Oral-B takes out dual honours at Product of the Year Awards for 2014

More than 16,000 Australian household shoppers were surveyed by global research giant Nielsen to discover the most inventive and popular new products to hit the shelves in the past year, resulting in Oral-B taking out dual honours. In the Dental Care category, Oral-B Pro-Health toothpaste took the top honour while the Oral-B Black 7000 power toothbrush took out top Dental Hygiene Appliance.

The 2014 Product of the Year Awards saw a record number of Australians put over 100 new products under the microscope to determine the winners, ranking new products against criteria such as trial performance, value for money and overall satisfaction. The winners represent the most innovative and exciting new products on the Australian market today.

Sarah Connelly, Director of Product of the Year Australia, said the Product of the Year survey findings enable consumers to shop with confidence across a diverse range of retail categories.

"Now in its fifth year in Australia, Product of the Year has become the nation's ultimate litmus test of new product innovations as judged by the consumer," she said.

"Whether you're doing your weekly grocery shop or investing in a major white goods purchase, Product of the Year acts as a trustworthy guide for navigating the retail market and takes the uncertainty out of purchasing a new product.

"Consumers can shop with ease knowing that every product displaying the Product of the Year sticker has been voted best in category by other consumers just like them."

To be eligible, new products must have launched between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2013 and be nationally available to qualify for entry. In September, a "Jury Panel" made up of 10 individuals ranging from media representatives to industry experts attended a judging day where Product of the Year showcased all product entries to review and trial.

The expert Product of the Year Jury Panel then created a shortlist of 108 products which went on to be reviewed and voted for in a national research study of more than 16,000 household shoppers conducted.

Judging criteria included product relevance; product uniqueness; product excitement; product likeability; value for money; and likelihood of purchase. The Nielsen research period started in October 2013, with winners determined in November. The winning products for the 2014 Product of the Year Awards were those that received the highest score in each category.

Established 27 years ago in France, Product of the Year currently operates in 38 countries with the same purpose; to guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufactures for quality and innovation.

Category - Dental Hygiene Appliance

Oral-B Black 7000

Unparalleled design meets advanced engineering - the newest addition to Oral-B's line-up of power toothbrushes, the Oral-B Black 7000, features the most advanced power brush technology in a sleek black design. The Oral-B Black 7000 is engineered to perform in style with 48,800 movements per minute with oscillating, rotating and pulsating bristles that provide a tooth-by-tooth clean. Offering the ultimate in personalised oral care, the top of the range power toothbrush includes modes such as tongue cleaner, daily clean, deep clean, sensitive, whitening and massage. It also comes with SmartGuide - a wireless display that guides your brushing experience with while-you-brush feedback to help you brush thoroughly, gently and consistently for the dentist-recommended two minutes.

Category - Dental Care

Oral-B Pro-Health

Pro-Health, Oral-B's all-in-one super toothpaste, is like nothing else in the market. It combines two powerful ingredients, stabilised stannous fluoride and sodium hexametaphosphate. Through clinical trials, the unique formulation delivered unprecedented results and the new paste is proven to deliver comprehensive care across all areas that dentists check most - cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, enamel, tartar, whitening and breath. This represents a marked advance in at-home oral care by providing a number of therapeutic oral health and whitening benefits combined in one product. No less than 70 scientific studies show that Oral-B Pro-Health delivers outstanding results in each of these areas: the acid test; gum health; fresh breath; plaque prevention; stain prevention; cavity control; hot and cold sensitivity; and tartar build-up.

For more information, visit www.productoftheyear.com.au.