Winners are chosen following an intensive judging process based on months of rigorous research conducted by independent research house, Nielsen. Over 5 000 South African households are surveyed to understand which products have won the hearts and minds of consumers.

Selected from a shortlist of hundreds of products, the winners are from companies that continue to reinvent consumer science, which results in quality products, says PoY CEO and chief innovation analyst Preetesh Sewraj.

“Consumers in South Africa are highly discerning, which is something that the survey reiterates to local and international brand owners. International companies tend to launch products that are a generation or two behind those available in developed markets. We work to try and get South Africans the best products that companies have in their portfolios,” says Sewraj.

He says PoY will continue its mandate of lobbying brands to offer consumers the best products and services at a price deemed equitable.

Launched in 2008 in South Africa and present in more than 40 countries globally, POY is the world’s largest consumer voted programme that identifies and celebrates innovation in the product and services industry.

The 2015 winners cross a wide spectrum of industries, with the product categories ranging from personal care to household products, motor vehicle insurance and mobile phones.

Winners will be able to use the POY logo on various communication vehicles, such as television and print advertisements, and on-pack, to highlight the endorsement received from the South African public.

Product of the Year 2015 winners list:

Product/Category

Axe Peace - Youth Deodorant;
Glade Refresh Air - Air Care;
Whirlpool 9kg Washing Machine - Washing Appliance;
Bakers Mini Cheddars - Biscuits;
Hottiezzz Wheat Bag - Kids;
Dove Invisible Dry Deodorant for Women - Female Deodorant;
Dove Men+Care Invisible Dry Deodorant - Male Deodorant;
Sunlight Tropical Laundry Bar - Laundry Bar;
Sunlight 2in1 Tropical Washing Powder - Hand Wash;
iXelium Gas Hob - Large Cooking Appliance;
Fuze Tea Apple & Lemongrass and Fuze Tea Pear & Bergamot - Cold Beverage;
Knorr Brown Onion Soups - Soup;
Ola Rich 'n Creamy - Ice Cream;
Prime MotorTHRIFT - Motor Vehicle Insurance;
Nature Valley Oats and Chocolate Crunchy Granola Bar - Healthy Snacks;
Old El Paso Mild Cheesy Enchilada Mexican Meal Kit - Meal Kits;
Bokomo Protein Oats - Cereal;
Comfort Aromatherapy Concentrated Fabric Conditioner - Fabric Conditioner;
Lil-lets Intimate Care Feminine Wipes - Feminine Hygiene;
Lil-lets Pads - Feminine Protection;
Omo Auto Range - Auto Wash;
Samsung Galaxy S5 - Mobile Phones;
Maggi 2 Minute Noodles - Quick Meals;
Bio Lotion Body Lotion - Lotion;
Snowflake Treats Red and Blue Velvet Cupcakes - Baking;
Snowflake Cornflour - Cooking Additive;
Mr Muscle Easy Gel Cleaner - Power Cleaners;
Dursots Peanut Butter Smooth - Spreads;
Simba Cheese Twirls - Chips;
Oven Crisp Fish Fillet Portions Coated in a Southern Style Crumb - Frozen Food;
Johnson's Baby Soft & Shiny Hair Care Range - Hair Care;
Philips Avance Airfryer - Small Cooking Appliance;
DStv Explora - Satellite Television;
Champion Instant Maize Porridge - Staple Foods; and
Mr Sheen Automatic Dishwasher Tablets - Dishwash.

About Product of the Year

Product of the Year has enjoyed success for 30 years and on every continent on the planet with one key goal – to champion the rights of consumers to get the best in product innovation. The organisation was started in France by Christian Le Bret and has since growth to encompass developed markets, including the U.S., U.K., Italy and Australia, as well as developing markets, such as Brazil, India and South Africa.

In South Africa, the organisation was founded by Preetesh Sewraj with Nielsen conducting the research with over 5000 South African households surveyed. Research is conducted one-on-one and face-to-face making it the largest survey on consumer innovation in the country. Past winners come from companies as diverse as Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, Colgate-Palmolive, Samsung and Nestle.

In total 35 innovative products were identified in the 2015 leg of the research. Winners will be able to use the Product of the Year logo on various communication vehicles, such as television ads, print and on-pack, to highlight the endorsement they have received from the South African public.

For more information on Product of the Year, visit www.productoftheyear.co.za.