P&G Leads 2010 Edison Best New Product Award Finalists With Five Nods

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- America's biggest advertiser, Procter & Gamble (P&G) leads the list of finalists in the 2010 Edison Best New Product Awards presented by Discovery Channel with five nods according to an announcement made today, the 163rd birthday of renowned American inventor Thomas Alva Edison, by the Edison Awards Steering Committee at New York's legendary Friars Club.  The announcement was webcast by Discovery Channel, a premier non-fiction cable TV network and a sponsor of The Edison Best New Product Awards.  Video of the announcement is available at www.discovery.com/edisonawards.  

Motorola placed second with three of its products among the 55 Edison Award finalists, and General Electric was third with two.  Notable finalists include OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Technology, which enables a stolen automobile to be stopped in its tracks electronically, General Electric's Volusion E-Series Ultrasound System, which allows three dimensional viewing of babies in the womb, and the Honeywell Wind Turbine from Windtronics.  The Wind Turbine is a compact wind-powered electric generator designed for residential use.  It could generate enough electricity to make power companies write checks to consumers who use it.  Competing electronic reading devices from both Amazon (Kindle II Digital Reader) and Barnes & Noble (Nook Digital Reader) made the list of Edison Award finalists.

In addition to the Edison Best New Product Awards, the Edison Steering Committee also announced four finalists for the Edison Green Award, which honors companies for environmentally friendly innovation, and two lifetime achievement awards.  The latter go to former P&G CEO A.G. Lafley, who used the Open Innovation strategy to drive his company's new product success rate fivefold from the national average (10%) to a whopping 50%; and Dr. Susan Hockfield, the noted neuroscientist now 16th president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The list of finalists was read by Edison Awards Steering Committee chair Sarah Miller Caldicott, great grandniece of Thomas Edison and co-author of the book, "Innovate Like Edison," and Ben Bailey, host of Discovery Channel's "Cash Cab" program.  The list is available online at www.edisonawards.com.

The Edison Awards, a peer-review honor similar to the Oscars, are voted on by roughly 2,000 members of the not-for-profit Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG), America's top executives and academics.  The awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Alva Edison, inspiring America's drive to remain in the forefront of innovation, creativity and ingenuity in the global economy.  Thomas Edison created four industries without which modern life cannot function.  They are Electric Power Generation, Recorded Sound, Motion Pictures, and Electric Light Bulbs -- all things we take for granted today.  Edison also made crucial contributions to a host of other industries including the Storage Battery, Telecommunications, Cement, Chemicals, and Mining.   Edison Awards are judged on Marketplace Innovation, Marketplace Success, Technological Innovation, Market Structure Innovation, Societal Impact, and Design Innovation.

"Innovation is more important now than ever," said Caldicott.  "The finalists we announced today are the moving parts in the engine of economic growth.  They inspire people to think outside the box and improve the lives of people around the world.

"My great, great uncle, Thomas Edison, mastered five different forms of innovation.  Most often, we think of technological innovation as the only form of innovation, but actually there are many others. Edison knew this, and drew upon them all."

The 2010 Edison Awards are sponsored by TV's Discovery Channel, Google, The Nielsen Company (a leader in market research and intelligence best known for TV's "Nielsen ratings"), and Strategyn, a global leader in innovation management.  The Edison Awards are associated with The Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey.

A complete list of Edison Best New Product Award finalists by category and Edison Green Award finalists follows.

2010 Edison Best New Product Awards and "Green" Award Finalists

Technology

3M MOBILE PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY, from 3M -- An ultra-miniaturized projection camera that can fit on the finger tip.

iRaC3 PORTABLE VIDEO MONITORING SYSTEM from Lextech Labs -- A portable security monitoring system which can be run from an iPhone.

LIVESCRIBE PULSE SMARTPEN, from LiveScribe Inc. -- Robust data and audio recording platform housed in a pen.

ONSTAR STOLEN VEHICLE SLOWDOWN TECHNOLOGY, from OnStar -- Automotive technology that reduces deaths and damage associated with high speed police chases.

MOTOBLUR™ SOFTWARE from Motorola -- Software which connects cell phones to social media networks with one touch.

