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Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
BrandSpark and Newsweek Celebrate Brands Prevailing Amidst Economic Uncertainty
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. On a sunny rooftop in downtown Manhattan Wednesday, Newsweek partnered with BrandSpark, a research and consulting firm, to host a lively event recognizing the winners of its 2025 Best New Product Awards and its 2025 BrandSpark Most Trusted Brands Awards. "There's no bigger recognition you can earn than the approval of the consumer," Robert Levy, president and CEO of BrandSpark International, told attendees. "For almost two decades, we've made this consumer voice available to brands and products like yours to demonstrate your superiority in an increasingly crowded and competitive market." This year, BrandSpark recognized the most trusted brands across 284 categories, polling almost 30,000 shoppers across the nation and sorting over 162,000 brand evaluations. Between mingling with brand representatives and coordinating the evening's program, Levy told Newsweek in an exclusive interview that he's "always impressed by how the brands keep innovating" to further build trust with their consumers. Citing public concerns about economic uncertainty, Levy said trust and consumers' expectations are both changing. Fears of financial instability have lead consumers to cheaper alternatives or to find ways to save money, but Levy said consumers aren't yet ready to give up trying new products, so there's still room for marketers to win over consumers. Newsweek/BrandSpark Best New Product Awards at 75 Varick Street on June 4, 2025. Newsweek/BrandSpark Best New Product Awards at 75 Varick Street on June 4, 2025. Weston Kloefkorn "If they think it's worth it, they're still willing to pay a little more for a product," Levy said. "It's not only interesting to find out what makes a good product, but also how effective the marketers are at communicating the benefits [of their product] and why consumers should either try, switch or continue to be loyal." "A lot of the strong brands don't take anything for granted," he said. "The ones who are always on top, they keep innovating." Among the recipients of BrandSpark's 2025 Best New Product are the Hershey's and Reese's flavors of One Brands Protein Bars and Easy Healthcare Corporation's Premom Premium Prenatal Vitamins. Vanessa Solorzano, an associate brand manager at The Hershey Company, told Newsweek that a lot of cross-collaboration went into creating the protein bars, noting that it took many different teams to create a product that would usher some of America's most well-known flavors into the protein space. Cheeseburger sliders are passed around at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. Cheeseburger sliders are passed around at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. Weston Kloefkorn Natalie Roberts, director of business development at Easy Healthcare Corporation, also told Newsweek that the company was thrilled to receive the award for Premom because it "really helps to recognize our passion and commitment" in supporting women in "every step of their fertility journey." Guests sampled juicy cheeseburger sliders and mini grilled cheeses as servers passed around Aperol spritzes and gin cocktails during the networking reception. Over those refreshments, Suzanne Clerkin, chief marketing officer at Jiffy Lube, told Newsweek what an honor it was to be recognized as the most trusted oil and lube change service in the U.S. "Our service center employees are highly trained and dedicate every day to taking care of vehicles and to evolving our service offerings to meet the evolving vehicle needs," Clerkin said. Levy noted during his presentation that this year's award was a particularly impressive accomplishment for Jiffy Lube because brands in the service sector tend to be fragmented, leading to a lower trust share. From left to right: BrandSpark's Adam Bellisario, Kim Diamond Teperman and Robert Levy at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025.... From left to right: BrandSpark's Adam Bellisario, Kim Diamond Teperman and Robert Levy at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. More Weston Kloefkorn Clerkin attributed the Jiffy Lube's success to the company's efforts to leave "drivers in the driver's seat," plus the slate of offerings that make it easy for customers to receive free and instant online estimates, to locate centers to go for service and to stay updated on their vehicles through transparent service reviews. Aperol spritzes being made at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. Aperol spritzes being made at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. Weston Kloefkorn BIC's achievements as the most trusted lighters was also highlighted on Wednesday night. BIC received the highest trust share of any brand with 94 percent. "I'm honored to be here at the Most Trusted Brand Awards, accepting this recognition on behalf of BIC lighters," Jeany Mui, the company's director of marketing, told Newsweek. "Every BIC lighter undergoes more than 50 separate automatic quality checks during the manufacturing process. Safety and reliability are of the utmost importance. Trust is earned and we're proud to be a brand people rely on every day." Another major winner of the evening was Lysol, which was the top Most Trusted Brand in four categories: bathroom cleaner, disinfectant spray, laundry disinfectant and toilet bowl cleaner. Dominic Ruffolo, an associate brand manager at Reckitt Benkesier for Lysol Cleaners, told Newsweek, "This award means a lot to us, because at Lysol, we really care about what people think about our product. It's a lot about safety and really driving