CGT Reveals 2011 Innovation Award Winners

The importance of new products cannot be underestimated: 25 percent of revenue for the average CG company comes from products introduced in the last three years. Yet, only 18 percent are considered highly innovative new products.

 

Needless to say, true innovation is a feat enjoyed by an only an elite few each year, and that is why CGT is once again recognizing six consumer goods companies that defied the odds and launched successful new products and/or innovation processes in 2010 and 2011.

 

The awards were presented at the Consumer Goods Growth & Innovation Forum in Miami Beach, Fla. last week. The process started in May, when nominations 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 to a group of five finalists by CGT's editorial staff based on multiple award criteria, including the successes realized since launch. This short list was then sent to CGT's Editorial and Research Advisory Boards, which elected one overall “Winner” and two “Outstanding Achievement” recipients in each category.

 

So with the votes tallied, CGT would like to proudly reveal the Innovation Awards Winners for 2011.

The Most Innovative Product Award honors the consumer goods industry's most innovative new product launched in 2010/2011.

 

Launched in early 2011, Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray with Helioplex, a breadth of stabilized sunscreen technologies that delivers superior protection from the sun, is the first sunscreen specially formulated to be applied to wet skin. When applied to wet skin, ordinary sunblock can whiten and slide off. Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray instantly cuts through water to form a protective barrier. The product has been praised 10 beauty publications, including Allure magazine, which named it one of the Best Beauty Breakthroughs of 2011.

 

Since its January 2011 U.S. launch, the one-of-a-kind crystal-form fabric softener has been an overwhelming success with consumers. Despite being on the market for less than 150 days, Henkel's Purex Crystals has already posted sales of nearly $20 million — tripling Henkel's in-wash fabric softener market share in the U.S. and moving the Purex franchise from seventh to third in the in-wash fabric softener segment in less than six months. Consumer demand prompted Henkel to double production of the product in June 2011.

 

Outstanding Achievement Award: Sensodyne Repair & Protect from GSK Consumer Healthcare
In 2011, GlaxoSmithKline announced a breakthrough in dental care with the launch of new Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste containing Novamin, a unique formula with its roots in a technology originally developed to help stimulate bone regeneration. Harnessing this technology, Sensodyne Repair & Protect seeks out and attaches to the areas of teeth that are sensitive to form a “tooth-like” layer over exposed dentine, which helps to continuously repair and protect.

The Most Innovative Company Award honors the consumer goods company that has continually driven growth through product and/or process innovation in 2010/2011. 

 

Over the past five years, Newell Rubbermaid has successfully transformed its business model from a manufacturing and product focus to one that is consumer centric and built on marketing, branding and consumer-driven innovation. To do this in part, the company implemented a strategic, company-wide approach to uncovering insights and unmet consumer needs to drive new product innovations and put the consumer at the heart of the business. Today, through consumer-driven innovation Newell Rubbermaid delivers products that surprise and delight consumers — like the Calphalon Unison Nonstick Egg Paocher and Parker Ingenuity pen — creating an emotional bond with its brands over time.

 

Coty Inc.’s global pool of more than 100 experts has cultivated some of the most innovative ideas in beauty history. With 500+ patent registrations worldwide, its technologically advanced formulas and award-winning products continue to fuel Coty's growth. New products include: Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips By Sally Hansen, Rimmel Lash Accelerator, and Complete Salon Manicure By Sally Hansen. Check them out on the new product display table.

Research, design and development are at the core of Dyson. One third of people at Dyson are engineers and scientists. Dyson’s R&D investment has quadrupled over the last five years with plans to double engineers to continue to grow and invent stand out products. Recent new products include the The Dyson Digital Slim, the Dyson Groom tool, and the Dyson City vacuum.

For an in-depth look at the 2011 Award Winners, please read the upcoming December issue of CGT.

 

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