The Point Of Purchase division of Gigantic Signs has won both National and International acclaim for its creative designs and technical expertise. Award credits include…….

  • “Permanent Display of the Year” – San Francisco
  • “Platinum Global Award” – Chicago
  • “Gold” – Outstanding Merchandising Achievement Award (OMA) – New York
  • “Bronze” – Outstanding Merchandising Technical Merit – New York
  • “Best of Industry Technical Award – Sydney
  • “Silver” – OMA – Sydney
  • “Best of Industry Permanent Award – Sydney
  • “Bronze” – OMA – Sydney

The coveted award of Permanent Display of the Year had its beginnings in New York during the annual Point-Of-Purchase Advertising Institute (POPAI) Outstanding Merchandising Achievement (OMA) Awards Competition, winning the only Gold OMA in the ‘Beverages – Liquor’ section for its “Wild Turkey” floor display.

The brief was to provide a Wild Turkey Display stand to increase sales in premier bottle shops and selected liquor outlets. The theme of ‘Too Good to Keep Cooped up’ had to be portrayed in the design of the stand.

The following set of criteria were to be observed:

  1. The stand had to openly display four dozen bottles of product.
  2. Each stand had to be packed in a Knock Down form for easy transportation.
  3. Construction of the stand on site in the liquor outlet, had to be a quick and easy process for the sales rep.
  4. It was desired that the stand be assembled without the use of any tools – screwdrivers, spanners, drills etc.
  5. The stand had to look “rustic” and made to appear as a “cage” from which a Turkey had broken loose.

In the 19 different sections, a total of 44 gold OMA’s were awarded from over 1,200 entries.

Having won Gold in New York, this entry earned the right to be judged in the “Display of the Year” competition, together with other Gold winners from all 19 categories. The Display of the Year is the most prestigious and most sought after prize in the Point-Of-Purchase industry as it acknowledges superior design, creative use of materials, excellence in manufacture and the ability to generate sales for the product it displays – it sets a precedent for all POP displays.

In San Francisco, during the 1998 Annual POP Industry Conference, on January 24th, in the ballroom of the Sheraton Palace Hotel, Gigantic Signs was awarded Display of the Year for its Wild Turkey floor display.

“Winning this most sought after award, will open up export opportunities for us in South Australia.” said Peter King – Managing Director and head designer for Gigantic Signs, in his acceptance speech at the Sheraton Palace Hotel.

The winning permanent floor merchandising display was made for Wild Turkey bourbon and has generated dramatic increases in sales ranging from 300 – 500%. The “birdcage” like display features the slogan, “too good to keep cooped up” and carries four cases of product which is illuminated through a central light source. The structure incorporates laser cut and randomly “rusted” steel sheeting, aluminium tube bars and black melamine shelves.

Entries were judged on design, construction, creativity, use of retail space, ability to drive sales and overall, the ability to set merchandising and design precedents for today.

“Immediately following the award presentations I was approached by several different companies, interested in doing joint ventures to supply P.O.P. displays into the US marketplace.” said Mr King. “The Wild Turkey display is to be featured in the next issue of the US market-leading publication – POP Times.”

“The specially commissioned 400mm tall Baccarat crystal trophy, which now takes pride of place in the office of Gigantic Signs will serve as a timely reminder that South Australians can be proud of their creative and manufacturing skills anywhere in the world.” Mr King said.

Gigantic Signs are expert designers and manufacturers of Point Of Purchase (POP) displays products with particular expertise in the Beverages Liquor area. Our focus is NOT to create award winning displays. Our awards are a bi-product of producing great eye-catching displays the make money for our clients by engaging and enticing customers to select product from the displays.

Gigantic Signs are supporters and promoters of the benefits of the global organisation Point Of Purchase Advertising Industry (POPAI). POPAI serves members from both the POP display manufacture and product retail sectors. For more information about this organization, contact POPAI direct.

To find out more about the POPAI award program and how best to present your work, listen to this informative video presentation from POPAI