Awards Categories

Fragrance of the Year

All fragrances introduced in 2011 by a member company of The Fragrance Foundation are eligible to appear on the ballot. Non-members who wish to enter their fragrances in the FiFi voting process are required to pay an entry fee. A validation form was sent to all fragrance companies that introduced a fragrance in 2010, asking them to identify and validate the class of distribution and notarize the form. The initial ballot is prepared based on the notarized forms and includes the fragrances introduced nationally in 2010 in their respective distribution categories. Members of The Fragrance Foundation as well as the trade press vote on this initial ballot and the results of that voting determine the TOP FIVE Men’s and TOP FIVE Women’s 2011 Fragrance Introductions in each of the following distribution categories: Luxe, Nouveau Niche, Broad Appeal, Specialty Brand and Direct to Consumer. These Finalists become the official FiFi Awards NOMINEES, and are announced and honored at the FiFi Finalists Breakfast on April 27th, 2012 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The second ballot lists these FRAGRANCE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES and is also voted on by the membership of The Fragrance Foundation and the trade press as well as by consumers who are able to cast their votes online.

Each fragrance is evaluated based on having achieved star status through national consumer response to its launch, packaging, advertising and marketing strategy. Full members receive three, six or nine ballots – the number of ballots is determined by the level of membership. Voting Members receive one ballot.

Best Packaging of the Year

The Best Packaging of the Year nominees must have been introduced in 2011 as part of a new fragrance launch. There are four categories: Women’s Luxe; Men’s Luxe; Women’s Popular Appeal; and Men’s Popular Appeal. The packaging entries are voted on by members of The Fragrance Foundation and trade press.

Media Campaign of the Year

Media campaigns – including advertising in print, television, online and other media – created and launched around new 2011 fragrances or existing fragrances are eligible to participate for Media Campaign of the Year – Women’s and Media Campaign of the Year – Men’s. The media campaign entries are voted on by members of The Fragrance Foundation and trade press.

Bath & Body Line of the Year

The Bath & Body Line of the Year for 2012 must have been introduced in 2011 and achieved star status through national consumer response to its packaging, advertising and promotion. Entries are voted on by members of The Fragrance Foundation and trade press.

Interior Scent Collection of the Year

The Interior Scent of the Year for 2012 must have been introduced in 2011 and achieved star status through national consumer response to its packaging, advertising and promotion. The following products are eligible for this category: candles, potpourri, diffusers, electric and other significant interior scent applications. Entries are voted on by members of The Fragrance Foundation and trade press.

Editorial Excellence in Fragrance Coverage

There are four awards in this category. “Scent Feature” (Women’s) is for best editorial article in excess of 500 words. “Scent Bite” (Women’s) is for best short article from 250 – 500 words. “Men’s Feature” is for best editorial article of 250 words or more for men. “Blog feature” is for best online editorial. All entries are judged based on how well the editorial content and supporting visuals helped to bring fragrance awareness, as well as meaningful information about fragrance, to the consumer. Along with the quality of the overall feature, other points considered include originality, creativity, accuracy and depth of information presented. Article(s) must have appeared in a 2011 magazine issue or blog post.

Technological Breakthrough of the Year

Member companies who submit entries for Technological Breakthrough of the Year are required to make a presentation and be judged by a distinguished panel of technical experts. There are three award categories to better reflect the different types of technological innovations – Fragrance Creation, Packaging Technology/Delivery Systems and Information Technology. Submissions for this award are judged on the following criteria: the innovation must have been created in 2010, must be original and must have the potential to move the industry ahead as a whole.

Fragrance Hall of Fame

The Fragrance Hall of Fame Award recognizes a fragrance classic (men’s and women’s) which was fifteen or more years old in 2011. To be eligible to appear on the Ballot, companies are required to submit materials to support the marketing strategies which helped the fragrance achieve awareness and success in 2011, including: new form of product (if any); new packaging (primary or secondary); new advertising (print or TV) and uniqueness of collateral support (in-store promotion, sampling, display, etc.)

Retailer of the Year

The Retailer of the Year award recognizes a retailer that has made a consistent effort to support the overall fragrance category throughout 2011 independent of new product launches. Retailers in all categories are eligible for nomination by the Board of Directors including: department stores, chain & drug stores, specialty stores and non-traditional/direct marketers. The nominees must have demonstrated year round support for the fragrance category using innovative methods to bring the customer to the fragrance counter including but not limited to: special events and in-store promotions; advertising; innovative displays or department design; employee training; consumer education; and communication.

Perfume Extraordinaire of the Year

The Perfume Extraordinaire of the Year award recognizes the actual “juice” of a fine fragrance, an extraordinary olfactive creation launched within the award year. The award is about craftsmanship and measures the aesthetic beauty of the fragrance identified by its design, signature, creativity and quality. It not only recognizes the Essential Oil Company but also the perfumer(s), who as olfactive visionaries inspire us most when their creations move the market forward.

Consumer’s Choice Award

The Consumer’s Choice Award was added in 2011. Fragrance-loving consumers cast their vote on a stand-alone basis for their favorite fragrance without being combined with any other voting tabulations. The winning fragrance will be recognized as a true consumer’s choice and receive the ultimate FiFi Award accolade. The voting will take place via social networking sites, media sites, osMoz.com, etc.