Electronics and Computers

CARMD HANDHELD CAR TESTER AND SOFTWARE KIT, from CarMD -- The first handheld test unit designed for average drivers to assess the health of their car.

DROID CELL PHONE, from Motorola -- Smart phone positioned to rival iPhone as industry standard.

LITTMANN® ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE MODEL 3200, from 3M and Zargis -- Electronic stethoscope which amplifies, displays, and transmits data for a wide array of body sounds, particularly those associated with the heart.

ZEO PERSONAL SLEEP COACH, from Zeo Inc. -- The first sleep diagnostics system which can be used at home.

Science and Medical

S SERIES BEHIND-THE-EAR HEARING DEVICE FEATURING SWEEP™ TECHNOLOGY, from Starkey Laboratories -- Touch-activated volume controls on hearing device transforms life for the hearing-challenged.

COMPAS™ PROSTHESIS ALIGNMENT SYSTEM, from OrthoCare Innovations -- Real-time computerized feedback system for lower limb prosthetic wearers.

VOLUSON® E-SERIES ULTRASOUND SYSTEM, from GE Healthcare -- Advanced imaging technology used in the prevention and diagnosis of women's health issues.

HARMONIC BLADE FOR ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, from Ethicon Endosurgery -- Soft tissue surgical device designed to dramatically reduce bleeding.

Science and Medical – Game Changers

MICROJET TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY PATCH, from Corium International -- Transdermal patch delivers a diverse array of drugs painlessly, for days at a time.

MICROCHIPS' ILLUME™ CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, from MicroCHIPS -- Next-generation diabetes management system using internal chip devices.  

NANOMAXX HANDHELD ULTRASOUND SYSTEM, from Sonosite Inc. -- The NanoMaxx hand-carried ultrasound system is a high resolution imaging platform intended for point-of-care visualization across a variety of medical applications -- in other words, it brings the ultrasound to the patient.

Consumer Packaged Goods – Personal Care Segment  

COVERGIRL® & OLAY® SIMPLY AGELESS FOUNDATION, from Procter & Gamble -- High performance foundation delivers anti-aging benefits and appeals to cross-over shoppers.

FULL THICKENING CREAM FOR HAIR, from Living Proof -- Long-lasting hair cream which increases hair volume using new scientific principles.

ALWAYS® INFINITY FEMININE PROTECTION PADS, from Procter & Gamble -- Feminine protection combining breakthrough comfort and protection in a flexible, non-cellulose pad.

Consumer Packaged Goods – Household Segment  

PUREX 3-IN-1 LAUNDRY SHEETS, by Henkel -- One-step, easy-to use laundry sheets simplify consumers' laundry experience.

FEBREZE FLAMELESS LUMINARY IN-HOME SCENT DELIVERY SYSTEM, from Procter & Gamble -- Breakthrough form delivery for in-home specialty scents.

BOUNCE DRYER BAR, from Procter & Gamble -- In-dryer fabric softener creates a new consumer market using a product form borrowed from hotels.

SCRUBBING BUBBLES® TOILET CLEANING GEL, from S.C. Johnson -- Gel disc applied with a simple tube applicator keeps toilets clean and fresh for a week.

Consumer Packaged Goods – Food Segment  

BETTY CROCKER GLUTEN-FREE MIXES, from General Mills -- First line of mass marketed gluten-free mixes offers high taste appeal and reasonable prices.

HEALTHY CHOICE FRESH MIXERS™, from Con Agra -- Freshly prepared single serve meal creations that are nutritionally balanced, tasty, and can be microwaved.

DANACTIVE, YOGURT-BASED PROBIOTIC DRINK, from Dannon -- Disease fighting bacteria delivered in a delicious yogurt-based drink can transform your immune system.

Consumer Packaged Goods – Consumer Drug Segment  

ALIGN® PROBIOTIC FOOD SUPPLEMENT, from Procter & Gamble -- A daily probiotic food supplement that helps build and maintain a healthy, balanced digestive system.

LATISSE --The first prescription medication allowing consumers to re-grow eyelashes, safely.

ZYRTEC® ALLERGY TREATMENT, from McNeil Consumer Healthcare -- Anti-allergy treatment

maintains leadership position after shift from prescription to over-the counter status.

