Media

MAY

Wheaties: Breakfast for a legendary film director
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wheaties helped launch the career of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who was a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs back in the 1930s. So it should come as no surprise that the iconic brand also helped launch the film career of Robert Altman, one of America’s most revered film directors.

General Mills Greece is top workplace honoree
Thursday, May 03, 2012
The latest General Mills office to receive an award as a top place to work is the company’s operations in Athens and the nearby Inofita plant in Greece.

APRIL

SOAR Award honors company's committment to women
Thursday, April 26, 2012
General Mills has been honored by the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) for its long-standing support in attracting, educating and promoting women to the highest positions in our company.

Researchers complete 'life cycle' at Giving Garden
Monday, April 23, 2012
When General Mills volunteers gather later this month to begin planting the “Giving Garden” at the world headquarters, they’ll be knee deep in soil that was nourished – at least in part – with compost collected from several research labs a nearby General Mills facility: the James Ford Bell Technical Center.

Energy meter investment makes General Mills 'greener'
Thursday, April 19, 2012
An energy-metering initiative that started in Covington, Ga., more than three years ago is steadily making its way through all Big G cereal plants and helping General Mills reduce its energy usage.

No sad sack: Gold Medal inspired clown suit
Friday, April 13, 2012
When thriftiness prevailed in the early 1900s, company employees and the public frequently used their empty flour sacks to piece together sturdy kitchen aprons, dresses and sawdust-filled porch pillows.

Champions for Healthy Kids: The best of the best
Monday, April 09, 2012
In 2002, the General Mills Foundation – in concert with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports – launched Champions for Healthy Kids.

General Mills: ‘Most reputable company in America’
Friday, April 06, 2012
General Mills was ranked No. 1 in Forbes magazine this week as “The Most Reputable Company in America” – up from No. 15 last year.

Wheaties: A centerpiece of first baseball telecast
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Today's full-throttle start of the Major League Baseball season summons the unbeatable story of Wheaties, a breakfast cereal that simmered for a few years before flooding across America’s breakfast tables during the Great Depression.

MARCH

'Best Workplace' honor for General Mills France
Friday, March 30, 2012
General Mills France has been named to the Great Place to Work “Best Workplaces in France” listing for the first time.

Composting takes off at world headquarters
Thursday, March 29, 2012
General Mills is bringing sustainable food production full circle with a new composting program in Minneapolis, which has composted more than 45 tons of waste – or nearly 2 tons of waste per week.

A million-dollar recipe
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
A recipe for Pumpkin Ravioli with Salted Caramel Whipped Cream by Christina Verrelli of Devon, Penn., was declared the winner of the 45th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest this morning on "The Martha Stewart Show."

Progresso stirs up cooking sauces
Friday, March 23, 2012
Striving to provide consumers with convenience, Progresso is launching Recipe Starters, a new line of versatile cooking sauces.

The original tweet: flour orders sent by pigeon
Thursday, March 15, 2012
In an era long before TV, and when radio was in its early broadcasts, orders for flour were sent between bakers and Sperry salesmen via one-pound fliers – homing pigeons.

Nature Valley's 360-degree National Parks tour
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Whether you’ve explored miles of U.S. national parks or only seen images, Nature Valley’s latest groundbreaking foray into promoting the parks is likely to be received as “breathtaking” when folks log onto NatureValleyTrailView.com today.

Nature Valley brings more protein to snacks
Friday, March 09, 2012
Health-conscious consumers are increasingly aware of protein benefits – often for weight management – and they are even looking for protein in snacks. Two new flavors from Nature Valley are meeting that demand.

Expanding community support globally
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
As an increasingly global company, General Mills continues to expand its community outreach efforts around the world.

FEBRUARY

Jus-Rol Janet: The UK’s ‘Doughgirl’
Monday, February 27, 2012
People in the United States in particular know the Pillsbury Doughboy as one of the iconic advertising creations of the 20th century. But did you know that General Mills in the United Kingdom has “Jus-Rol Janet” in its constellation of brand characters? She is based on Janet Bishop, an independent home economist we work with regularly.

Yoplait yogurt now available for lactose intolerant
Friday, February 24, 2012
Although Yogurt is increasingly used to manage weight or consume extra protein and calcium, a segment of the population has been left wanting.

