The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) is now accepting nominations for its seventh annual Cosmetic Innovators of The Year – CITY Awards. These awards honor the year’s most innovative products, packaging, and advertising/marketing concepts from the past year. Entrepreneurial beauty companies looking to be recognized for their innovative efforts are encouraged to enroll, and with this honor, companies will receive an invaluable gateway to building brand awareness. Past CITY Award winners included: IT Cosmetics, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics and Clarisonic. To be eligible for a CITY Award, the nominated company must follow the criteria established for each award category. All products must have first shipped, and marketing and advertising programs initiated, between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2012. Professionals within the beauty industry specializing in advertising, sales, and marketing will judge the entries. A panel’s expert and impartial vote will ensure that all entrants will be given a fair chance of winning. All entries are due by April 15, 2012.

In addition to the recognition of winning a respected CITY Award, the winners will also be a part of the first-ever CITY 2012 Beauty Trunk Show. This all-new initiative will give winners a platform to display their award-winning products at national indie retailers including: Ron Robinson’s, Apothia, Beauty.com, C.O. Bigelow, Henri Bendel and Skins 6|2.

“The CITY Awards celebrate the creativity, effort, and innovation shown by our member companies and their dedicated teams. These awards truly represent everything that makes the cosmetics business so dynamic,” says Pamela Busiek, chief executive officer and president of ICMAD.

Finalists for the CITY Awards will be announced in mid-May and the category winners will be revealed during ICMAD’s 39th annual meeting on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 (6:30 – 9:30p.m.) at the Manhattan Penthouse in New York. The special presenter for the awards will be Janet Gurwitch, creator of Laura Mercier Cosmetics. Ms. Gurwitch and Pam Busiek, CEO and President of ICMAD will present the thirteen winning awards that evening. For more information about the CITY Awards, product submission / criteria, and award dinner, see www.icmad.org or contact Marilyn Mages at 800-334-2623 / [email protected].