Ireland’s top food and drink companies to be recognised at industry awards
November 7th 2019
Shortlist announced for Bord Bia’s 2019 Food and Drink Awards
#BordBiaAwards
7th November 2019: Bord Bia today announced details of the 29 Irish companies shortlisted for the 2019 Food and Drink Awards. Designed to recognise excellence within Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, more than 300 industry leaders will gather at the event hosted by RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan on Wednesday 27th November in the RDS Concert Hall.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia, said, ‘The biennial Bord Bia Food & Drink Awards provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the drive and commitment that are the hallmarks of the Irish food and drink industry. Despite the challenging economic and trading conditions of the past two years, those shortlisted have demonstrated excellence in their use of marketing principles and consumer insight and they are shining examples of best practice across the industry. I want to congratulate all companies selected and wish them luck at the awards ceremony later this month.’
Food and Drink Awards 2019 Shortlist
Companies have been shortlisted across eight award categories; Brand Marketing, Consumer Insight, Diversity & Inclusion, Domestic Success, Export Growth, Future Leader, Sustainability and the Sustainability Project Impact Award.
Brand Marketing Award
Companies shortlisted in this category have demonstrated that they have differentiated themselves from competitors by using creative marketing communications and consumer insight to develop brand strategies, leading to long term success.
The shortlist includes: Collar of Gold, Flahavans, O’Brien Fine Foods, The Shed Distillery
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: Glenilen Farm, Kepak, M Bio
Diversity & Inclusion Award
This new award will recognise an organisation who has illustrated its commitment to the implementation and promotion of a robust and engaging Diversity & Inclusion Strategy.
The shortlist in this category includes: Dawn Meats, Diageo Ireland
Domestic Success Award
This award acknowledges companies who have strategically grown their share in the Irish market by demonstrating a comprehensive marketing strategy, a keen understanding of Irish consumers and an effective use of resources to achieve outstanding results.
The shortlist includes: Glenisk, Keelings Select, Kepak, Rye River Brewing
Export Growth Award
Businesses shortlisted for this award have shown continued growth in overseas markets through strategic market planning, consumer research and the effective use of resources in international marketing campaigns.
The shortlist in this category includes: John Stone Beef, Lír Chocolates, Silverhill Foods, The Shed Distillery
Future Leader Award
The individuals shortlisted for this award have made a significant positive impact to the business environment in which they work and have demonstrated consistent leadership and commitment to the food and drink industry.
The shortlist includes: Léan O’Connor, Drover Foods; Philip Martin, Blanco Niño; Valda Smith, O’Brien Fine Foods; John Harte, Five Farms Irish Cream.
Sustainability Award
The Sustainability Award recognises companies that have planned and executed significant sustainability commitments in relation to sourcing, resource efficiency, packaging and contributions to their local community.
The shortlist includes: ABP Food Group, Butlers Chocolates, Carbery, Flahavans
Sustainability Project Impact Award
An additional sustainability award will be announced for one of the following companies who have demonstrated outstanding impact from a specific project.
These include: Heineken, Irish Fish Canners, Keogh’s, Kepak
Judging Panel
The high calibre of submissions received this year were adjudicated by an independent judging panel with extensive experience in business, media, marketing, and sustainability.
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;
· Matt Dempsey, former Editor Irish Farmers Journal and Chairman of the National Newspapers of Ireland;
· Frank Fenn, former Managing Director of DCC Food & Beverage Ltd. and a member of the senior management of FTSE 100 company DCC plc.
· Damien McLoughlin, Professor of Marketing at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and an extensive publisher on marketing and strategy issues.
· 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;
· Margot Slattery, Global Chief Diversity Officer for Sodexo Group and has received numerous awards for her role in supporting Diversity and Inclusion and women in business initiatives.
The overall award winners in each category will be announced at a Gala Luncheon at the RDS Concert Hall on Wednesday, 27th November 2019. For further information, visit www.bordbia.ie/awards.