NIDO Gets Gold in Innovation Awards

The regional rollout of NIDO Nutrition System’s Project Addition in AOA won the Gold in the recently concluded Nestlé Innovation Awards, a global competition among Nestlé markets aimed at stimulating ideas for innovation and renovation. Zone AOA markets who have implemented Project Addition include the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, the Middle East, and Malaysia, among others. 

Zone AOA Managing Director Frits van Dijk, who received the award for the Zone at the Market Managers’ Conference held on April 16, 2008 in Switzerland, congratulated Zone AOA markets for the much coveted award. “The successful multi-market introduction of NIDO ‘Addition’ in all your markets is a good example that when we have a BIG idea, we get the markets’ commitment to go all out. All of us in Zone AOA can be proud of this achievement, because it shows Best Practice in action,” Mr. van Dijk said in a communication to Zone AOA market heads, who also each received a trophy during the Conference. NPI Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandkishore received the award for Nestlé Philippines. 

An annual recognition program, the Nestlé Innovation Awards 2008 encourages innovation and renovation among Nestlé markets to drive growth and to incorporate Nutrition, Health and Wellness (NHW) in the Company’s products and brands. 

Project Addition, launched in Nestlé Philippines in 2006, involved adding Probiotics (Lactobacillus PROTECTUS®) to the NIDO Nutrition System (Growing Up Milks range) to provide more protection as it strengthens the immune system. 

“This SBU initiative, which drew from the Nestlé extensive research on and knowledge of Probiotics, solidified the NIDO positioning of ‘protection’, allowing the brand unique differentiation in the markets,” explained NIDO Consumer Marketing Manager Leslie Go-Alcantara. It was the SBU who requested the Philippines to launch Project Addition. The resulting campaign of the Philippines was rolled out to other Nestlé markets in Zone AOA in 2007. 

“This Gold Award is something that we can be truly proud of,” shared DHNS Business Executive Manager Eugene David. “Like the 10 Signs of Good Nutrition, which we also started in the Philippines and eventually rolled out to other markets, the Philippine campaign was borrowed with pride by other markets. This showcases our way forward, that we can truly collaborate and leverage the strength of Research & Development with fewer, bigger and bolder initiatives.” Last year, NIDO Fortified’s 10 Signs of Good Nutrition won the 2nd prize in the 60/40 Hit Parade. 

Innovation Award winners were judged based on four major criteria: focus on NHW opportunities; leveraging our major brands; premiumization; and profitable growth through bigger, bolder and better innovations. This year’s distinguished panel of judges include EVP and Head of Technology, Research & Development Werner Bauer; Head of Zone AOA Frits van Dijk; Head of Zone Americas Paul Polman; Head of Zone Europe Luis Cantarell; F&C Group Control Head Kevin Berryman; Head of Corporate Wellness Unit Christianne Kuehne; Head of Nestlé Professional SBU Marc Caira; Nestlé Nutrition CEO Richard Laube; Nestlé Waters CEO John Harris; CO-Supply Chain Head Tony Borg; Nestlé Research Center Head Peter van Bladeren; EVP for SBUs, Marketing and Sales Lars Olofsson; and Head of IMD Peter Lorange. 

Other Innovation Awards winners were: CEO Awardee NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto for Zone Europe and Japan; Silver Awardees NAN/GOOD START/NIDINA/NIDAL/BEBA premium infant formula (worldwide); MILO Relaunch (Malaysia); and BENEFUL prepared meals (North America). Bronze awardees were PURINA Veterinary Diets Fortiflora (North America); NIDO Rindes Diario affordable milk (Mexico); MAGGI Taste Bhi Health Bhi (India); MAGGI/Winiary Recipe Mixes (Russia and Poland); and NESPRESSO Boutiques (worldwide).

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (May 30, 2008)