A major contributing factor to the success of the Award has been the excellent work by the jury. For Pro Carton it is important that all partners in the Packaging Supply Chain are represented on the jury: the entries must be judged by experts who take sustainable decisions in practice.

As previously, Satkar Gidda from SiebertHead chaired the jury. His forte is design, and he is ably supported by representatives of large brands and a renowned retailer. Wilfried Duivenvoorden from Unilever and Anne Harding from Marks & Spencer joined the jury for the first time, for Stan Akkermans from Mars it was his second time. And as always, Peter Klein Sprokkelhorst put the technical intricacies of the entries into perspective.

Here is an overview of the finalists in the eight main categories, from which the category winners an the "Carton of the Year" and the Awards "Most Innovative" and "Sustainability" will be picked. Images and brief information on all finalists is available at www.procartonecmaaward.com:

Beauty & Cosmetics
Persuasive beauty: Box Femme Fatale eau de parfum
Beauty in seconds: Endocare One Second
More turnover: promotion ampoule
Powerful impulse: Skin Experts by Judith Williams Cosmetics

Beverages
Emotional intelligence: Biercée Gin
Shining example: Illuminated packaging for “Bombay Sapphire”
Twinkling diamond: Twinkle Box
Sex Appeal: Venus Bag

Confectionery
Enjoy together: ChocOlé
Perfect harmony: Hofbauer Marc de Schlumberger Trüffel
Perfectly rounded: Manner Easter Egg
Refined craftsmanship: Nut Box
Natural noblesse: Sustainable Chocolate Box
Dark temptation: Travel Trade series

Pharma
Distinguished clarity: Basica® Intensiv-Kur
Strength with cartonboard: Boost Buddy
Form and function: Duphafral
Cost-effective and child-proof: Nicorette Pandora Box

Shelf Ready
Powerful stimulus: CODE VLM – Volumising Lengthening Mascara
Pictures of an exhibition: Coverit Samples Display

Food
Appetising packaging: Côté Sushi
Sustainable souvenir: Marenda Box
The party carton: Packaging Lovely Cookies
Subtle and classic: Tilda Vintage Basmati Rice 500 g

Non-Food

Sustainable grip: Deltaclip International B.V.
New gun: Sealantgun
Perfect fit: Sloggi Men Match
Blue stimulus: Totally Wicked Odyssey™
Puristic polish: Victorinox Gift Box

Volume Market
Less is (much) more: Kleenex „Slim“ Pack for Facial Tissues
Clever seducer: Playboy VIP, for him, for her
Vital dynamics: Puma Sync 11 for her, for him
Marketing power: Special. T Capsule Tray

Most impressive this year, were the numerous coherent concepts for the Point of Sale. Chairman of the jury, Satkar Gidda: "We saw total integrated thinking such as carrying the product characteristics through onto the packaging which serves perfectly to help communicate the brand values and brand qualities. It demonstrated thinking beyond just packaging of a product. It’s this level of holistic branding that really shows what cartons can do for brands."

A comprehensive PR and marketing package ensures that a host of European media will report on the award winners and finalists. The concept is rolled out at a European level, the tools are available to all award winners and finalists to support their own marketing. The award-winning packaging and the finalists be on tour again - as part of a road show to various trade fairs and events throughout Europe. In 2014 they will be presented at the Interpack.

Tell us your personal favourites: just send an E-mail to mcewen@procarton.com. Three originals of the "Carton of the Year" with content will be drawn as prizes from all correct entries!

The finalists are currently documented on the Pro Carton/ECMA Awards website (www.procartonecmaaward.com), and after 19 September, the winners: with short videos and discussions of the jury on the individual categories, with print-ready photos, comments by the jury and success stories.