YNOT – The pre-nomination process for the 2011 “O” Awards opened Monday morning. The process will continue through Friday, June 3.

The “O” Awards, created by AVN Media Network, honor outstanding achievement in the pleasure products industry. Categories include design, innovation, marketing, distribution and retailing. To be considered for an “O” Award, products must have been released between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011.

“Now in their third year, the ‘O’ Awards have become a coveted symbol of excellence among manufacturers, distributors and retailers,” said Sherri L. Shaulis, senior editor for pleasure products at adult industry trade journal AVN. “We are really excited about this year’s ceremony, which has a new category — Outstanding Product Debut — and a new voting process. For the first time ever, registered attendees of the AVN Novelty Expo will be able to help choose some of the winners.”

To submit a product or company for consideration, email the following information to OPrenom@AVN.com:

For products: category, product and manufacturer names and website or contact email address, plus nominator’s name and contact information for verification.

For companies: category, company name and website or contact email address, plus nominator’s name and contact information for verification.

For retailers: category, retailer name and website or contact email address, plus nominator’s name and contact information for verification.

Pre-nominations will not be accepted in two categories: Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Product Debut. The Lifetime Achievement recipient is chosen by a panel of industry professionals. The Outstanding Product Debut category is reserved for companies that launch new products at the AVN Novelty Expo, scheduled to take place July 7-9 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif.

The 2011 “O” Awards ceremony will honor the best of the best in 17 categories:

• Outstanding Product Design for Women
• Outstanding Product Design for Men
• Outstanding Supplement or Enhancer
• Outstanding Innovation
• Outstanding Lube, Lotion or Potion
• Outstanding Non-Powered Product
• Outstanding Powered Product
• Outstanding Apparel or Accessory Brand
• Outstanding Marketing Campaign
• Outstanding Packaging
• Outstanding Boutique
• Outstanding Retail Chain
• Outstanding Online Retailer
• Outstanding Distributor East/West
• Outstanding Debut Product
• Lifetime Achievement

Winners in each category will be announced at the third annual “O” Awards on July 8, as part of the novelty expo. All registered attendees of ANE may attend the “O” Awards ceremony for free.

ANE booth space is available. For details about the show or to book a booth, contact Sara Harter by email or call 818-718-5788, ext. 109. To register to attend ANE, email buyers@avn.com.