Entry for the Pentawards, the world’s leading and most prestigious packaging design competition, is now open. The awards return with an extended jury panel led by a new President, plus a new judging system. 

The packaging designers, design students, brand-owners and packaging producers who take part in the awards have the opportunity to compete with their creations against the brightest and the best the packaging world has to offer and on a truly global stage; last year there were 2,313 entries from 5 continents and 64 countries.

The Pentawards 2019 will be judged by an expanded International Jury Panel made up of 15 highly respected designers, packaging design directors and marketing chiefs from major global brands.

These include: Matthieu Aquino, Vice President Global Beverage & Brand Experience, PepsiCo USA; Chen Lu, MI Ecosystem – Design Director, Xiaomi in China; Yoji Minakuchi, Head of Design Department Suntory, Tokyo; Steve Honour, Design and Visual Identity Leader, Innovation, Europe & Africa, Diageo, UK; and José Antonio Rojano Lopez, Head of Packaging Communications, El Corte Inglés, Madrid. 

The judges bring with them years of experience, working across major brands and businesses including Vodafone, Disney, Diesel, Nescafé, Grupo Nutresa, Sanofi Aventis, Grupo Gloria, Postobon, SAB MILLER, Burger King, Always, Pampers, Oral B, Toblerone, Glenlivet, Kirin Beer, Lotte Sawa, Kettle Chips, Iyemon Green Tea and Gokuri to name just a few.

The panel is led by a new President, Creative Director at Bulletproof, Clem Halpin who says: "I’m truly honoured to have been chosen for such a prestigious position on the Pentawards jury panel. Being passed the President’s baton by Brigitte Evrard, I’ll have big boots to fill, but with a new strategic direction for the Pentawards and a more diverse global jury panel than ever, it’s an exciting challenge that I couldn’t refuse."

There are six main award categories to enter: Beverages, Body, Food, Luxury, Other Markets & Sustainable Design plus a Student Award and these are then split into 57 sub categories. The judging criteria are based on the packaging’s quality of design, brand expression, creativity and innovation plus the pack’s emotional connection with the end user.

New for this year, all entries, whether they win or not, will receive individual feedback from the international Jury, allowing entrants to understand the thinking behind the judges’ verdict. They will also be given a score of excellence, enabling entrants to benchmark their packs against the Global Pentawards Standards which have been set for bronze, silver and gold award winners.

The successful entrants receive bronze, silver, gold and platinum Pentawards while the ‘Best of the Show’ will receive the unique Diamond Pentaward. The trophies will be awarded at a prestigious ceremony on 12 September at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London.

This event will host hundreds of designers from around the world, providing a unique opportunity for participants to meet and exchange ideas with the cream of the global packaging industry. The winners will also be showcased at events around the world and discussed at conferences – putting the designs and their creators on a global platform.

Adam Ryan, Project Manager at The Pentawards, comments: “Now in our 13^th year, there has never been a better time to enter The Pentawards. They’re recognised and respected all over the world.  Plus with every single entrant receiving feedback and a score of excellence, from a global panel of experts – who are all working at the top of their game – it’s an incredible opportunity for designers, design students, packaging producers and brand owners to showcase their work and get global attention they deserve.” 

Entry for The Pentawards 2019 runs from 25^th February to 12^th April, with early-bird entry closing on 3^rd March. For further information, visit the website (http://www.pentawards.org/) or via the show team on +44 (0)203 196 4424 or [email protected].