been a test market for the world, so we are very lucky here in terms of product innovation. Though as shoppers become more and more pressed for time, any shorthand recommendation – such as the Product of the Year logo – will become a valuable asset for any brand.”
5,000 consumers will be asked for their opinion when TNS conducts the nation-wide survey later this year. Winners will then be announced at an awards presentation in February next year, in categories including laundry, household cleaning, body care, hair care and beverages. The period for new products to qualify for these awards is 1 July 2008 to 31 August 2009.