Supplier Diversity drives the future
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Supplier Diversity program at General Mills is about a whole lot more than just invoices. It's about relationships. It’s about growth. And it’s about the potential for impact that reaches deep into our business and our communities.

More cereal, less packaging
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
America’s most iconic cereal brand - Cheerios - has identified a way to give club store consumers more cereal with less packaging.

Retton, Jenner, Ali back on Wheaties boxes
Monday, February 20, 2012
Three of the more recognizable gold medal winners in U.S. history are back on Wheaties boxes, and two of them talked about the obstacles they overcame to first get on that box during a media event Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Gradual changes left him healthier, 80 pounds lighter
Friday, February 17, 2012
Jon Russett’s job requires him to look for ways to save energy for General Mills. But in his personal life, he is constantly looking for ways to expend more energy.

Unique charitable effort expanding from Africa to India
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Join My Village,a unique charitable initiative working to lift women and girls out of poverty through education and community initiatives, is expanding to India.

Comedian Harvey tells of perseverance
Monday, February 13, 2012
Comedian, author, and TV and radio personality Steve Harvey was honorary principal for the day at an Alabama school hit hard by a tornado last April, thanks to a contest by Box Tops for Education and "The Steve Harvey Morning Show."

Martha Stewart to announce this year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off winner
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
This year the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest joins forces with culinary powerhouse and tastemaker Martha Stewart. With a $1 million grand prize and a 62-year history, Stewart refers to the iconic event as the "World Series" of cooks.

JANUARY

Familiar faces at World Economic Forum
Friday, January 27, 2012
Issuing a call to action for community engagement, global human rights activist Naomi Tutu challenged audience members at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast to get involved.

A role for all, Tutu tells MLK Day audience
Monday, January 16, 2012
Issuing a call to action for community engagement, global human rights activist Naomi Tutu challenged audience members at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast to get involved.

Betty Crocker bakes a cake for Betty White’s 90th
Saturday, January 14, 2012
When the folks at Betty Crocker learned that the ever-popular Betty White was turning 90 this month, they baked her a cake and delivered it just in time for White’s 90th birthday special that aired Jan. 16 on NBC television.

Cheerios debuts dulce de leche, peanut butter flavors
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A General Mills cereal powerhouse enters 2012 with two new flavors for fans, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch gets a buddy as well.

Game helps find whole grain, now the No. 1 ingredient in Big G cereals
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
General Mills has reformulated all of its Big G cereals so they contain more whole grain than any other single ingredient - and developed an online game to help people recognize whole grain products and possibly win a supply of cereal.

Governor praises General Mills' environmental efforts
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Marking an important environmental achievement, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez visited the General Mills production facility in Albuquerque, N.M., on Jan. 4.

DECEMBER

Tutu to speak at MLK breakfast
Monday, December 19, 2011
Naomi Tutu, global human rights activist and daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, will be the featured speaker at the 22nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast on Jan. 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

‘Ice cream flower’ to grace Christmas tables in Europe
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The French are famous for food and style, so it’s no surprise that French Christmas desserts are expected to look as good as they taste. In honor of its 50th anniversary, Häagen-Dazs commissioned Dutch designer Kiki Van Eijk to design its gâteau glacé (ice cream cake) for Christmas 2011.

A holiday video stars the Pillsbury Doughboy and you
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The folks at Pillsbury work hard to help consumers with ideas on food and entertaining, particularly during the holidays. They also like to have a little fun, some of which now comes in a customized holiday video that anyone can create online.

G-WIN Digital looking for Shazam-like ideas
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
A new 15-second Pillsbury Crescents commercial airing nationally in the U.S. this holiday season is just the latest example of how General Mills has embraced emerging digital technology to engage consumers. And the company is hoping to create even more innovative digital campaigns with help from outside General Mills.

NOVEMBER

'Big Red' stays ahead of the times
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
In the Betty Crocker Kitchens, where two stories of wall-to-wall windows brighten marbled countertops and an oven is never more than a few yards away, a team that included editors, videographers and food stylists spent about two years creating a cookbook that is more than a cookbook.

Hundreds gather to celebrate community commitment
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hundreds of Twin Cities nonprofit leaders recently attended the General Mills Report to the Community and Employees, an annual event designed to celebrate a shared commitment to making this community – and General Mills communities everywhere – stronger.

