Cereal for dinner anyone?

With cereal volume sales declining or flat every year since 2000, both General Mills and Kellogg's have announced new sales initiatives in the past few months.  Among these is the move to market cereal for non-breakfast occasions.  Currently around 20% of cereal eating happens outside of breakfast.  But companies see potential for growth. 

For instance, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a popular snack for 20 & 30 somethings to eat while playing video games at night.  So, the brand sponsored a videogame conference last year.  (Nassauer, 2014)

What do you think?  Would you like some Fruit Loops for your afternoon snack?

Nassauer, S. (2014, June 18)  Pitching Cereal for Dinner and Late Nights.  wsj.com.  Retrieved 7/31/14, from,  http://online.wsj.com/articles/selling-cereal-for-dinner-and-late-nights-1403133129

Do you think supporting honey bees helps companies sell stuff?

Last week President Obama announced a task force to address the issue of rapidly diminishing honey bees and other pollinators. 

It's an important issue, and several companies have already adopted it as a pet cause.  Most notably Whole Foods, which this week  is sponsoring "Human Bee-In" events and "Give Bees A Chance" promotions. Participants include General Mills which will donate $1 for each box of Cascadian Farms Buzz Crunch Honey Almond sold, up to $100,000 to the Xerces Society, a leader in pollinator conservation.  Annie's, Barney Butter, Celestial Seasonings and Luna are also making donations. (Mahoney, 2014)

What effect do you think this promotion will have on sales?  Are your purchase decisions influenced by the charitable efforts of the brands you buy?  How?

Mahoney, S. (2014, June 23)  General Mills, Whole Foods Generate Buzz For Bees.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved June 23, 2014, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/228559/general-mills-whole-foods-generate-buzz-for-bees.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline&utm_campaign=73911