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Media Release: October 8, 2004
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE VEUVE CLICQUOT AWARD
“We are seeking an Australian woman of vision ... innovative and tenacious ... a risk taker ... a leader ... a woman who has broken new ground and achieved extraordinary success in business ... a woman who exemplifies the values of Madame Clicquot, a forward thinking, entrepreneurial woman ahead of her times.”
Cécile Bonnefond, President of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, today announced the reintroduction of The Veuve Clicquot Award to Australia, with nominations opening tomorrow.
The prestigious global award was launched in France in 1972. It now recognises female achievers in business and industry in 17 countries and its recipients include the women behind many international brand names such as Anita Roddick OBE, founder of The Body Shop.
As well as the honour of winning the coveted award, the prize package for the successful Australian candidate includes return business class tickets to France to attend the Annual Veuve Clicquot Businesswomen’s meeting next June, along with past and present laureates from other countries.
The person who nominates the successful candidate will receive 12 magnums of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut. Nominations close on November 30 and the winner will be announced at a presentation luncheon Sydney next March.
Cécile Bonnefond, who is the first female President and CEO of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin since Madame Clicquot’s era, will visit Australia to present the Award.
“If we could bottle the extraordinary qualities of Madame Clicquot, that is the woman we are looking for: an entrepreneur, with proven success in business, daring and innovative in many ways, determined in changing the rules of the game, in short a real leader,” she said. “If you think you know the winner, we invite you to nominate her. She can come from anywhere in Australia and it does not matter if her business is global or national. While she may operate, lead and influence in the corporate world, she more probably runs her own entrepreneurial business, created, acquired or inherited and then developed under her lead.”
Leading Australian businesswoman Janet Holmes à Court, a previous winner of The Veuve Clicquot Award, is a member of the judging panel.
“We are looking for a woman who truly embraces the ideals and values of Madame Clicquot,” she said. “I am proud that there are many women in Australia who fill that criteria and I think that judging the award will be almost tougher than winning it! While we’ve come a long way since Madame Clicquot’s day, in many ways it’s still a ‘man’s world’ and the women who break through the proverbial ‘glass ceiling’ to reach the top are a rare and special breed. I am thrilled to be involved and delighted the award has been reintroduced to Australia to honour the initiative, drive and business acumen of our female entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.”
The fact The Veuve Clicquot Award is global adds to its prestige and makes it one of the most coveted to win, according to Holmes à Court.
“To win this award is not only a great honour, but also a valuable chance to mix with other winners, both past and present,” she said. “Opportunities for such powerful and successful women to come together from all corners of the world are very rare and, to me, that is the most important element of the ‘prize’. Of course, the fact this ‘gettogether’ happens in France, in the environment where Madame Clicquot built her empire and the foundations for her extraordinary legacy, is particularly special.”
Janet Holmes à Court will be joined on the judging panel by Federal Court judge The Hon. Justice Annabelle Bennett; Editor and Publisher of the Financial Times Asia, John Ridding; Executive Director of Paspaley Pearls Pty Ltd, Marilynne Paspaley; PBL Director of Corporate Relations and Events Deeta Colvin; Managing Director of Myer, Dawn Robertson; and on behalf of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Robert Remnant.
Robert Remnant, Chief Executive of Veuve Clicquot’s newly formed local subsidiary, said the company’s commitment to the Australian market has paved the way for the reintroduction of the award to Australia.
“We regard the award as recognition at the highest level and expect its reintroduction to attract significant interest this year,” he said. “In the long-term, we are committed to fostering it as Australia’s most prestigious award to honour outstanding female achievement in business.”
Madame Clicquot (1777-1866) was arguably the world’s first female entrepreneur. Born Nicole-Barbe Ponsardin, she married François Clicquot in 1798. Widowed at the age of 27, she took control of her husband’s champagne business. At its helm, she defied convention and embraced innovation. With her trademark style, tenacity and commitment to perfection, ‘La Veuve’ built an empire, a legacy and a reputation as “La Grande Dame de la Champagne”. Her motto ‘only one quality, the finest’ remains the standard of the world-famous champagne house. Madame Clicquot was clever, bold, dynamic, imaginative and adventurous. She was a respected leader, an astute businesswomen and a risk-taker. In an era when Europe was torn by war, she fought to ship her wines throughout the world – including to Russia, in defiance of the Napoleonic trade blockade – and her champagne toasted celebrations in all the great courts of Europe. She bought parcels in the best vineyards; fought actively against counterfeiters and changed the way champagne is produced by inventing the clarifying process of riddling which is still used by the great champagne houses today. She was a loving and generous mother who placed great importance on achieving balance between her work and her personal life. Madame Clicquot “never left Reims, but she conquered the world”. She died in 1866, aged 89, but remains an inspiration and role model to women around the world.
Visit www.veuveclicquotaward.com.au for nomination forms and further information.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES OR TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS, PLEASE CONTACT
Mary-Anne Dibbs – 0419 288 102 or Naomi Parry – 0411 623 423
Black Communications – 02 9211 1177
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