Mumbai: Product of the Year (POY) India, the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, has officially announced its relaunch in India with a new identity, refreshed positioning, and a renewed focus on recognising meaningful innovation that resonates with consumers.
The POY mark has historically been associated with some of the most respected and innovation-led companies globally and in India, including Hindustan Unilever, P&G, Nestlé, ITC, Marico, Godrej, L’Oréal, Samsung, Philips, Havells, Haier, ICICI Prudential Life, Axis Max Life, and Tata AIA Life Insurance, among others. This legacy underscores the credibility and commercial relevance of the recognition.
Reintroduced for a rapidly evolving Indian market, the relaunched POY India positions itself as the premier global recognition of innovation — not just an award — backed by independent consumer research and part of a platform operating in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Emphasising the global strength behind the relaunch, Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year, said, “Product of the Year is built on a simple but powerful principle — innovation should be validated by the people it is designed for consumers. Across markets worldwide, the POY mark helps shoppers make confident choices in crowded categories, while giving brands a proven platform to accelerate trust, trial and growth. India is one of the most dynamic innovation markets in the world today, and we are excited to see the program relaunch with a renewed focus on credibility, independence and real consumer voice.”
At a time when innovation is a national priority in India across FMCG, technology, startups, and manufacturing, Product of the Year aims to establish itself as the definitive benchmark for consumer-validated innovation, helping brands move beyond self-claims to proof. The POY mark serves as a powerful signal of trust at shelf, on screen, and at scale — enabling brands to accelerate trial, strengthen launch and renovation narratives, and support premiumisation and trade conversations.
The renewed Product of the Year India introduces a modern logo reflecting credibility, momentum, and global relevance, alongside sharper positioning anchored in consumer trust and evidence-based innovation. Backed by NielsenIQ as its exclusive research partner, POY ensures rigorous, independent consumer validation while leveraging a stronger global network that enables Indian innovations to gain international recognition. Unlike traditional awards driven solely by jury opinions, POY winners are chosen by real consumers evaluating real innovation, making the POY mark a powerful trust signal across retail and media touchpoints. The platform is evolving beyond an award into a brand-building and marketing validation engine, enabling winners to amplify their innovation stories across media, retail, digital campaigns, and consumer engagement channels.
Commenting on the relaunch, Raj Arora, CEO, Product of the Year India, said, “India is entering a defining decade of innovation and we see it across large global brands as well as home grown brands that have achieved success and scale. Brands are investing more than ever in R&D, product development, and consumer-centric solutions—but innovation today needs proof, not just promotion. The relaunched Product of the Year India is designed to be that proof: a credible, consumer-validated certification that brands, leadership teams, and consumers can trust. With a new identity, NielsenIQ backed research, and a global platform, POY is ready to reclaim its relevance and raise the bar for innovation recognition in India.”
As consumers grow more discerning and categories become increasingly crowded with “new” and “improved” claims, the importance of credible third-party validation continues to rise. POY recognition helps brands build faster consumer trust, strengthen launch and renovation narratives, support premiumisation and trade discussions, and signal innovation maturity to leadership teams and global stakeholders.
Product of the Year India has officially opened entries for its upcoming edition, inviting brands across categories to submit their most innovative products and services. Eligible entries will be evaluated through independent consumer research conducted by NielsenIQ, with winners earning the right to carry the globally recognised POY mark.
