FAQ’s


Product of the Year (POY) is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by consumers. POY was created to champion innovative consumer packaged goods and give shoppers a shortcut to the very best new products on the market. It’s not only a prestigious award but a proven ROI tool. Over the past 25 years, our winners have enjoyed an average sales increase of 10-15%.


There are three things that make POY completely unique:

Focus on Innovation. POY exists to help guide shoppers to the best new innovative products as determined by consumers just like them. For winning products, this is not only an acknowledgement for innovation in the eyes of the industry, but a proven ROI tool.

100% Consumer-Voted. There are no experts or lab coats involved. Products are voted on entirely by a nationally representative sample of Australian consumers.

100% Independent. The competing products have no other interest in being included other than to put their product to the test of consumers. There are no advertising discounts or packaged deals that often come with magazine awards.

100% Transparent. Brands can participate only if they enter and once a brand wins, the award is theirs to use. We don’t “nominate” brands or ask for a percentage of their sales if they win.

Nationally Representative. The 7,000 consumers who vote are independently recruited by TNS to represent the national grocery shopping population. These people are not affiliated with magazine subscriptions and are 100% bias-free.

25 Years of History. Founded 25 years ago in France, Product of the Year has long been the standard of consumer confidence around the world.

30 Countries. POY is a powerful concept that works in every market. Over the past 25 years, we’ve grown to 30 countries and are still growing.We made our most recent debuts in Australia, USA, India, South Africa and Canada.

Nation’s Largest Study. With 7,000 shoppers voting on products, POY conducts Australia’s largest consumer survey on innovation. Our research partner TNS conducts this study with a representative sample of the Australian population – therefore reflecting the opinions of the nation rather than a group of subscribers to one magazine or volunteers.


We are currently accepting entries for products that have been launched between January 1st 2011 and August 31st 2012. Products must demonstrate an innovation in one of the following (but not limited to): function, design, packaging.

If you have a great product, it doesn’t matter if it’s been out almost the full year or is just about to launch.

If you’re not sure, give us a call and we can help figure out if you should be entering.


We accept entries from products that demonstrate innovation in their function, design or packaging. This could be a completely new type of product or a useful innovation to an older product or brand, such a new ingredient, redesigned shape or size, new formula (eg. less sugar) or new packaging (eg., user-friendly or “green”). Remember, it does not have to be revolutionary as long as it makes consumers’ lives better/easier. Please contact us directly if you have questions about your product.


We partner with the leading global research company TNS, to survey a nationally representative sample of 7,000 Australian shoppers. The survey is designed to assess consumer opinions on innovation, use, satisfaction and purchase intent of the competing products, with innovation being the strongest factor.


Yes. There is no limit on how many products from one brand can be entered, as long as they meet the criteria above.


Product of the Year will open for 2013 entries in April, 2012.

The general broad categories of product entries we accept include Food and Beverage, Health and Beauty, Personal Care, Household Products, Pet Supplies, Pharmaceuticals, Small Appliances and Electronics, etc. The exact category names are determined by TNS after all entries are received. Because this is an award for innovation, the categories are often driven by innovation trends of the preceding year. (For example, products like clinical-strength deodorants and bronzing lotions did not exist several years ago but now represent some of the best innovations).

We work with TNS Research to make sure only comparable products compete with each other and there are never less than 2 or more than 6 products in a category.

Entry to Product of the Year is free. If your product makes it through the Jury Preview , there is a finalist fee of $6,000. This fee pays for itself in the form of a research report prepared by TNS based on the results in each category. Win or lose, you receive this report in exchange for participation. If your product is voted Product of the Year, there is a one-time winner fee of $17,500 that allows promoting the win and using our logo in any type of media for a full year. It also covers inclusion in our own PR campaign to support all winners.

Winners have found numerous ways to benefit from POY over the past 25 years, but here are a few of the key benefits we’ve observed:

At the very least all winners are guaranteed the following:

• Inclusion in nationwide PR campaign to feature all winners
• All finalists receive TNS research report regardless of outcome

On top of that, being able to use the seal allows you to:

• Use it in consumer-facing marketing campaigns to drive trial
• Use it in PR outreach as “new” news to secure media coverage
• Use it with salesforce and retail partners to increase visibility and distribution
• Use it in industry relations to support your company’s reputation for innovation
• Use it internally to boost morale and set example

And this is why we know it works:

• 25-year track history across the globe
• 10-15% average sales increase reported by winner
• 135% over-year sales increase reported by 2005 UK Hair care winner Pantene
• 120% year-over-year sales increase reported by 2006 UK Hair Care winner Herbal Essences
• 15% sales increase reported by 2005 UK Facial care winner Neutrogena
• 106.4% sales increase reported by 2007 Spain Dishwashing winner Calgon

The role of the Jury is to evaluate all product entries and make sure only the truly innovative products go on to the consumer research phase. Jurors do not vote on the products, but help ensure that they meet the innovation and new to market criteria. Globally, our Juries are comprised of distinguished industry experts representing retailers, media, innovation and packaging associations. The 2012 Jury Chair was Luke Dunkerley, Woolwoths General Manager of Supermarket & Corporate Marketing.

Product of the Year was founded in 1987 in France by former L’OREAL executive, Christian LeBret.

Product of the Year currently exists in 30 countries, making its most recent debut in USA, Canada, India and South Africa.

You may contact us with any questions at 02 8356 1999.

With questions about entries please contact rosanna@productoftheyear.com.au.