Product of the Year USA and WPP's The Futures Company to Release Largest Global Study on Trends in Consumer Packaged Goods Innovation

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Product of the Year USA, the world's largest consumer voted awards program announced today that it will have the exclusive opportunity to add the GlobalMONITOR trends study by WPP'S The Futures Company to an already extensive arsenal of product innovation and consumer trends research.  The study will analyze key global trends over the last two decades that have energized consumer and brand behavior, acting as the key growth platforms for innovation around the world. The Futures Company will present preliminary results of the study at the annual Product of the Year Global Summit, being held for the first time in the U.S. in December 2010.

Product of the Year entrants and winners will receive a briefing on the key findings of GlobalMONITOR, informing future implications for new product launches and marketing. Top-line results will be shared amongst 300+ industry members at the annual Product of the Year awards night gala in February 2011.  "Product of the Year is the largest and most globally recognized consumer product award out there," said Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year. "Our global reach and 24 year history enables us to pull together experts like the Futures Company in addition to our own research and take an in depth look at trends within the CPG industry as a whole, rather than market by market. This is invaluable information unlike any other findings in the marketplace that we are pleased to make available to all Product of the Year entrants."

To accommodate all participants and ensure a fair competition, Product of the Year has extended the entry deadline to October 1, 2010. Over 60,000 American shoppers will vote on competing products, picking the most innovative winner in each category. Currently in its third year in the U.S., Product of the Year has proven to be a valuable marketing tool for brands and a trusted guide to innovation for consumers and retailers. Research shows that an impressive 21% of American shoppers are familiar with the Product of the Year award seal, after only two years. Additionally, winners from the past two years have reported increased sales, retail distribution and media coverage as a result of using the award seal. Hosted in 28 countries for more than two decades and highly sought by global CPG innovators like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Colgate, Johnson & Johnson and others, Product of the Year is the world's largest consumer-voted program that recognizes innovation in the CPG industry. Product of the Year entries are open to all innovative products launched after January 2009. The Product of the Year registration form can be found online at www.productoftheyearusa.com.

About Product of the Year: Product of the Year is the only consumer product award that rewards innovation and is voted on by real consumers. Established 24 years ago in France, POY currently operates in 28 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation.  Backed by the votes of 60,000 consumers, the distinct red POY seal serves as a shortcut for shoppers in the supermarket, saving them time and money. For manufacturers of the winning products, the award is a powerful marketing message proven to increase product trial retail distribution and sales by an average of 10-15%. Product of the Year accepts entries every year from consumer packaged goods that demonstrate innovation and were launched within the previous year. Entered products are then placed into specific categories such as food, beverages, personal care, household care, etc. with a product then being chosen as a winner in its category through a nationally representative online study. For more information, visit www.productoftheyearusa.com.

About The Futures Company:

The Futures Company specializes in futures and trends, in future-facing research and innovation, and in segmentation, quantitative analysis and modeling. A division of TNS, The Futures Company is a consultancy created through the merger of Henley Centre Headlight, Vision and Yankelovich. The Futures Company works with leading private sector companies and public sector organizations around the world. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 70 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tns-us.com for more information.

SOURCE Product of the Year USA