The Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards will be back for the third year in a row on June 9th, 2011 in San Diego, California. The awards take a fresh approach to beverage competitions by linking producers to the people who matter the most-the consumers. The organizers invite all producers of alcoholic beverages to submit entries for the annual competition. The SIP Awards were instituted in 2009 to celebrate the diversity and high quality of spirits and to recognize the best of the best in an effort to generate unbiased and impartial acknowledgement.
“We wanted to find out which spirit brands would come out on top if all of the hype and marketing were taken out of the equation,” said Paul Hashemi, executive producer of the SIP Awards. The SIP Awards has established a completely merit-based awards system that effectively levels the playing field for beverage producers, both seasoned and new.
Spirits in the competition are judged in a blind tasting that is based on aroma, taste, and finish. Entrants are eligible to win bronze, silver, gold, or platinum SIP award, and can be empowered and transformed into the consumers’ choice for its spirit category. In 2010, 162 brands entered the global competition, with 29 receiving platinum medals.
Winners of the SIP Awards also receive exclusive exposure through internet media, social networking sites, television, and print publicity campaigns. Brands that win SIP Awards are distinguished as a preferred brand by consumers, which strengthens the brand to rise to new heights in marketing and sales. Beverage industry media partners offer special promotions extended only to SIP Award medal winners, which can contribute to their public relations activities.
“Winning a platinum SIP Award is a wonderful affirmation that has allowed us to creatively market our 360 Double Chocolate Vodka directly to the consumer market,” said Stephanie Parsons, marketing manager of Earth Friendly Distilling.
The deadline for entering the SIP Awards is May 2, 2011. For entry forms and information on the upcoming competition, visit http://www.sipawards.com
