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More than 350 Irish food and drink industry leaders will gather for Bord Bia’s biennial Food and Drink awards, hosted by Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, on Wednesday 29th November in the RDS Concert Hall. Bord Bia has announced the details of 24 companies who have been shortlisted for these awards which recognise excellence and celebrate success in Ireland’s largest indigenous industry. The companies, which represent the most progressive, ambitious and forward-looking in Ireland’s thriving food and drink industry, have been shortlisted in seven categories including: Branding; Consumer Insight; Digital Marketing; Entrepreneurial; Export; Innovation; and Sustainability.

A record number of submissions were received by Bord Bia which were then adjudicated by a team of seven independent judges* with extensive experience in business, global markets, media, marketing, and sustainability. Following a comprehensive judging process, the shortlisted companies have been selected.

Food and Drink Awards 2017 Shortlist:
In total, Bord Bia received over 24 entries across the seven categories. The shortlisted companies under each category are as follows:
•    Branding Award
The companies shortlisted for this award have demonstrated that they have differentiated themselves from competitors by using creative marketing communications, consumer insight and understanding to develop brand strategies ensuring long term success. The shortlist includes: Britvic Ireland (Club Orange); Diageo (Baileys); The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney (Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin); and The Happy Pear.
•    Consumer Insight Award
This award recognises businesses who have demonstrated how research and the identification of consumer insight has led to an improved or new understanding of the consumer in a particular market, leading to commercial growth. The shortlist in this category includes: Glanbia Ireland; Butlers Chocolate; Glenisk and Britivic Ireland.
•    Digital Marketing Award
The companies shortlisted for this award have shown how the imaginative use of digital platforms, either on their own or in conjunction with traditional media, can strengthen brand performance and enhance the profitability of the company. The shortlist in this category includes: The Little Milk Company; Glanbia Ireland; Flahavans; and The Happy Pear.
•    Entrepreneurial Award 
This award recognises individuals or companies who have shown true entrepreneurial flair. It rewards commitment, leadership and self-belief, either to create a new and successful business, or to radically improve, or turn around, the performance of an existing one. The shortlist includes: Glenilen Farm; Gallaghers Bakery; and Stonewell Cider.
•    Export Award
This award recognises the outstanding achievement of Irish food and drink companies who continue to grow their business based on strategic planning, consumer insight and effective use of resources in overseas markets. The shortlist is divided into two distinct categories and includes the following smaller companies, Silver Hill Foods; The Little Milk Company; Butlers Chocolates; and Good4U and larger companies, Green Isle Foods; Kerry Group; Dawn Meats; and ABP Food Group.
•    Innovation Award
The companies shortlisted for this award have demonstrated that they are thinking ahead and proactively tracking the changing consumer landscape to develop original products and deliver solutions to meet ever-evolving consumer needs. The shortlist includes: Pip & Pear; Glanbia Ireland; Wicklow Way Wines; and ABP Food Group.
•    Sustainability Award 
The Sustainability Award recognises companies that have planned and executed significant sustainability commitments in relation to sourcing, resource efficiency, health & nutrition and contributions to their local community. The shortlist includes: ABP Food Group; Heineken Ireland; Boortmalt; Kerry Group; and Dawn Meats.
•    An additional sustainability award will be announced for one of the following companies who have demonstrated outstanding impact from a specific project. These include: Sam Dennigan; Monaghan Mushrooms; and Butlers Chocolate.

*The judges for the awards included:
•    John Fanning, Chairman of Bord Bia’s Brand Forum and lectures in Branding and Marketing Communications at the Smurfit Business School;
•    Orlaith Blaney, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Ervia;
•    Cera Ward, Country Director for Large Customer Sales, Ireland in Google;
•    Matt Dempsey, former Editor Irish Farmers Journal and Chairman of the National Newspapers of Ireland;
•    Heather Ann McSharry, non-executive director on the Boards of Greencore plc., CRH plc., Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. and a Council member of the Institute of Directors;
•    Frank Fenn, former Managing Director of DCC Food & Beverage Ltd;
•    Martin Chilcott, Founder and CEO of 2degrees, the world’s leading digital collaboration platform provider for sustainable business.

The overall award winners in each category will be announced at a Gala Luncheon at the RDS Concert Hall on Wednesday 29th November 2017. For further information visit www.bordbia.ie/awards.

CAPTION:

Pictured are family members Karol Butler, Laura O’Sullivan, Bernie Butler and Michelle Butler of Good4U, one of 24 Irish food and drink companies that have been shortlisted for Bord Bia’s Food and Drink Industry Awards. Sligo based Good4U is a family run business founded in 2004 by the Butler family to provide a range of healthy snacks and seeds.