Another year of innovation excellence - Supermarket.co.za
Another year of innovation excellence - Supermarket.co.za
Another year of innovation excellence - Supermarket.co.za
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PRODUCT OF THE YEAR<br />
By Mi c h e l Ma c k<br />
The 48 winners <strong>of</strong> the 2013<br />
Product <strong>of</strong> the Year awards were<br />
celebrated at the prestigious<br />
gala event at the Maslow Hotel<br />
in Sandton, Johannesburg on 7<br />
February.<br />
Glitz and glamour<br />
Representatives <strong>of</strong> over 70 <strong>co</strong>mpanies,<br />
media and local celebrities were guided<br />
through the awards ceremony by<br />
<strong>co</strong>median, John Vlismas. 5FM presenter,<br />
Mabale Moloi joined him as <strong>co</strong>-host.<br />
This <strong>year</strong>’s programme has been<br />
streamlined to remain on schedule and<br />
Vlismas and Moloi cut straight to the<br />
chase without stand-up <strong>co</strong>medy or guest<br />
speaker. Instead, attendees were brought<br />
into celebratory mood by original Jamaican<br />
beats. After the awards ceremony, guests<br />
enjoyed drinks and snacks. They also had<br />
the opportunity to rub shoulders with<br />
famous local musician, Toya Delazy who<br />
provided the evening’s entertainment.<br />
Public endorsement<br />
The winners in the 48 categories walked away with the South African public’s endorsement <strong>of</strong> their products.<br />
Product <strong>of</strong> the Year has been rewarding<br />
<strong>innovation</strong> <strong>excellence</strong> for the past 25 <strong>year</strong>s<br />
<strong>Another</strong> <strong>year</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>innovation</strong><br />
<strong>excellence</strong><br />
2013<br />
The Product <strong>of</strong> the Year<br />
2013 awards aim to<br />
reward products that<br />
have been designed with<br />
the <strong>co</strong>nsumer in mind<br />
and came to South Africa in 2008. Over<br />
200 products made the finalist roll this<br />
<strong>year</strong> and winners were determined through<br />
a Nielsen survey <strong>of</strong> 5 000 South African<br />
households across all facets <strong>of</strong> life. The<br />
research is done in face-to-face interviews<br />
and <strong>of</strong>ficially <strong>co</strong>nstitutes the largest<br />
<strong>co</strong>nsumer research project on the African<br />
<strong>co</strong>ntinent.<br />
“South African <strong>co</strong>nsumers are be<strong>co</strong>ming<br />
more discerning and will no longer fall for<br />
the hype <strong>of</strong> advertising claims <strong>of</strong> products<br />
being ‘new’ or ‘the best’. Consumers will<br />
research products, try them out and voice<br />
their opinions if they are not happy. The<br />
brands are well aware <strong>of</strong> this and are<br />
therefore be<strong>co</strong>ming more inventive and<br />
strategic in order to attract and maintain<br />
customers in the crowded <strong>co</strong>nsumer goods<br />
market,” says Product <strong>of</strong> the Year MD,<br />
Preetesh Sewraj.<br />
Staying relevant<br />
The categories are amended each <strong>year</strong><br />
to best reflect product entries and shifts<br />
in <strong>co</strong>nsumer preferences. Last <strong>year</strong>’s 44<br />
categories have been extended to 48. The<br />
cell phone category, which was split up into<br />
four different categories in 2012, has now<br />
been amalgamated into a single ‘<strong>co</strong>nsumer<br />
electronics’ category. The Samsung Galaxy<br />
SIII Smartphone s<strong>co</strong>oped this award.<br />
Amongst others, lens care, petroleum<br />
jelly, premium and budget paint and<br />
<strong>co</strong>ntraception have been first time<br />
