CGT Reveals Innovation Award Winners

September 28, 2009 - About 75 percent of new products fail and that number may be even higher in a recessionary environment. Needless to say, succeeding in innovation is a rare feat and that is why CGT's Innovation Awards once again recognize deserving consumer goods companies for excellence in innovation.

 

The awards were presented at the Consumer Goods Growth & Innovation Forum in Miami, Fla. last week. The nomination process started in July, when entries in two award categories - Most Innovative Product and Most Innovative Company -- were collected from consumer goods executives, industry analysts and consultants, and technology providers. These nominations were then narrowed down by CGT's editorial staff based on multiple award criteria, including success realized since launch. A slimmer nomination list was then sent to CGT's Editorial and Research Advisory Boards, which elected one "Winner" and two "Outstanding Achievement" (a.k.a runner-up) recipients in each category.

 

So with the votes tallied, CGT proudly presents the 2009 Innovation Award winners for 2009.

 

The Most Innovative Product Award honors the consumer goods industry's most innovative new product launched in 2008/2009.

 

WINNER: OFF! Clip-On Mosquito Repellent from SC Johnson & Son

Introduced in May 2009, this product was an instant hit with consumers making it nearly impossible to find in retail stores. Unlike ordinary personal repellents, the OFF! Clip-On repellent provides 12 hours of mosquito protection without putting anything on your skin. The quiet, battery-powered fan circulates odorless repellent all around you. The product launch exceeded SC Johnson's initial sales expectations, and achieved a 23 percent share of the personal repellent segment by June 2009.

 

 

 

Released in February 2009, the new reading device offers the original Kindle's revolutionary wireless delivery of content in a new slim design.

Introduced in January 2008, the Attune Dark Chocolate Probiotic Bar taps into the consumer trends of consuming both dark chocolate and probiotics for their health benefits.

 

The Most Innovative Company Award honors the consumer goods company that has continually driven growth through product and/or process innovation in 2008/2009.

 

WINNER: Henkel

Henkel has set a goal of increasing the share of sales attributable to new, innovative products in any three periods from 25 percent to 30 percent. The company currently holds more than 8,000 patents around the world and has an additional 5,000 patent applications pending. With a longstanding commitment to sustainable innovation, Henkel recently added Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets, Terra Activ Dish Washing products (in Europe); Eco-Smart refill packs for Dial liquid soaps to its product portfolio.

 

- RJ Reynolds Tobacco

RJR launched a Total Tobacco Strategy, anchored with the introduction of modern, smoke-free tobacco products like Camel Sticks, Camel Orbs and Camel Strips. The company also launched Camel Crush nationally in September 2008, a cigarette containing a small, crushable capsule in the filter that, when crushed, releases menthol.

Stay tuned to find out the winners of CGT's Business & Technology Awards, which will be announced at the 2009 Consumer Goods Business & Technology Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. on October 18-21.