Local Website Makes National Innovation List

innernorth.com.au
26 April 2009

Hamilton based property website, ApartmentReviews.com.au, has been recognised as one of Australia's most innovative services. The website was ranked 29th in the inaugural Smart 100 index released by Australian Anthill Magazine this month.

The website lists apartment buildings from all over Australia, including a number of inner northern developments such as those at Portside. Users are able to view details about apartment complexes and leave reviews and ratings based on factors such as quality, security, parking and facilities.

Established in 2006, the site has enjoyed strong growth over that time and remains Australia's largest online apartment resource. The site's popularity is hardly surprising given that it's the only one of its kind in Australia, and inclusion in the Smart 100 list further confirms its place as one of the country's most useful and innovative property websites.

Other innovations include a revolutionary breast cancer detection test which was named number one on the list, as well as household names such as Sumo Salads, Crust Gourmet Pizza for their Heart Foundation Tick approved pizzas, and Vodafone Australia.

Leading business magazine Australian Anthill and market research leader Colmar Brunton joined forces to create the 'Smart 100', Australia's largest and most democratic innovation awards. The Awards process spanned over six months and harnessed the power of 1,600 mavens identified by Colmar Brunton to judge the 861 products entered.

"The SMART 100 aims to bring a greater commercial focus to the concept of innovation, returning ownership of the principles surrounding this important word to the private sector," said James Tuckerman, Founder and Publisher of Anthill Magazine and founder of the 'SMART 100' Index. "Most awards rely on the expertise of a select few. The inaugural 'SMART 100' employed the knowledge and opinions of over 1,600 'maven' judges."

The Smart 100 contains representatives from a broad range of industries, proving that Australia has a diverse and robust talent for innovation. Industries represented include medicine and bio-technology, sport, energy, occupational health and safety, textiles, telecommunications, education, art and the environment.

"The word 'innovation' means many things to many people. In fact, it is so over-used it is in danger of losing its meaning… and relevance," said Tuckerman. "As a nation, we are facing new challenges. New ideas are needed to fuel new industries for Australia to remain internationally competitive. The 'SMART 100' Index is not just about unearthing these innovations. It is also about market testing the ideas by putting them under the scrutiny of people with a unique ability to gauge their future success."

The 'SMART 100' aims to bring a greater commercial focus to the concept of innovation, returning ownership of the principles surrounding this important word to the private sector.

What is Anthill Magazine?

Anthill is one of Australia's leading business magazines and online communities. It is dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship and the commercial development of Australian ideas. Anthill is distributed nationally through over 1,200 newsagents, via subscription and through its recently re-launched website www.anthillonline.com.

Who is Colmar Brunton?

Colmar Brunton is one of Australia's largest market research agencies, with offices in Singapore and every mainland state of Australia. Colmar Brunton stays at the forefront of technology by embracing new ways to gain greater insights from research. Colmar Brunton and Anthill have partnered in the development of a new methodology that combines traditional measures with new technologies and crowdsourcing techniques.