additions to the 2013 category list. The<br />
<strong>co</strong>ntraception category’s award went to<br />
19<br />
SUPERMARKET & RETAILER, MARCH 2013<br />
▲
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR<br />
Contempo Rough Rider and all eyes were<br />
on stage to see who would be bravely<br />
<strong>co</strong>ming up to fetch this award.<br />
Winning <strong>co</strong>mments<br />
From left to right: Unilever’s Unathi Mgobozi, Shaadia Vawda, Sphelele Mjadu, Jacqueline Pillay, Kerry Cuppusamy,<br />
Anisa Govender, Caroline Clayton and Ana-Maria Panait proudly present the <strong>co</strong>mpany’s 12 awards.<br />
▲<br />
Unilever swept the stage for the fifth<br />
<strong>co</strong>nsecutive <strong>year</strong> by receiving 12 <strong>of</strong> the<br />
prestigious awards. The winnings were<br />
taken by 12 <strong>of</strong> its homecare, personal care<br />
and foods products.<br />
“Unilever is very proud to once again<br />
have won in so many categories. It is great<br />
that <strong>co</strong>nsumers appreciate the success<br />
<strong>of</strong> our product marketing and <strong>innovation</strong>,<br />
while we strive to be the best in a highly<br />
<strong>co</strong>mpetitive market. We strive to exceed<br />
customer expectations whilst reducing our<br />
environmental impacts across the lifecycle<br />
<strong>of</strong> our products,” says Marijn van Tiggelen,<br />
chairman <strong>of</strong> Unilever South Africa.<br />
Clover s<strong>co</strong>oped two awards on the<br />
night. Firstly, for its new UHT Prisma Pack<br />
long-life packaging. “At Clover, we <strong>co</strong>nsider<br />
our products from our customers’ point <strong>of</strong><br />
view. This is why we decided to address the<br />
spillage that sometimes occurred with the<br />
previous long-life milk packs,” says Sherian<br />
King, senior brand manager at Clover.<br />
The se<strong>co</strong>nd award was for Clover’s 800g<br />
Cheddar and Gouda cheese packs. “What<br />
makes these awards so significant is that<br />
they’re judged by <strong>co</strong>nsumers who buy and<br />
use our products,” she <strong>co</strong>ntinues.<br />
20<br />
SUPERMARKET & RETAILER, MARCH 2013<br />
Roy<strong>co</strong>’s Instant Soup Range emerged as<br />
the overall winner <strong>of</strong> the soup category.<br />
“The success <strong>of</strong> our new Roy<strong>co</strong> Instant<br />
Soups lies in <strong>co</strong>nsistently delivering<br />
on great taste and quality without<br />
<strong>co</strong>mpromise. All our instant soups have no<br />
added MSG or artificial <strong>co</strong>lourants and with<br />
our fantastic new product <strong>innovation</strong>s such<br />
as our Kids range, we are listening to the<br />
needs <strong>of</strong> our <strong>co</strong>nsumers,” says Jann Lurie,<br />
brand manager for Mars Africa.<br />
The ac<strong>co</strong>lade in the beverage category<br />
went to Coca-Cola SA for its PowerPlay<br />
Fruit Kick energy drink. PowerPlay senior<br />
brand manager, Kgomotso Tabane<br />
<strong>co</strong>mmented: “We signed up for voluntary<br />
tests because we sincerely believe that our<br />
product is not only innovative but relevant.<br />
It is enjoyed by a significant amount <strong>of</strong><br />
South African <strong>co</strong>nsumers.”<br />
Amka’s Satiskin Blissful Berry Foam<br />
Bath won in the bath foam category.<br />
“The <strong>co</strong>nsumer response to the new berry<br />
fantasy variant has been overwhelming.<br />
We’ve had wonderful feedback from our<br />
<strong>co</strong>nsumers and to be honoured with this<br />
prestigious ac<strong>co</strong>lade is just further pro<strong>of</strong><br />
that we’ve developed a winning product.<br />