home how we disinfect and kill germs. "We have so much consumer testing to make sure that these products really work and deliver," Ruffolo said. "We don't just build trust overnight. We've been around for over 100 years. It's a business that we've built for a very long time and are continuing to deliver." Young-Soon Perry, staff scientist at The Hershey Company, left, and Vanessa Solorzano, associate brand manager at The Hershey Company, right, pose with their awards at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted... Young-Soon Perry, staff scientist at The Hershey Company, left, and Vanessa Solorzano, associate brand manager at The Hershey Company, right, pose with their awards at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. One Protein Bars' new Reese's and Hershey's flavors were recognized by BrandSpark as one of the best new products of 2025. More Weston Kloefkorn Melissa Clemance, vice president of brand for RE/MAX, also attended Wednesday's awards on behalf of the company, which was recognized as the most trusted real estate agency by BrandSpark this year. "Trust is definitely one of the highest factors that consumers look for when they're looking for a real estate agent," Clemance explained. "In the real estate category, there's been a lot of new entrants over the last five to 10 years," she continued. "I think that element of having trust attached to [RE/MAX] helps the whole brand hold so much more power overall, both to the consumer and what they can expect when they work with a RE/MAX agent, and also to the agents and the pride of being part of that brand." As the sun began to set on the Manhattan skyline, event attendees moved inside for presentations and a fireside chat between Levy and Newsweek's editor-in-chief, Jennifer H. Cunningham. Cunningham emphasized just how important trust is to every brand, including Newsweek and other media outlets and publications. "Trust means everything. Trust is the covenant between journalism and the consumer," Cunningham said. "If we don't have trust, we have nothing. You can have a Pulitzer Prize-winning piece of reporting, but if the readers don't trust you, no one's going to read your story." Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham at the 2025 Best New Product Awards and BrandSpark's Most Trusted Brands Awards Event in New York City on June 4, 2025. w She said that Newsweek has sought to re-engender trust among readers through initiatives like the publication's fairness meters. Cunningham revealed that of the over 2 million votes that have been cast on Newsweek's website, 70 percent have rated the magazine's content as fair. "Our centrist position is definitely by design. It's not by coincidence," Cunningham said. "We really want to be a platform for every ideological background, every person, every socioeconomic background, every location in the United States. We want to be a place where you will hear both sides." She said that this framework isn't applied just to the publication's politics coverage, but across the entire newsroom. To achieve this, she said the leadership team vigorously consumes content across every spectrum, while the reporters dedicate their time to original reporting that brings news "from the horse's mouth." Cunningham added that this also means bringing readers lists like BrandSpark's rankings. "Our audience is very much your audience, and I think what we both have in common is we're striving to give our consumer or our audience a very high quality product," she said. A product "that is well made, that people stand behind and that we want them to keep coming back to."
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Newsweek New & Noteworthy: Products You Need to Try (May 21, 2025)
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thomas' recently released new high protein bagels, Proactiv's got a treatment for redness, pimples and acne and Tate's Bake Shop launched delicious soft baked cookies. If you're searching for new products to try, we've got you covered. Newsweek's New & Noteworthy, in partnership with the Best New Product Awards, is a weekly editorial feature that helps consumers discover the latest and greatest products! This series covers food and beverages, personal care, beauty, household care, home goods, baby and kids, pets and so much more. Follow along as we spotlight the innovations shaping tomorrow's trends. Each week, we bring you a curated selection of new and innovative products, ensuring you're always in the know about what's fresh and exciting across a range of consumer categories. Stay ahead of the curve with our expert insights and find your next favorite product right here. In this week's edition, you'll also find new treats to try, snackable sandwiches, gut-building hydration powder and more. We hope you find something you love. Marketers looking to showcase their latest products can submit them for consideration by completing this form. Lunchables PB&J Lunchables PB&J. Lunchables PB&J. New & Noteworthy Snack time is made easy with Lunchables PB&J Peanut Butter Sandwich & Dip! Available in Grape or Strawberry flavors, these snackable sandwiches are ready to dip and eat right out of the fridge. Each snack kit includes two snack-sized crustless peanut butter sandwiches and grape dip and comes in a single-serve convenient package that offers portable eating. Buy Lunchables PB&J for $1.99. Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix. Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix. New & Noteworthy Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix combines a sweet and tangy cheesecake flavor with the soft, fluffy muffin texture consumers have come to love. The muffin base has warm notes of vanilla, cinnamon and honey to mimic the flavor profile of a traditional cheesecake crust. A luscious cheesecake filling pouch is included. Makers simply add water, oil and eggs. Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix has no artificial flavors. Buy Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix for $3.99. Thomas' High Protein Bagels Thomas' High Protein Bagels. Thomas' High Protein Bagels. New & Noteworthy New Thomas' High Protein Bagels are available in two flavors: Plain and Everything. They are made with a plant-based protein blend of soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate and fava bean proteins to ensure a complete amino acid profile and a deliciously satisfying texture. They are rolling out in stores now. Buy Thomas' High Protein Bagels at a local store near you. Tate's Bake Shop Soft Baked Cookies Tate's Bake Shop Soft Baked Cookies. Tate's Bake Shop Soft Baked Cookies. New & Noteworthy Tate's Bake Shop has released soft, chewy and delicious cookies in two indulgent flavors: Chocolate Chip and Dark Chocolate Chunk! Certified kosher, these soft-baked snack cookies are made with real, high-quality ingredients and offer a satisfyingly chewy texture for a unique twist on Tate's crispy cookies. Buy Tate's Bake Shop Soft Baked Cookies for $4.97. Skintimate 2 in 1 Shave Oil Skintimate 2 in 1 Shave Oil. Skintimate 2 in 1 Shave Oil. New & Noteworthy Skintimate's 2 in 1 Shave Oils are made with aloe, vitamin E and shea, moisturizing and softening skin. These oils allow your razor to glide effortlessly over the skin for a comfortable and sleek shave for smooth and soft skin. Leave it on and rub it in after your shave routine as a hydrating after-shave oil to soothe your skin and reveal your glowing, radiant skin. It's available in Coconut Bliss and Fragrance Free. Buy Skintimate 2 in 1 Shave Oil for $7.99. Reese's Filled Pretzels Reese's Filled Pretzels. Reese's Filled Pretzels. New & Noteworthy Reese's Filled Pretzels provide a satisfying crunch and creamy peanut butter flavor with each nugget. They are perfect for kid's school snacks, a break between video calls or snacking at home. They are available in three sizes: 5-ounce bags, 9-ounce pouches and 18-ounce jars. Buy Reese's Filled Pretzels for $5.19. Proactiv Redness Correcting Spot Treatment Proactiv Redness Correcting Spot Treatment. Proactiv Redness Correcting Spot Treatment. New & Noteworthy Proactiv's Redness Correcting Treatment helps correct redness while also treating pimples and acne. It combines acne-fighting salicylic acid with skin-nourishing ingredients to calm irritated skin. Buy Proactiv Redness Correcting Spot Treatment for $22.00. Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Chocolate Caramel Brownie Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Chocolate Caramel Brownie. Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Chocolate Caramel Brownie. New & Noteworthy Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Non-Dairy frozen dessert is certified vegan, with salted caramel swirls, almond toffee pieces and fudge brownies. Where salty meets sweet and chunk meets swirl! Buy Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Chocolate Caramel Brownie for $4.68. Superbelly Mango Passionfruit blume Superbelly Mango Passionfruit. blume Superbelly Mango Passionfruit. New & Noteworthy Blume's Superbelly is a refresher that gently hydrates with superfoods like inulin fiber, fermented apple cider vinegar and clinically studied probiotics which contribute to a healthy gut flora. It is now available in Mango Passionfruit! Buy Superbelly Mango Passionfruit for $32.00. Jif Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread Jif Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread. Jif Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread. New & Noteworthy Jif's Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread combines the creamy, peanutty goodness of Jif peanut butter with the sweetness of a chocolate-flavored spread. It contains 50 percent less sugar than the leading hazelnut spread with cocoa. Buy Jif Peanut Butter & Chocolate Flavored Spread for $3.64. Written permission from Best New Product Awards Inc. is required to use the New & Noteworthy, Best New Product or Newsweek logos. Have any questions? Contact Kim Diamond at kdiamond@ Newsweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Globe and Mail
25-02-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Specialty Coffee Expo to Feature the World Coffee Roasting Championship During Flagship Event April 25-27 In Houston, TX
Other Competitions Include Coffee Design Awards and Best New Product Awards HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2025 / For the first time, The World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC), the only world coffee competition in North America in 2025, will be held at the Specialty Coffee Expo taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, from April 25 to 27, 2025. The WCRC which began in Nice, France in 2013 with 11 champions/representatives, celebrates excellence in coffee roasting, evaluating competitors on their skills in coffee evaluation, preparation, blending, and roasting. In 2025, the championship is set to reach new heights, with participation from up to 28 Competition Bodies from across the globe, making it the largest championship to date. In the World Coffee Roasting Championship, sponsored by Stronghold Technology, Inc., Official Production Roaster, competitors are judged on their ability to create and execute roast plans using provided green coffee. Competitors showcase their skills through sample roasting, the open cupping process, and their ability to deliver their target roast profile by completing a modified SCA Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) Descriptive