Reminder: Trender Award Submissions Due Friday

Apply now for the first annual Trender Awards- Best of 2009! The Trender Awards were created to honor gadgets and services that are not only cool, novel, and improve people's lives in some way, but also have appeal to everyday folks.

The deadline is January 30th and the application process is simple. Simply complete the form below and send an email to me with this information (bmahony@trenderresearch.com). I have already culled a list from over 40 companies for consideration based on my meetings before, during, and after CES. But to ensure your company's product is considered, please send me the following on one page (3-4 paragraphs):

1) Company name, product name, and submitter's contact info (as well as a product manager or executive I can contact if I have follow up questions).

2) Product datasheet (or link to web page), product photos and, better yet, links to video demos.

3) One-page award submission:

First paragraph-- description of what the product or service is and does, pricing, where to buy it or date when it will be available and where.

Second paragraph-- why it is novel, why it is better than what was offered before, why it can improve people's lives, entertainment experience, etc.

Third paragraph-- why is this product or service more than just a geeky gadget, that is, what makes this worthy of widescale adoption by everyday folks? Consideration will be taken based on price, ease of use/installation, appeal to a wide demographic set, marketing support, accessibility of channels, etc.

Process:

I will collect all submissions, conduct follow-up interviews if necessary, and put together the "short list" based on several different award categories. I will then send this list on to the rest of the Trender community for review, feedback, and their votes. I am hoping this whole process takes less than two weeks, meaning the Trender Awards should be announced in mid-February.