More evolution

As part of today's first-stage announcement regarding the future of Wheaties, General Mills has updated the Evolution website, providing many more details on where they're headed in the coming months.

http://www.wheaties.com/evolution

Technorati Tags: cereal, Wheaties, breakfastbowl

Wheaties Fuel - the evolution begins

The New York Times today is revealing upcoming plans about the upcoming Wheaties "evolution" that we have been expecting and speculating over. (You will notice that I was interviewed for this article, and my blog post from last year, "The Breakfast of the Mediocre", is referenced).

Wheaties Fuel will be a new type of Wheaties that will be targeted to men. Three prototype formulas have been created, and in the next few weeks selected readers of Men's Health magazine will get to try them and pick the best one, which will be announced on September 9th, the previously publicized date for the "evolution".

It looks like a deliberate marketing strategy with considerable potential. For the sake of an iconic brand I hope it works.

Technorati Tags: cereal, Wheaties, breakfastbowl

Cerealism

Everyone once in a while I come across examples of art utilizing cereal. Recently a reader passed along a link to Cerealism, the work of Michael Albert, a modern pop artist whos work includes collages made from cereal boxes.

Wildly interesting.

Technorati Tags: cereal, art, breakfastbowl

Cereal Bowl expands to Middle East

The Cereal Bowl restaurant chain is expanding, and not only in the U.S., but now to Qatar and other regions of the Middle East. As I observed previously the growth of cereal restaurants has struggled in recent years, and it appears that Cereal Bowl is taking a lead over Cereality. Their latest press release indicates that their expansion plans include at least 15 restaurants in the U.S., in additional to the expansion to the Middle East. While the Middle East seems to be a strange location for such a restaurant it may be a great move, as places like Qatar and Dubai are emerging powerhouses and a prime ground for Western companies looking for a foothold. We'll keep watching.

(Source PRLog)

Technorati Tags: cereal, restaurants, Cereal+Bowl, breakfastbowl

Time to think outside the box?

I've been away for the past few weeks, but cereal life continues...

In recent weeks a new discussion has emerged as U.K. grocer, Sainsbury, has announced that it will be using bags instead of boxes for its own brand of cereals. This is hardly innovative, as many other companies have been using bags, most notably Malt-O-Meal in the U.S.

What is significant, however, is that the discussion may be picking up, and reports are that even Kelloggs is considering it. Obviously boxes do perform a practical role, helping to preserve the physical integrity of the cereal, and they are a major part of the marketing and merchandising. But, with conventional cereal packaging there seems to be excessive waste between the box and the inner bag. Some companies have already begun experimenting with other forms of packaging, including a sharp and sturdy bag by Jordans, also of the U.K.

Maybe it is time for cereal companies to move beyond the box, and with innovation bring new life to their cereals.

Technorati Tags: cereal, packaging, breakfastbowl

Honey and Hispanics

Cereal innovations and extensions are nothing new, but this latest Corn Flakes one has a new twist. Kellogg has introduced Corn Flakes Touch of Honey which they have developed because of their belief that Hispanics prefer honey-sweetened cereal. The over-55 crowd will probably also find the addition of honey to a staple cereal enticing. In a rare U.S. move, Kellogg is also adding Spanish to the box.

This isn't the first cereal targeted to Hispanics in the U.S., but it does indicate a growing trend to meet the changing the demographics around us.

Source: Brandweek

Technorati Tags: cereal, Hispanics, Kellogg, Corn+Flakes, breakfastbowl

Kellogg adds fiber

Over the past few years we have seen cereal manufacturers modify their recipes to make them more attractive to nutrition-conscious consumers, and to avoid the negative perceptions associated with some breakfast cereals. The latest is Kellogg, who just one year ago reduced sugar in some cereals. Now, they have announced that by the end of 2010 80% of their cereals will contain at least 3 grams of fiber. Apple Jacks and Froot Loops will be the first to experience this boost. This is somewhat similar to General Mills' decision several years ago to include whole grains in most of their cereals.

In reality, adding fiber (which will likely be the insoluble type) to cereals otherwise high in sugar, and artificial flavors and colors is somewhat disingenuous. Ultimately, it's nothing more than a marketing ploy.

Technorati Tags: cereal, Kellogg, fiber, nutrition, breakfastbowl

Cereal and common sense

The U.S. is known for frivolous lawsuits, and a recent one involving cereal proves the point. A woman filed a complaint against PepsiCo (owners of Quaker) for misleading consumers with its Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries. Apparently this cereal does NOT contain real fruit!

Fortunately the U.S. District Court dismissed the case citing the role of "personal responsibility and common sense".

What's next? Maybe somebody will discover there's no fruit in Froot Loops!

(Source: Lowering the Bar)

Technorati Tags: cereal, lawsuits, breakfastbowl

Wheaties evolves?

New Wheaties boxes are appearing on grocery store shelves, but not with athletic heroes. Instead a new line of boxes is promoting something new that will be unveiled on September 9th. No solid clues are given, except a tag line of "Fuel. Win. Evolve". and a website (www.wheaties.com/evolution) that contains nothing more than this image.

While we'll have to wait 3 1/2 months to know for sure, this could be something significant from General Mills. Hopefully. In recent years Wheaties has lacked the lustre it once had. Perhaps a new, stronger brand aimed at today's true fitness buffs could make this a hard-core cereal with a position all its own.

Technorati Tags: cereal, General+Mills, Wheaties, breakfastbowl

Cereal without cereal

Here's an innovative twist for the morning breakfast bowl:

Naturally Sweet Baking Company of Nashville, Tennessee has developed a technique to dry fruits in a manner that produces a granular "whole fruit cereal" that can be eaten like and in place of conventional cereals. To be precise these are not really "cereals" (i.e. which are grains), but they mimic them and provide an alternative for those who can not or prefer not to eat grains, or for something new and different.

Currently, there are two flavors: sweet apples and tart apples. Pear and apricot versions are coming soon. These are available in stores only in Tennessee, or online.

Technorati Tags: cereal, fruit+cereal, Naturally+Sweet+Baking+Company, fruit, breakfastbowl