The Drinks Business Awards 2024: open for entries

• Man of the Year

• Are you the Man of the Year? Has your contribution to our industry over the last 12 months set you apart from the rest? Judges will be looking for unparalleled leadership, business acumen, and/or major deal broking success. This award may also recognise outstanding contribution to the industry as a whole.

• Woman of the Year

• Are you the Woman of the Year? Has your contribution to our industry over the last 12 months set you apart from the rest? Judges will be looking for unparalleled leadership, business acumen, and/or major deal broking success. This award may also recognise outstanding contribution to the industry as a whole.

• Young Achiever of the Year

• Are you on a meteoric rise to the top of your game? You must be under 35 and have delivered beyond what is humanly possible this year. If so, then you could be the db Young Achiever of the Year.

• Retail Buyer of the Year

• This award goes to the retail buyer who has done the most in the last 12 months to push the boundaries in wine (or spirits) retailing, promoted quality throughout the range and innovated within the category or area of buying for which they are responsible.
  Whether leading a team or in charge of a specific area, from the multiple or the independent sector, this buyer will be respected for their negotiation skills, integrity and ability to spot quality and value.

• Retail Buying Team of the Year

• This award is for the retail buying team that has put their wine and spirit range on the map by striving for quality in their offer while meeting consumer needs. The judges will be looking for innovation within the range and the team’s commitment to green issues when it comes to sourcing and supply.

Business Awards

• Drinks Company of the Year (Wine, Spirits & Beer)

• This is the big one, coveted by one and all. Under scrutiny: your business development and diversification, sales/profit growth, employee management, new product development, market penetration, brand development and corporate responsibility… line up brand owners, agents and producers, it could be you!

• Logistics Company of the Year

• For those who think logistics is all about long-distance lorry drivers, bacon sarnies and bonded warehouses who won’t take your stock because it hasn’t got the correct AAD, think again! Judges will be looking for excellence in service for customers (trade or consumer). This may include direct mail, internet or traditional on-trade and off-trade premises; recognising reliability, flexibility, competitiveness and the ability to meet customers’ needs effectively. The greening of operations, with measurable evidence, is also key.

• Distribution Company of the Year

• This new category has been introduced to award the essential service provided by a UK domestic logistics and supply chain business. The award will recognise those companies who ensure reliable distribution within the UK for wines and spirits, regardless of their production source region or nation. This category is open to national and local distribution businesses.

• Supply Chain Initiative of the Year

• This award seeks to recognise a single initiative between a drinks company and its supplier(s) in the last year, which has delivered tangible benefits for both parties.

• PR Company of the Year (Wine, Spirits & Beer)

• Going to the public relations company whose work across the board or on a specific project pushed their clients product or image to the fore. This winning company will not only demonstrate its commitment to gaining coverage but will display new and challenging ways in which it has caught the attention of the trade or the consumer press.

• Multiple Retailer of the Year

• The winner of this award will have no equal and will define excellence in drinks retailing over the last year. You will have achieved significant sales growth in the UK or overseas and will have an impressive display of value and range for your customers.

• Online Retailer of the Year

• Do you know how to make the most of the world wide web? We’re looking for an online drinks operator who has a brilliant range, appealing site design, novel selling techniques and a loyal customer base. Judges will be looking for proof of profitable performance over the last 12 months and evidence of a growing database of repeat users.

• Independent Retailer of the Year

• This award recognises the best of those brave few who have gone it alone! Judges will be looking for tangible evidence of impeccable personal service and in-store innovation.

• Fine Wine Retailer of the Year

• This award recognises retailers who specialise in selling wines priced at £25+, both in-store and online.

• On-trade Supplier of the Year

• Judges will take into account the recommendation and opinion of customers and look for evidence in high standards of service, including flexibility and adaptability to the strains of the modern day restaurant and hotel business. They will also award on-trade suppliers on the quality of their range and pricing, plus attention to environmental issues in a high carbon impact business model.

Marketing Awards

• Best Design & Packaging (Wine, Spirits & Beer) – sponsored by O-I: Expressions

• Will your product design be remembered as an icon of the 21st century? The judges will be looking for innovation in artwork and packaging. You will have met and surpassed the brief and will have done it all within budget.

• Best Trade Campaign (Wine, Spirits & Beer)

• In-house or agency, you will have wowed the client with your creativity, innovation and execution and all within budget. Your advertising has dazzled, your PR has hit the spot, your events have inspired and your online marketing demonstrated resourcefulness and originality.

• Best Social Media Campaign

• Social Media is an essential part of virtually every successful marketing campaign and its importance shows no sign of diminishing. As a result, the drinks business has introduced a new category purely for marketing campaigns based on social media. Your entry can be based on a campaign that was solely built around social media activity, or you can highlight how social media formed a crucial part of a larger marketing campaign that used a range of promotional techniques. To succeed in this category please use figures to clearly illustrate the achievements of this campaign. Ideally, the entry should include a summary of the aims, the timeline, the costs, and, most importantly, the results, all expressed succinctly in an initial awards pitch.

• Best Drinks Event

• Trade and consumer events are an essential part of the drinks sector and, as a result, the drinks business has introduced a new category purely for events. This new category is designed to encompass a range of events, from annual tastings by companies or generics, to exhibitions, masterclasses or seminars. To succeed in this category please clearly illustrate what made your event successful. This should include an explanation of the initial concept, how it was planned and promoted, what it set out to achieve, before clearly stating the results. To help us ascertain the level of success, please include visitor numbers, attendee feedback and revenues generated. Ideally, the entry should include a summary of the aims, the timeline, the costs, and, most importantly, the results, all expressed succinctly in an initial awards pitch.

• Best Consumer Campaign (Wine, Spirits & Beer)

• Have you created the most eyecatching campaign of the year? Or have you had consumers fighting in the aisles for your campaign’s brands and inspired unprecedented customer brand loyalty with a super strategy and tangible results? Then you are a candidate for Best Consumer Campaign.

• Best Launch (Wine, Spirits & Beer)

• This award recognises both launches and re-launches. Judges expect distinction in PR, advertising, consumer research, revived design and packaging, as well as improved supply chain management and increased store listings.

• Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism

• As global interest in wine and spirits continues to grow there is a demand from consumers to combine their interest in wines and spirits with their holidays. This award recognises an outstanding achievement in creating a unique and compelling experience for customers wishing to encounter their favourite wines and spirits on their home terroir

• The Sparflex Award for Best English and Welsh Sparkling Wine Packaging

• This award will celebrate excellence and innovation in English and Welsh sparkling wine packaging. In association with the worlds leading producer of wirehoods for sparkling wine, Sparflex.