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NEW YORK, Dec. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Best New Product Awards (BNPA), one of the largest North American consumer survey programs focused on new product development and innovation, today announced the winners of its first U.S. shopper survey. Close to 50,000 American Grocery Shoppers revealed their top picks for the best new consumer products in the food, personal care and household categories. In addition, the survey revealed views on health, the environment, packaging, organics, media influences and more.

Better Homes and Gardens, the official consumer media partner, will share the results with its more than 39 million readers in a promotion page in the May 2009 issue of the magazine and online at http://www.bhg.com.

Conducted in November 2008, the BNPA survey included key questions about individual product appeal, intent to repurchase, consumer confidence level, expected future spending habits, and a number of other insight provoking queries. The online survey boasts responses from 48,217 consumers, representative of the U.S. Grocery Shopper. This year, 77 products were evaluated, with 23 winners chosen from 38 leading manufacturers in categories that included cereal, juice, ice cream, anti aging skin care, oral care, mascara, shampoo and household cleaners. Each category had a minimum of 3 products from at least two different manufacturers. In order to win, the product had to score highest on product appeal and also highest on re-purchase intent among those who had purchased the product.

The Overall Best in Show this year was Olay Definity Color Recapture Moisturizer from Procter & Gamble. A complete list of winners follows.

Emerging trends include a move toward healthier and more natural food and personal care items, a heightened sensitivity to product value and quality, and an increased awareness of the manufacturers' environmental responsibility.

Now in its sixth year in Canada and its first in the U.S., the BNPA program is conducted by BrandSpark International, an independent brand strategy and market research firm (http://www.BrandSpark.com). The 2008 survey was executed simultaneously in Canada, allowing BrandSpark to provide comprehensive North American insights and key shopping trends. Global research services leader, SSI, provided the consumer sample.

"The Best New Product Awards are the People's Choice Awards for consumer products," says Robert Levy, President and CEO of BrandSpark International and Founder of the Best New Product Awards. "The program provides a barometer of North American consumer trends and attitudes; everything from health and wellness, to packaging concerns, the environment and social responsibility. The study has shown that endorsement by real American shoppers can influence others to purchase."

"Better Homes and Gardens is excited to be the official consumer media partner for the Best New Product Awards program in the U.S." says James Carr, Vice President, Group Publisher of Better Homes and Gardens. "We are always looking for new and innovative ways to help our readers understand their purchasing options, and help our marketing partners stay in touch with the evolving trends of American shoppers."

Supermarket News, the leading trade publication for the U.S. food retail sector, is also a media partner. "Our readers are closely tracking consumer attitudes towards spending in this difficult economy, including attitudes towards private label, health and wellness, and sustainability," said David Orgel, Editor-in-Chief, Supermarket News. The magazine will publish results from the BNPA survey.

    BrandSpark will reveal the full report in early 2009.



    Winners: Best New Product Awards

    Food Category Winners
    Category                     Product

    Cereal                       Kellogg's Special K Cinnamon Pecan
    Juice                        Simply Apple
    Carbonated Beverages         A&W Float
    Pasta Sauce                  Prego Heart Smart
    Yogurt                       Dannon Light & Fit
    Chips                        Doritos Collisions
    Soup                         Progresso Light
    Frozen Food                  DiGiorno Ultimate Pizza
    Ice Cream                    Edy's Slow Churn Vanilla*
    Confectionary                Hershey's Bliss

      *Best in Food Category



    Household Products Winners
    Category                 Product

    General Cleaning         Green Works Natural All-Purpose
                             Cleaner*
    Toilet Bowl Cleaner      Green Works Natural Toilet Bowl
                             Cleaner
    Laundry Detergent        Tide Pure Essentials Laundry Detergent
    Pet Care                 Arm & Hammer Essentials Clumping Cat
                             Litter
      *Best in Household Products



    Personal Care Winners
    Category            Product

    Mascara             L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Mineral-
                        Enriched Mascara
    Anti-Aging          Olay Definity Color Recapture Moisturizer*
    Hair Color          Clairol Nice 'N Easy Perfect 10
    Lip Care            Maybelline Moisture Extreme
    Shampoo             Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo
    Oral Care           Colgate Total Advanced Whitening
                        Toothpaste
    Toothbrush          Aquafresh Deep Action
    Hair Removal        Sally Hansen Spray On - Shower Off
    Body Wash           Dove Cream Oil Body Wash

      *Best in Personal Care Category and Best in Show

For more information about the Best New Product Awards program please visit http://www.BestNewProductAwards.com

About BrandSpark International

BrandSpark International is an independent brand strategy firm with a strong grasp on North American consumer segmentation, innovation and new product research. We strive to provide strategic insights providing clients with clear direction and actionable results.

SOURCE: Best New Product Awards

Web site: http://www.BestNewProductAwards.com/