US: California Avocado Commission announces 2012 ad winners

Retailers are taking home prizes after competing in the California Avocado Commission’s 2012 Hand Grown in California Avocado advertising contest. CAC announced the winners of its 2012 retail ad contest, which ran during the peak of California avocado season from the week of May 15 through the week of September 12, and was designed to reward participating retailers for both the number of California ads and the California branding used in their avocado ads. Sprouts Farmers Markets took home a $1,500 value grand prize package of a Canon Eos Rebel T4i and additional prizes.

“We had excellent participation in the 2012 Retail Advertising Contest,” said Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for CAC. “As the California avocado season comes to its close it’s great to be able to show our appreciation to our retail partners who helped make our season a success.”

Participating retailers earned points for the number of California avocado ads they ran during the contest as well as bonus points for using the Hand Grown in California logo and running ads during select windows. Sprouts Farmers Markets in California earned the grand prize by accumulating the most points. Lucky Supermarkets in Northern California came in second place and joined Albertsons-SuperValu Southern California, Save Mart and Stater Bros. in earning the “level 3 prize” of an Apple iPad® 32GB ($600 value).

Nineteen retailers submitted entries. Winners of the “level 1” prize of a Kindle Fire® ($200 value) were Haggen, Thriftway, Top Food & Drug and Vallarta Supermarkets.

For more information please vis www.californiaavocado.com