Glass Packaging Institute Announces 2007 Clear Choice Award Winners

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) named the winners of its 2007 Clear Choice Awards during a Presentation and Reception at the McCormick Place Convention Complex in Chicago on May 7, 2007. This years awards recognized 11 consumer product goods companies and their achievements in expanding the frontiers of glass packaging design.

Through designing and using glass packaging for your brand, you are leading the way in providing your customers with what they really wanta pure, premium and sustainable product, says GPI President Joseph Cattaneo. Choosing glass for a food, beverage, or cosmetic product is an environmentally and socially responsible decision that allows for a package design that creates superior shelf impact and brand loyalty.

The food and beverage winners were:

Michelob Celebrate & Michelob AmberBock;
Sonoma Vineyards Chardonnay and Merlot;
La Famiglia DelGrosso Pasta Sauce;
Hanks Gourmet Beverages;
Mountain Valley Spring Water;
Crown Royal XR;
Captain Morgan Parrot Bay;
Bertolli Organic Pasta Sauce;
Frützzo Organic Pomegranate Açai Juice;
Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee.

Teds Montana Grill was also recognized for its Outstanding Sustainable Practices.

Clear Choice Awards Judge Ron Romanik, editor-in-chief, Package Design magazine, commented: I was very impressed with both the design and execution of the entries for the 2007 Clear Choice Awards. Many of the entries had a great combination of a striking shape, a strong presentation, and an enticing label. One of the strengths of glass packaging is how it can convey strength and confidence in a brand or product, and there were many examples that were successful in that way among this year's entries.

From a package design perspective, glass has always been one of my favorite materials to work with because of its flexibility and premium image. It was a pleasure to see this years entrants and how much thought went into each design, said Dan Matauch, principle and creative director, Flow-Design, Inc., Detroit.

The 2007 Clear Choice Awards judging panel included representatives from the packaging academia, packaging design and the packaging trade media:

Sarah Theodore, editor, Beverage Industry magazine;
Ron Romanik, editor-in-chief, Package Design magazine;
Deanna Jacobs, packaging professor, Rochester Institute of Technology;
Doug Palmer, vice president, consumer brands, Safeway;
Dan Matauch, principle/creative director, Flow-Design, Inc.

The entries were judged on aesthetics, creativity, marketability, and form and functionality.

All 2007 Clear Choice Award winners received an engraved, one-of-a-kind Clear Choice Award created by internationally-renowned, Smithsonian-exhibited glass artist, Tim Tate. Winners also received industry recognition and brand building media coverage.

The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is the trade association representing the North American glass container industry. Through GPI, glass container manufacturers speak with one voice to advocate industry standards, promote sound environmental policies and educate packaging professionals. For more information and complete details, visit the GPI website.