It’s an exciting year for the Australian drinks Awards. Not only do we have a fabulous new venue for the Awards ceremony, the ICC Sydney, but the drinks association has also announced changes to the conditions of entry for all awards.
The biggest change to the process is a switch to consumer panel for all awards, aside from: the Best Sales Achievement, Supplier of the Year and Brand of the Year Awards.
This means there will no longer be two judging rounds when deciding a winner. The brand with the best overall score from the consumer panel will automatically be the winner. The Online Consumer Survey includes 6,000 consumers determining their brand and product preferences, and social media, innovation and advertising performances. This is an increase of 2,500 consumers from last year, making the panel more robust.
“The new change to go to consumer panel will allow the consumer and the market to decide the winner,” said CEO Sandra Przibilla. “Putting the decision in the hands of the consumer will show which brand has resonated most and therefore deserves recognition.”
Innovation and use of social media is extremely important for brands looking to expand both profits and brand awareness. According to the Wine Market Council, more than 50% of millennials, who account for roughly 35% of alcohol consumption in each beer, spirits and wine, will post on social media when they are drinking alcohol and what they are drinking.
The Wine Market Council also states that about 60% of millennials find wine reviews to be “extremely” or “very” important when deciding what to drink.
We look forward to seeing your entries and can’t wait to see everyone at the awards on September 7.
An entry fee of AUD 495 plus GST applies per entry per category.
To review all the changes to this year’s Conditions of Entry, visit www.australiandrinksawards.com.au
Click here to enter your brand.