We’re all very proud!” says Karen Kohler,<br />
brand manager for Satiskin.<br />
Bridging the gap<br />
Sewraj emphasises that Product <strong>of</strong> the Year<br />
will <strong>co</strong>ntinue bridging the <strong>co</strong>mmunication<br />
gap between manufacturers and <strong>co</strong>nsumers<br />
through researching new products. Testing<br />
them with <strong>co</strong>nsumers and providing<br />
<strong>co</strong>nstructive feedback to <strong>co</strong>mpanies<br />
ensures that customers get value for their<br />
money.<br />
The winning <strong>co</strong>mpanies, whose<br />
<strong>innovation</strong> proved that they let their<br />
customers’ opinion and needs shape their<br />
development, may use the Product <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Year logo for all <strong>of</strong> 2013. Using it on the<br />
product itself, as well as across various<br />
media channels reassures prospective<br />
customers that the South African public has<br />
endorsed the product. Companies can enter<br />
their products free <strong>of</strong> charge and pay a<br />
prescribed fee for the use <strong>of</strong> the logo.<br />
Everybody wins<br />
Retailers can benefit directly from the<br />
awards by <strong>co</strong>nverting increased product<br />
reputation and publicity into sales. A<br />
special promotional display with all<br />
awarded products or special Product <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Year shelf labels will attract the attention<br />
<strong>of</strong> your customers. It also instils <strong>co</strong>nfidence<br />
to try unfamiliar products or items they<br />
don’t usually purchase.<br />
An initial price cut promotion will serve<br />
as a motivator and has the potential to<br />
generate repeat purchases for <strong>year</strong>s to<br />
<strong>co</strong>me. Don’t miss this opportunity to<br />
capitalise on local <strong>innovation</strong> <strong>excellence</strong>,<br />
as well as supporting and showcasing the<br />
endorsement <strong>of</strong> the South African public.
Product <strong>of</strong> the Year MD, Preetesh Sewraj<br />
emphasises that <strong>co</strong>nsumers have be<strong>co</strong>me<br />
much more discerning and informed.<br />
Trevor Omerod, GM advertising revenue &<br />
strategic <strong>co</strong>mmunications at Times Media<br />
Group presented Jeanne du Plessis, external<br />
relations manager at Procter & Gamble with<br />
the prestigious ac<strong>co</strong>lade.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> Clover’s brand managers, Tarin<br />
Anthony was presented with the award.<br />
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2013 WINNERS<br />
Category Product Company<br />
Carbonated Beverages PowerPlay Fruit Kick Energy Drink Coca-Cola SA<br />
Dairy Beverages Clover Danao Smooth Clover<br />
Condiments Nola Creamy Salad Dressing Food<strong>co</strong>rp<br />
Ready to Eat Nola Chicken Mayo Food<strong>co</strong>rp<br />
Quick Meals Maggi 2-Minute Noodles Flavours <strong>of</strong> M<strong>za</strong>nsi Nestlé<br />
Female Skincare Pond’s Flawless Radiance Unilever<br />
Male Skincare Vaseline Men Eventone Expert Unilever<br />
Face Care Range<br />
Female Deodorant Dove Invisible Dry Unilever<br />
Lotion Vaseline Total Moisture Range Unilever<br />
Petroleum Jelly Vaseline Men Petroleum Jelly Unilever<br />
Facial Wipes TLC Deep Cleanse Facial Wipes TLC Cosmetics<br />
Baby Wipes Pampers Sensitive Wipes Procter & Gamble<br />
Hygiene Soap GynaGuard Ultimate Wash Ad<strong>co</strong>ck Ingram<br />
Baby Food Nestlé Jogolino Nestlé<br />
Power Cleaners Handy Andy Power Cream Spray Unilever<br />
Bleach Jik Multi Action Reckitt Benckiser<br />
Consumer Technology Samsung Galaxy SIII Smartphone Samsung<br />
