Following the release & announcement of the winners of the 2008 Scovie Awards, the following email was sent to everyone that entered….
Dear Scovie Awards Competitor:
With 783 entries into the 2008 Scovie Awards Competition, any win in any category is a big deal””but there are many more products that didn’t place in the top three in a category. If your product finished first in a Scovie category, wouldn’t you want to know how many other entries you beat? On the other hand, if your product finished dead last in a Scovie Awards category with 30 entries, wouldn’t you want to know that sad fact?
Wouldn’t you like to know the judges’ scores in the various tasting categories? Wouldn’t you like to know the comments made by the judges, even if they didn’t like your product? And wouldn’t you like to have your product packaging evaluated by an advertising professional?
The Scovies are about product quality as evaluated by food professionals, not about personal egos, so how your product placed in a category will give you much needed feedback on how your product should be competing in the marketplace. Sunbelt Shows is now offering this valuable information to our 2008 Scovie Awards competitors.
Here is the Scovie Placement and Product Evaluation Report information you will receive via email or fax:
–Product name
–Company name
–Category entered
–Number of entries into Category
–Placement of Product in the Category
–Average scores of your product as compared to perfect scores from the judges in the main judging categories:
–Appearance
–Aroma
–Texture
–Spice Blend
–Originality
–Flavor
–Overall Impression
–Comments from judges, if any (they only make comments when they really like or really dislike a product)–Packaging Evaluation from professionally shot photo we take of your entries. (If for any reason we don’t have your product photos, you must supply them.)
Cost: $65 per product report, payable in advance by credit card or check.
To view a sample report, go here:
http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave2/scovie_analysis.asp
Granted – you do get a professional photo of your product – which for some is a nice value add, but $65 for a product review??? On top of the entry fee that has to be paid for each product entered? Ouch.
To quote one of the many angry emails I’ve received on this topic since yesterday: “It also smacks in the face of collegiality — the concept that we are all in this together, the selling of hot and fiery foods to the general public.”
Thoughts??
43 responses to “The Scovie Awards Placement and Product Evaluation Report”
LOl – that’s funny stuff. $65 for stuff they already have, on top of the entry fees you paid already. Crap like this is why I didnt enter this year…
Also…. I think NO ONE should buy this. That will show them how ridiculous this really is.
DeWitt’s master plan to suck the money out of your hands some more…I cancelled his magazine; out of 35 pages; 17 were ads for his crap.
Hopefully manufacturers can make the trip to Jungle Jim’s for that show; and make that show the industry’s largest and most respected.
[Comment ID #117188 Quote]
Ditto! What a rip off.
Dave must be planning another trip. Jungle Jim’s sounds good !
Just another reason why we don’t enter the scovies.
You’d think such a basic service would be a part of the already *very* expensive entry fees! For what a booth costs, you’d also think a ‘courtesy’ entry would come with the booth. Never a chance is missed to get a few more bucks 😉
[Comment ID #117188 Quote]
THANK YOU I WILL DO MY BEST. ALSO I HOPE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS. WHY I WILL NOT DO THIS TYPE OF AWARDS. TO KEEP THE COST DOWN TO THE VENDORS.
[Comment ID #117200 Quote]
Bret how much space is available nad what is the date for next year? I would really like to be there.
I was really considering this. I would like to know, but the price, an email from someone I truly respect as an authority in the chile head world, and a serious a$$ chewing from my wife all add up to not a single cent more of hard earned money going toward the Scovies. I will try to do the FFS in 2009 however.
[Comment ID #117219 Quote]
I should be up and running 1st of the year. The show is set for the 1st weekend of Aug.
And I will be getting back to all vendors real soon. But I have to get thru the Holidays at the store 1st.
[Comment ID #117226 Quote]
Bret make sure I’m on that list buddy! I’m looking forward to JJ’s next year!
Now, when I got this e-mail about the product reports I was kind of interested. But then I saw the added price of $65 per item! OUCH is right. If I wanted to see if they wrote something (no guarantee that the judge made any comments about your product, but you see the numerical scores) 8 products x $65 each = $520 on top of the $680 it cost initially to enter the Scovies in the first place. Thankfully I did win a Scovie again this year. On top of that if I want the ad in the printed issue, that’s another $300.
520+680+300=$1500
That’s a small batch of one of my products I could be making to sell.
How does one figure out the worth of the exposure the Scovies gives your product?!? I’ve spoken to people who are impressed by the awards and buy my product, then there are people who couldn’t care less that I’ve won awards and won’t buy my product either way.
Catch 22 as far as I can tell…
[Comment ID #117199 Quote]
Booths are $100 more this coming year (2008)! Don’t forget that Jim.
[Comment ID #117230 Quote]
I won the 1st annual NC hot sauce this year and have noticed a decline in sales. Go figure.
Sam you not going to FF next year? Am i reading that right?
[Comment ID #117250 Quote]
We will be at FFS for 08, but plan on being an exhibitor in 09, No booth space left for 08. You kidding? I wouldn’t miss the spectacle of you barking at all the pretty ladies for Big Dawg!
[Comment ID #117259 Quote]
Makes me hate the Cowboys even more. 🙁 (whines)
[Comment ID #117260 Quote]
Ah Buddha….I feel sorry for even thinking about walking by Big Dawg’s Booth!
[Comment ID #117200 Quote]
Hey Bret,
When you have some time can you send me some info on your event? Even though I am in California would love to head down your direction and support your show. Could make it an adventure spreading hot sauce love all along the way!