Media & Visual Communications

iFOOD ASSISTANT, powered by Kraft -- An iPhone app which can be conveniently used to plan a variety of quick, healthful meals every day.

SOJERN TRAVEL ADVERTISING, by Sojern -- Targeted advertising on boarding passes leverages online check-in trends.

KINDLE II DIGITAL READER, from Amazon.com -- Handheld digital e-reader offers computer functionality.

NOOK DIGITAL READER, from Barnes & Noble -- Android-based digital e-reader offers reading comfort with customizable color screen.

Industrial Design  

SOLE POWER ROOF TILE, from SRS Energy -- High-performance, curved solar roof tiles can be installed by traditional contractors versus special technicians.

MOTOROLA APX™ 7000 FIRST RESPONDER RADIO, from Motorola -- Ergonomics and dual-panel design of this first responder radio increases safety and speed.

PILAR® KITCHEN FAUCET WITH TOUCH 20, from Delta -- Touch-activated faucets save water, energy, and reduce the spread of harmful germs.

Lifestyle and Social Impact  

THE EDISON NATION OPEN INNOVATION NETWORK, from Edison Nation -- Robust online search network which can be accessed to advance "open innovation" at a reasonable cost.

NON-PROFIT SOFTWARE SUITE, from CCA For Social Good -- Easily accessible suite of software products expressly designed for nonprofits.

THE VIRTUAL WALLET, from PNC Financial Services Group -- Suite of personal banking services targeted to Gen Y consumers available solely online and via mobile platforms.

GE HYBRID WATER HEATER, from GE Consumer & Industrial Appliances -- Energy-saving hybrid water heater compatible with new Smart Grid technologies to be manufactured in the U.S.

Living, Working & Learning Environments  

WORKSPRING, by Steelcase -- Offsite meeting space that maximizes productivity and encourages collaborative work styles.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, from The Phoenix Commotion -- Building affordable housing from cast-off materials and training unskilled people in the process.

AFFORDABLE GREEN HOUSING, from Builders Of Hope -- Renovating homes slated for demolition to create a body of affordable, "green" homes.

Transportation  

TATA NANO AUTOMOBILE, from Tata Motors -- Revolutionary new car with a sticker price under $3,000.

THE BRAMMO ENERTIA MOTORCYCLE, from Brammo, Inc. -- High performance electric motorcycle can be recharged by plugging into the wall outlet.

Energy & Sustainability – Sustainability  

PRIMA BOTTLED WATER PACKAGING, from Primo Water -- Plant-based plastic water bottle biodegrades in only 30 days.

NATURA ZERO-VOC PAINT, from Benjamin Moore -- Natura emits zero volatile organic compounds, yet is available in 3300 shades.

100% POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED PLASTIC CLAMSHELL PACKAGING, from Earthbound Farm -- New plastic packaging compound made from all post-consumer recycled plastic creates new market.

Energy & Sustainability – Energy  

OPOWER SOFTWARE AND MARKETING PROGRAM FOR UTILITIES, from OPower -- Software and marketing suite for utilities designed to change consumer energy usage behaviors.

HONEYWELL WIND TURBINE, from Windtronics -- Revolutionary wind turbine design operates effectively in winds less than 5 mph.

QUANTUM LIGHT™ OPTICS, from QD Vision -- Advanced nanotechnology and quantum dot materials decrease energy usage in consumer lighting products.

Edison Green Award Finalists  

REBUILDING THE CITY OF GREENSBURG, Greensburg, Kansas -- Small town destroyed by tornado totally rebuilds using 100% green practices.

KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORES -- Leading U.S. retailer becomes largest host of solar electricity in the world.

STONYFIELD FARM, New Hampshire -- Leading yogurt producer shifts cow's feed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

FIRST CARBON-NEUTRAL WINERY, by Parducci Cellars, California -- Winery implements comprehensive water and soil reclamation practices to become carbon neutral.

TERRACYCLE RECYCLED PRODUCTS AND WEARABLE FASHIONS from TerraCycle -- TerraCycle "upcycles" common consumer packaged goods items like Capri Sun Drink Pouches into cool fashion handbags, backpacks, totes, pencil cases, and more.

SOURCE Discovery Channel