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The results are in: 12,000 Canadian consumers cast their votes for 2010 Product of the Year winners

TORONTO , Jan. 22 /CNW/ - The "consumer's choice" for new product innovation was celebrated last night at an awards ceremony recognizing the first-ever Canadian winners of Product of the Year. The winning products were selected following a national survey of over 12,000 Canadian consumers.

For the past two decades, the Product of the Year title has been the gold standard for consumer-voted product innovation for hundreds of brands worldwide, and late last year the program launched in Canada . The idea behind it is to help consumers, who are often bombarded with many product choices, to get informed on what's new and innovative in the marketplace.

As executive program director Sandie Orlando explains it, Product of the Year helps consumers cut through the clutter. "A positive endorsement from thousands of Canadian consumers sends a powerful message that these are products worth trying," says Orlando . "In a tough economy, when we're all trying to be smarter about how we spend our money, it's helpful to be able to take some of the guesswork out of our shopping experience."

Because the award is not limited to a narrow category, this year's winners include an eclectic mix of food, beverage, hair care, health care, and household products. The inaugural Product of the Year Canada winners are: Axe Shampoos & Conditioner, Baileys with a Hint of Coffee, BlueWater Potato Crunch Fish Fillets, Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale, Dempster's Healthy Way with ProCardio Recipe Bread, Majesta Bathroom Tissue, Mott's Fruitsations Apple Pomegranate + Antioxidant, Mott's Fruitsations Harvest Apple + Calcium, Springfree Trampoline, V8 V-Fusion, and Vivimind tablets.

Orlando explains that Product of the Year winners often reflect prevalent consumer trends. By way of example, she points to several winning products in the food and beverage categories that combine innovative flavours with good-for-you ingredients. "This aligns with the significant consumer interest we're seeing for products that help maintain optimum health," she explains. According to survey respondents, three of the top five most important considerations when purchasing new products are health-related. Consumers say they're looking for products that are more nutritious, have simple/natural ingredients, and improve health.

The Product of the Year Consumer Survey of Product Innovation was conducted across Canada last December by global research giant, TNS. A representative sample of over 12,000 consumers across Canada voted on products based on innovative design, function or packaging. As part of the survey, respondents also answer questions on purchasing behavior, attitudes towards innovation, and new product preferences.

For more information on Product of the Year and this year's winning products, visit productoftheyear.ca.

NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo of Olympian athlete Karen Cockburn accompanying this release is available on the Canadian Press Picture Service (photo IDNo. 7991489)

About Product of the Year

Product of the Year is the only distinction award for consumer products that rewards innovation, is voted on by consumers, and has global recognition. Established in France over 23 years ago, this consumer-driven award is presented annually in over 25 countries, including the U.K., Brazil , Italy , the U.S., and now in Canada as well. Product of the Year Canada invites a representative panel of over 12,000 consumers across the country to vote on products that demonstrate innovation in design, function or packaging, via an online survey conducted by independent research company TNS. productoftheyear.ca

About TNS

TNS Canadian Facts www.tns-cf.com is one of Canada's most prestigious full-service marketing, opinion and social research organizations. TNS, who recently merged with Research International, is the world's largest custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand & communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 70 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. www.tnsglobal.com

For further information: Sandie Orlando, Executive Program Director, Product of the Year Canada, [phone], C: [phone], [email protected]