Thousands of creative works from all over the world were submitted for the international contest, confirming the strong global appeal of the Marlene® brand: illustrations, recipes, poems and pieces of music inspired by the daughter of the Alps and the values the brand has embodied for three decades.

In fact, the competition transformed Marlene® into a genuine inspirational muse, actively involving the international creative community and enabling participants to play the lead role in a creative journey, communicating the origin, the variety, the seasons, the flavours and the emotions evoked by the apple in one of four categories: literature, music, visual and culinary arts. Up for grabs for the winners were exclusive experiences in Gallo Rosso farmhouses in the heart of South Tyrol - Südtirol, designed to strengthen their direct bond with the supply chain, the region and the brand’s system of values.

The works displayed a strong narrative consistency with the positioning of Marlene®, combining the region, the seasons, the product range and sustainability with personal experiences and contemporary interpretations of the brand.

Overall winner was the Italian Ida Eugenia Scalia with her illustration “Le mie Marlene®”: a journey through the seasons and the emotions, inspired by the idea that apples are not merely fruits but reflections of the universal soul, fragments of life. The artist represents a gentle yet profound metaphor that can be applied to every living thing on the planet; a work that symbolises authenticity and natural beauty, in which every apple represents a season, a key chapter in our lives. Winner of the visual arts category was “Naturaleza viva” by the Spanish Marian Virginia Fernández Prado, a digital work inspired by the idea of nature as an inexhaustible source of creation but also by the legacy of Cézanne, who saw apples as a universe unto themselves. Prado combines geometric patterns with colours to elevate the apple to a symbol of abundance, purity, strength and renewal, where femininity and nature merge together in harmony. The culinary arts category was also won by a Spaniard, Gabriel Felipe Cruz Zúñiga triumphing with “Manzanas en alturas”, a dessert inspired by the mountains in which Marlene® apples are grown and laced with his childhood memories. In addition to a holiday in South Tyrol - Südtirol, catering school student Zúñiga also won an exclusive internship with chef Norbert Niederkofler, winner of three Michelin stars as well as a green star for sustainability, at Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, a unique training opportunity that will shape his professional future and a tangible example of Marlene®’s commitment to engaging with young talent. Meanwhile, winner of the music category was Leonardo Mantelli whose song “Le mele di Marlene®” blends poetic imagery with his own personal memories. His song was inspired by the idea that the apple embodies the values of the land in which it grows: the harmony of the seasons, the painstaking work of the farmers, the balance between modernity and tradition. The result is a piece that evokes the aroma of the orchards, the freshness of an apple that has just been picked, and the sense of authenticity with which the brand has always been synonymous. Finally, winner of the literature category was Marialaura Ceribelli with the poem “Dentro di te il mio mondo”, a verse full of personal emotions and reflections that takes its inspiration from the infinite beauty of nature and the importance of safeguarding the environment so the future generations can experience the emotions of the world around us.

“Marlene® has promoted the region for thirty years thanks to its strong and recognisable brand. The aim of this contest was to strengthen our dialogue with the public and consolidate the values of the brand at international level, showing how quality, origin and sustainability can drive engagement and reinforce our shared identity” - comments Hannes Tauber, Marketing Manager of the VOG Consortium.

The winning projects underline the ability of the Marlene® brand platform to generate content, engagement and cultural value, strengthening the brand’s role not only as a synonym of quality, but also as a recognised leader on the international premium agri-food panorama.

Indicative of its innovative and compelling communication strategy, the Marlene® contest also gives winners the unique opportunity to see their works used on packaging and eye-catching installations in stores, bringing consumers into direct contact with all of the creativity inspired by the competition.