Assessment. Judges evaluate accuracy through competitors' self-assessments and conduct double-blind sensory tests across multiple categories. For full details and rules, click here. "We are thrilled to be hosting the World Coffee Roasting Championship at our trade show in Houston, Texas, in April. This exciting three-day international competition is where attendees can witness dozens of elite roasters compete for the championship title. We look forward to crowning the winner on Sunday, April 27, the final day of the Specialty Coffee Expo," said Yannis Apostolopoulos CEO, The Specialty Coffee Association. "Our broader mission is dedicated to uniting coffee professionals from across the globe to make coffee better. Through events like the World Coffee Roasting Championship and the Specialty Coffee Expo, we provide platforms that inspire, engage, and elevate the entire coffee community," Apostolopoulos added. "Coffee roasting remains a mystery to many, with roasters working behind the scenes to create magic. The World Coffee Roasting Championship offers a rare moment in the spotlight, bringing together professionals and enthusiasts alike. As a woman in a male-dominated field, it's inspiring to see others encouraged to roast and compete. Beyond competition, the true beauty lies in our community-supporting and uplifting one another," said Diana Johnston, SCAUK Coffee Roasting Champion, 2019 & 2023, WCRC 2023 Competitor, Roaster & Coffee Professional, Owner Roastersaurus. In addition to the WCRC, attendees discover new products and innovations through the Coffee Design Awards and Best New Product Awards. The deadline for submissions for both programs is March 3, 2025. The Coffee Design Awards celebrate this effort through three key categories: coffee spaces, packaging, and branding. To submit a design for the 2025 Coffee Design Awards click here by the Entry Deadline: March 3, 2025. The Coffee Design Awards Branding is about recognizing the brands, identities, and visual environments that companies in coffee use to stand out. The Coffee Design Awards Packaging identifies some of the most compelling coffee packaging designs that look beyond brand adherence from the past year. The Coffee Design Awards Spaces showcases places for making, teaching, and serving coffee. The Best New Product Awards are the ultimate celebration of innovation in the specialty coffee and tea industry! This award program recognizes quality and innovation in coffee and tea. To submit a product for consideration for the best new product, a company must exhibit at the Specialty Coffee Expo. Click here by the Entry Deadline: March 3, 2025. The Specialty Coffee Expo, produced by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), will welcome more than 17,000 attendees from 85 countries, showcasing the best in coffee innovation, culture, and sustainability as well as networking opportunities that support commerce and trade . The Specialty Coffee Expo is proudly supported by Title Sponsor Middleby Coffee Solutions Group, Diamond Sponsor Sanremo Coffee Machines and Platinum Sponsor Pacific Barista Series. Peru will be featured as the Portrait Country, bringing a focus on Peruvian coffee, unique cultural activations, and a pop-up café experience. The expansive Exhibition Hall will feature 600 exhibiting companies offering the industry's most innovative and cutting-edge coffee products. Coffee professionals representing the entire value chain including roasters, retailers, buyers, producers, wholesalers, equipment manufacturers, baristas and more will have the opportunity to learn about integrating specialty coffee into their existing business plans and make purchasing decisions face-to-ace on the show floor. Registration for the Specialty Coffee Expo is now open at Register before March 15, 2025 for early bird discounts. All SCA members receive a discount on registration. For sponsorship, exhibitor, or registration inquiries, email info@ or visit Specialty Coffee Expo. About the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the largest global coffee trade association dedicated to making coffee better by fostering a global coffee community and supporting activities to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable endeavor for the entire value chain. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, it supports the industry through research, standards, education, and events. Working around the world, the SCA elevates worldwide standards, providing value and connectivity to the growing global community. To sponsor and support the Specialty Coffee Expo and the continued work of the SCA, contact sponsorship@ To learn more, visit or follow @specialtycoffeeassociation on social media. About The World Coffee Championships (WCC) The WCC showcase excellence in specialty coffee preparation, and distinction through seven annual competitions with participation from more than 50 Competition Bodies globally. The WCCs are produced by the Specialty Coffee Association and hosted at trade shows annually. The premier competitions include the World Barista Championship, World Cup Tasters Championship, World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, World Brewers Cup, World Coffee Roasting Championship, and the Cezve/Ibrik Championship, and show features such as the popular WCC brew bars. Other World Coffee Championships will follow in 2025 with the World Brewers Cup at World of Coffee Jakarta (May 15 - 17, 2025), the World Cup Tasters Championship, World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, and Ibrik/Cezve/Ibrik Championship at World of Coffee Geneva (June 26 - 28, 2025), and the World Barista Championship at HostMilano (October 17-21, 2025). # # # View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