Premium Paint Plas<strong>co</strong>n Nuro<strong>of</strong> Cool Kansai Plas<strong>co</strong>n<br />
Budget Paint Safari Enamel Medal Paints<br />
Soup Roy<strong>co</strong> Instant Soup Mars Africa<br />
Toothpaste Colgate Total 12 Pro-Gum Health Colgate-Palmolive<br />
Lollipop Pin Pop Mega Aldor<br />
Lens Care OptiFog Essilor<br />
Diapers Pampers Premium Care Procter & Gamble<br />
Sanitary Pads Always Platinum Procter & Gamble<br />
Panty Liners Lil-Lets Ultra Long Pantyliners Lil-Lets Group<br />
Contraception Contempo Rough Rider Contempo<br />
Female Grooming Nair Brazillian Spa Clay Cream Church & Dwight<br />
Toothbrushes Colgate Optic White Toothbrush Colgate-Palmolive<br />
Fabric Conditioner Comfort Concentrated Fabric Conditioner Unilever<br />
Hair Colour Excellence Mousse Cho<strong>co</strong>late Brown L’Oréal Paris<br />
Hair Colour<br />
Hair Wash Elvive Volume Collagen Shampoo L’Oréal Paris<br />
and Conditioner<br />
Hair Treatment Schwarzkopf Gliss Repair + Gloss Treatment Schwarzkopf<br />
Automatic Laundry OMO Auto Washing Powder Unilever<br />
Milk Clover Long Life Milk Clover<br />
Dairy Food Clover Cheese Clover<br />
Surface Care Mr. Min Express Mist Reckitt Benckiser<br />
Male Deodorant Shield Men Xtra Cool Unilever<br />
Flavourants Robertsons Herbs & Spices Bottles Unilever<br />
Handwash Laundry OMO Handwash Unilever<br />
Laundry Bars Sunlight Germiguard Unilever<br />
Tissue Twinsaver Essentials Nampak<br />
Oil HO Sunflower Oil Vergezocht<br />
Al<strong>co</strong>holic Beverages KWV 3 & Cola KWV SA<br />
Frozen Seafood I&J Light & Crispy African Spice Irvin & Johnson<br />
Bath Foam Satiskin Blissful Berry Fantasy Foam Bath Amka Products<br />
Baby Beverages HiPP Organic Growing Up Milk HiPP Organic<br />
Mouthwash Colgate Complete Care Mouthwash Colgate-Palmolive<br />
▲
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR<br />
▲<br />
From left to right: Harshvardhan Sarda, executive director for <strong>co</strong>nsumer research at Nielsen; Trevor Omerod, GM advertising revenue & strategic<br />
<strong>co</strong>mms at the Times Media Group; Selvan Naidoo, marketing exec at Voda<strong>co</strong>m; Preetesh Sewraj, MD <strong>of</strong> Product <strong>of</strong> the Year SA; Ran Neu Ner and Gil<br />
Oved, joint CEOs <strong>of</strong> The Creative Counsel Group and Zunaid Dinath, managing executive <strong>of</strong> sales at Voda<strong>co</strong>m represented the key sponsors<br />
<strong>of</strong> Product <strong>of</strong> the Year.<br />
Carey Fournier, I&R manager at Nestlé and Michelle Bezuidenhout,<br />
brand manager at Nestlé received the award from Harshvardhan Sarda,<br />
executive director for <strong>co</strong>nsumer research at Nielsen.<br />
Representatives from over 70 <strong>co</strong>mpanies enjoyed entertainment,<br />
snacks, music and meet-and-greet at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton,<br />
Johannesburg.<br />
Toya Delazy and her crew got everyone in the party mood<br />
with their the evening entertainment.<br />
Jamaican beats<br />
kicked <strong>of</strong>f the<br />
awards ceremony.
new:<br />
the first gliss repair care with<br />
liquid Keratin <strong>co</strong>mplex.<br />
Gliss ultimate repair.<br />
precisely rebuilds damaged hair substance<br />
For a new hair quality<br />
is proven to repair hair damage<br />
Voted Product <strong>of</strong> the Year 2013<br />
Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair: Repair + Gloss Treatment<br />
Voted Product <strong>of</strong> the Year in the Hair Treatment Category<br />
Tel +27 11 608 4010 info@acdo<strong>co</strong>.<strong>co</strong>.<strong>za</strong> www.acdo<strong>co</strong>.<strong>co</strong>.<strong>za</strong><br />
Winner Hair Treatment Category<br />
Survey <strong>of</strong> 5000 people by Nielson