Planned Parenthood’s Spot On App Wins 2017 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award
For Immediate Release: Sept. 11, 2017
NEW YORK — Fast Company announced today that Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s free period and birth control tracker Spot On is a winner in the Apps category in Fast Company’s 2017 Innovation by Design Awards. The app empowers users to track and predict their periods, understand their menstrual cycle, and manage their birth control while providing expert guidance, tips, and fun facts. Since its launch last year, Spot On has been downloaded over 1.1 million times, with users in 160 countries and in every state in the U.S.
The Innovation by Design Awards program, now in its sixth year, honors the most innovative and disruptive design solutions created to resolve today’s most challenging business issues. Finalists were selected from a record number of more than 2,500 international submissions across 13 categories,ultimately recognizing 299 entrants — the most winners, finalists, and honorable mentions in the history of the awards. Honorees include household names like Coca-Cola and Sony, design firms R/GA and IDEO, and emerging companies like Willow and Away. This year's judging panel, comprised of the world's best design minds, included actor and furniture designer Terry Crews, Kickstarter CEO Yancey Strickler, and Roman Mars, founder of 99% Invisible.
“We’re so honored that Spot On was recognized with this prestigious Fast Company Innovation by Design Award, and we’re so thankful to the countless users who have helped us by offering their feedback at every step, from concept to design to launch,” said Jenny Friedler, senior director, Digital Product Lab at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Spot On allows people all over the world to have personalized information and access to the experts at Planned Parenthood at their fingertips, wherever they are. Planned Parenthood is continually looking for innovative approaches to get people the information and care they need to stay healthy and reach their life goals, whether that’s on their phones or in a health center. We’re here when you need us — no matter what.”
Spot On users can track any form of birth control that affects their cycles, including the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, and IUD. The app is free, easy to use, and helpful for anyone who wants to understand their menstrual cycle, whether they’re on birth control or not. At Planned Parenthood, we know that not everyone who uses birth control does so to prevent pregnancy, so Spot On lets users tailor the experience to their personal, unique needs. And unlike other period trackers, Spot On is for any person who gets a period, and doesn’t make assumptions about gender or sexual orientation. You won't find every shade of pink or lots of flowers and butterflies in Spot On — although you may find a dinosaur.
Spot On was featured as one of Apple’s "New Apps We Love" in the App Store and was recently selected as a Gold Honoree for Best Mobile App in the ninth annual Shorty Awards. You can download it for iPhone or Android here.
About Fast Company
Fast Company is the world’s leading progressive business media brand, inspiring a new breed of innovative and creative thought leadership, who are actively inventing the future of business. Fast Company believes that business is the primary vehicle for progress and positive change in the world, and encourages businesses and people in business to lean into it. Fast Company was named Adweek’s 2016 Hotlist Winner for Hottest Business Publication. In 2014, the magazine was Adweek’s Hotlist Winner for Hottest Business Publication, the Reader’s Choice Award Winner for Hottest Magazine of the Year, and ASME’s Magazine of the Year. Throughout its history, Fast Company has received over 50 Society of Publication Design Awards.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.