General Mills Taiwan celebrated as a top foreign company
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Taiwanese government has named General Mills Taiwan as an “outstanding” foreign firm for its accomplishments in sustainability, innovation, work culture and community service.

Once again, company hopes to brighten soldiers' holidays
Friday, November 11, 2011
General Mills employees will again make the holidays a little brighter for soldiers serving overseas in areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan, through the “2011 Operation: Soldier Phone Home” campaign.

Veterans Day: The Cold War warriors among us
Friday, November 11, 2011
You just never know who may be sitting in the office cube nearby. He or she may have been a bona fide Cold War warrior – straight out of a Tom Clancy spy novel. Take Rick Eckstein, for example. The senior logistics operations planner with General Mills Supply Chain played a key role during the 20th century Cold War between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union.

Promoting diabetes awareness in diverse communities
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
As part of National Diabetes Awareness Month, General Mills is reaching out to diverse communities throughout the United States in an effort to provide more information about the disease that affects about one in 10 adults in the U.S.

Helping honeybees make a comeback
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Most of us don’t give much thought to bees. But startling declines in the nation’s bee populations suggest that we should start paying more attention to these fragile four-winged creatures given their vital role in the pollination of important agricultural crops. At General Mills, company scientists are lending their expertise in establishing bee-friendly habitats that will enable these critical pollinators to thrive.

OCTOBER

71-year-old whose home was destroyed by tornado gets 'Extreme Makeover'
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A General Mills retiree and his family were among seven fortunate Joplin, Mo., families who stood in the street and shouted “Move that bus,” the command to reveal their new homes, courtesy of the ABC-TV program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's DC Comics inside Big G cereals
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Since retailers learned that four custom editions of comic books featuring “justice league” super heroes such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman would be in some Big G cereals, the response – including from Walmart and Target – has been very positive.

Send a 'Cheer' to U.S. military families
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Cheerios is lifting the spirits of U.S. military families and donating to the United Service Organizations (USO) by encouraging everyone to send a simple "thank you" to those in the armed forces using the "Cheer" postcard found on the front of specially marked boxes of Cheerios in stores through November.

Giving the shirt off 'our' back in Joplin
Friday, October 14, 2011
Kids in Joplin, Mo., which was devastated by a tornado last May, headed back to school this fall with support from their community – and companies such as General Mills and Walmart.

Hitting on all cylinders to develop leaders
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
In a survey of 250 other large companies such as General Electric, IBM and Procter & Gamble, General Mills' leadership development programs were ranked No. 1 by Leadership Excellence magazine, a respected leadership trade magazine.

Driving Box Tops dollars to your school
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Ford Motor Company is the latest addition to the Box Tops for Education family, becoming the first automaker to partner with the cause-marketing program that has raised more than $400 million for K-8 U.S. schools since 1996.

Australia recognized as a top workplace
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
For the second year in a row, General Mills Australia won the Recommended Employer in the Food Industry award.

SEPTEMBER

Cheech, Chong and Fiber One? Now that's bold
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
When General Mills unveiled a strategy called “Bold Experiments" in 2008, it was supposed to lead to edgier advertising campaigns. So Fiber One has done just that, with a large splash of humor.

General Mills Foundation matches Horn of Africa donations
Monday, September 19, 2011
In response to the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, a national public awareness campaign directs audiences to text GIVE to 777444 to donate $10 to a consortium of humanitarian organizations. The General Mills Foundation is stepping forward, matching the first 2,000 donations of $10.

There's determination behind breast cancer campaign
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
For many employees at our yogurt plant in Carson, Calif., the annual Save Lids to Save Lives campaign to support breast cancer programs is personal.

Foodservice grants spur kids to eat breakfast
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Since the Breakfast Café opened at a school in Boone, N.C., 90 miles west of Winston-Salem, about 30 percent more kids are eating breakfast. And it was all sparked more than a year ago by a grant from General Mills Foodservice.

Cheerios: Nourishing Lives from seed to spoon
Thursday, September 01, 2011
As an example of our Nourishing Lives mission, it’s hard to beat Cheerios. Oats – a primary ingredient in Cheerios – require less fertilizer and herbicide than other major cereal grains. Oat roots contain a naturally occurring herbicide that deters weed growth, and their fibrous structure helps keep soil rich by preventing erosion.