?Innovate to stand out in the clutter? seems to be the marketing mantra for many consumer products companies in India. To woo consumers, Indian companies are increasingly relying on innovative products. To felicitate innovations, the ?Product of the Year India Consumer Survey 2011? an independent survey done by AC Nielsen, has announced thirty winners voted by 30,000 Indian consumers. Incidentally, Nielsen survey was carried out in 36 markets in India and is the largest survey of its kind

Charulata Ravi Kumar,CEO, Product of the Year (India) said, ?This is not an award. It is a consumer verdict for the best innovations. It is an independent process that allows the consumers to evaluate new product offerings. It also helps increase sales by over 15-20%.?

The major winners at POY 2011 include, Hindustan Unilever?s Surf Excel Blue & Lifebuoy hand sanitiser, GSK Consumer Product?s Junior Horlicks Biscuit and Foodle (noodles) , Videocon?s LCD TV sets, Nerolac Paints, Spice Mobility Ltd’s phones , ITC?s Fiama De Wills shampoos and Coca-Cola India?s Maaza Milky Delight (juices) among others.? Our research and innovation has brought us rich laurels. Our dual Sim card phones are very much in demand now,? said Vikram Arya, deputy general manager, Spice Mobility Ltd. Sharing similar sentiments, Andrly Avramenko, vice president (juice business) Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia said:? Our innovation Maaza Milky Delite has won this award. We are delighted with this recognition.?

Incidentally, ?Product of the Year? is the global consumer recognition standard that celebrates, champions and rewards the best innovations in retail products done through an independent consumer survey across the country ? in 28 countries for 24 years.? There?s an increased participation year on year over our debut year in 2009. Product of the Year also helps companies understand the trends and usage patterns that influence a consumer?s choice and in turn, come up with more relevant and beneficial products in the market,? said Ravi Kumar.

Mike Nolan, global CEO, Product of the Year UK said, ?It?s a truly win-win platform for all because it allows consumers to evaluate innovations and helps manufacturers raise the overall benchmark of innovation in consumer goods.?

Christian LeBret, founder of the Product of the Year observed that there are many differences in the winners of Product of the Year around the world. ?But there is one common theme ? Innovation with relevance,? he said.