Peace,
Rob
http://www.scorpionbayhotsauce.com
Thanks for reminding me Sam…I can’t wait!
This is not cool. I’m happy for the Scovie winners, but we chose not to participate as well and most likely won’t next year. We would rather spend the money on new product development.
Grab the pitchforks and torches!
I might bite people at the Big Dawg booth as well.
I don’t get it. Isn’t this something that belongs in the Boiler Room under the manufacturer heading?
Well, since it isn’t, I’m gonna offer my two pennies of thought on the subject.
From what I can read, this seems to be an offered option and not a requirement. With that said, what the hell’s the big deal? If you don’t want it, don’t buy it. A service is being offered. If you can use it, then pay for it. If you can’t, then pass.
This comment by thak makes a good point.
[Comment ID #117188 Quote]
Sounds to me like ad sales have not been all that great lately necessitating the need to gain funds elsewhere. So thakswet, do you have an ad? That would be one less ad for Dewitt’s “crap” (as you put it) and more revenue from ad sales for Dewitt. Less “crap” for you to read. Might even make a buck or two for you as well. LOL!
This additional cost for additional services thing isn’t anything new. Hell, I can’t even get a good psychic reading online without having to pay extra for the “full” report. But it’s my choice. Will I benefit from making that choice? Maybe, maybe not. But hey, they sure as hell couldn’t provide that service in the first place if they gave away all of that juicy info. As long as there’s a service being offered and most importantly provided, then if it will benefit you, it should be worth whatever you have to pay to receive it. It’s marketing for crying out loud. Of course it’s ridiculous and expensive. Sheesh.
Anyway, that’s just my two cents. But I’m no manufacturer and this doesn’t have anything to do with me anyway. Which brings me back to the thinking that maybe this belongs in a manufacturer forum for discussion instead of up for public opinion.
[Comment ID #117312 Quote]
Good one Gildo.
[Comment ID #117315 Quote]
Well said Leroy, you are quite poignant for a winderlicker.
I don’t think this should be something on the main page of HSB either (slow news days I guess), but seeing as it is, here’s my 2 cents (3.5 cents USD)
I received this email, read it and deleted it, it didn’t enrage me or cause me to send angry emails to anyone, even though I do enjoy doing that from time to time. It made me laugh actually. It’s something that should be included in your entry fee IMO.
Fiery Foods and BBQ, Taste of the South, Chile Pepper Magazine, etc. are in it for the money, just like everyone else in the ad biz. You don’t have to opt in for anything, but for some, just the offer of an additional $65 can add insult to injury, especially if you didn’t win. You’re tempted to see why you did or didn’t win, oh I know, the mind wanders.
After the ZestFest wins, I received a call from Chile Pepper (our rep is a wonderful woman, no offence to her) congratulating me and to tell me about their “Winner’s Circle” ads in the middle of the magazine. I was under the impression that being a winner garnered me a spot in the “Winner’s Circle” pages. It sure did, for $500 USD (don’t quote me on that number). WTF? I paid hundreds on entry fees and then when I do win, I’m expected to pay more to let people know about it. Shouldn’t that be included if I win? Why should I have to pay more? Because that’s just how it is.
All in all, I’m torn as to the value of the awards (value to me that is), it’s quite obvious that the awards hold a great revenue value to the host of the events.
Having seen who entered this year’s Scovie’s and for that matter who DIDN’T enter really opened my eyes.
As for going to shows, we’ve decided to forego the New Mexico show and have our sights set on JJ’s Weekend of Fire. There’s a better vibe in Ohio it seems, and plus me and Bret can compare bellies. Fingers crossed, we’re hoping it will happen.
[Comment ID #117319 Quote]
HANG ON. I NEED TO GO PUT UP THE WECOME SIGN.LOL
Thanks Uncle Big. Between Bret and DK, you woud think I couldn’t wipe my own……….Hey, uncle Big, you got any dogs?
[Comment ID #117325 Quote]
Heel boy! Heel! Nope, no dogs, just a pain in the azz cat named Spencer. Interested?
[Comment ID #117324 Quote]
Just make sure you’ve got lots of Diet Coke on ice there big boy!!
“As for going to shows, we’ve decided to forego the New Mexico show and have our sights set on JJ’s Weekend of Fire. There’s a better vibe in Ohio it seems, and plus me and Bret can compare bellies. Fingers crossed, we’re hoping it will happen.”
You can always stop by our booth for quick tan. 🙂
[Comment ID #117330 Quote]
So, you’re saying I should bring my Speedo? No problem. Ask and ye shall receive.
[Comment ID #117331 Quote]
😯
My Eyes… their burning
[Comment ID #117332 Quote]
You love it…admit it!
[Comment ID #117333 Quote]
😳
You caught me
watch out huv – maybe he will have a TaiChi class too 😉
[Comment ID #117336 Quote]
LOL – you’re back still is hurint , isn’t it 😉
Man, I need to use spell check – HURTING…..
Tai Chi is a no brainer, it’s gotta happen.
3.5 cents USD! Nice one Big!
[Comment ID #117337 Quote]
Ahhhh, it WAS all better 🙂
[Comment ID #117339 Quote]
Uh oh, come on huv
Sam, I owe you an email.
Give me a couple of days, I’m still catching up from the weekend.
I have 247 emails to work through. Most of which are about investing OEM Software money in my enlarged penis, or something like that. I’ve only skimmed so far.
[Comment ID #117336 Quote]
Hey ChrisK FTB, long time there stranger, how are you doing? Still behavin here. Nice to see ya.