FDBusiness.com

Bord Bia has announced the shortlist for the 2015 Food& Drink Awards which will take place on Thursday 12^th November in The Mansion House, Dublin. The awards, which take place every two years, are designed to acknowledge and reward excellence within the Irish food and drink industry.  From over 160 entries,27 companies were shortlisted in eight categories:  Branding, Consumer Insight, Sustainability, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Export Development, Innovation and Success at Home.

Award winners will be announced at Bord Bia’s Annual Brand Forum dinner which will be attended by more than 300 industry representatives. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD will present the awards, which will be MC’d by RTE’s Keelin Shanley. Guest speaker at the awards ceremony will be Joe Schmidt, the Irish Rugby Team’s Head Coach.

The Shortlist

Entrepreneurial Award

This award recognises 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.

• Teeling Whiskey
• The Penny LoafCompany
• Gallagher’s Bakery (Pure Bred Gluten Free Range)

Branding Award

The Branding Award is for a company who has developed brand marketing strategies and differentiated itself from competitors by using creative marketing communications.

• Largo Foods (Tayto Crisps)
• Glanbia (Avonmore Super Milk)
• Glenisk
• The Happy Pear

Consumer Insight Award

This award recognises companies who have developed deep, actionable consumer insights to inform innovation and brand planning to deliver success in the marketplace.

• Ornua (Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur)
• Gallagher’s Bakery (Pure Bred Gluten Free Range)
• Glenisk

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award recognises food and drink brands who have demonstrated a forward thinking, outward looking, proactive approach to developing new products to meet changing consumer need.

• Oliver Carty (VOA Foods)
• McCormack Farms
• Gallagher’s Bakery (Pure Bred Gluten Free Range)
• Nobó

Digital Award

This award recognises companies and brands who have successfully connected with their audience via digital media and who have shown digital innovation in their marketing, planning and implementation.

• Largo Foods (Tayto Crisps)
• Lily O’Briens
• Keelings
• Britvic

Export Award

The Export Award is for companies who have demonstrated a commitment to international business and who have effectively utilised resources in growing their business abroad.

• Arytza
• Butlers Chocolates
• Silver Hill Foods
• Gallagher’s Bakery (Pure Bred Gluten Free Range)

Success at Home Award
The Success at Home Award recognises Irish food and drink companies who have adapted and innovated in response to extreme challenges in the Irish market.

• Aurivo
• Atlantis Seafood
• Glenilen
• Celtic Pure

Sustainability Award
The Sustainability Award rewards companies that have planned and executed significant sustainability commitments in relation to sourcing, resource efficiency, health & nutrition and local community.

• Dawn Meats
• Glanbia Ingredients
• Island Seafoods
• Meade Potato Company
• ABP Meats
• Boortmalt

Award applications, received during Summer 2015, were assessed by ajudging panel comprised of 10 leading experts from a cross-section of industries. Over 160 applications were received and following a comprehensive judging process, including a presentation to a panel of judges, the shortlisted companies have been selected.

For more information about the awards application process, visitwww.bordbia.ie/awards.