General Mills, Inc.

ConAgra, one of the world’s biggest food companies, has begun its search for new CEO, following Gary Rodkin’s announcement to the board that he plans to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year, May 2015.

The board of directors has established a search committee, led by independent director Richard Lenny, to identify Rodkin’s successor. Lenny is the former chairman and CEO of The Hershey Co. and has served on the ConAgra Foods board since 2009.

Recent enhancements to Walmart’s website ensure that Andy Murray, the company’s SVP of creative, will have plenty to talk about later this year when he addresses the topic of “Evolving with the omnichannel shopper,” at the Shopper Marketing Conference & Expo.
 

General Mills has inaugurated its first innovation, technology and quality center in China — part of its efforts to drive greater innovation and investment in one of its largest growth markets.  

General Mills is tapping into the latest consumer-driven food trends with its new lineup of products launching this summer.

Cheerios Protein cereal, Larabar Renola grain free granola, Chex Gluten Free Oatmeal, nacho cheese blasted Old El Paso taco shells, Suddenly Salad made with whole grains, Pillsbury Melts filled cookies and Haagen-Dazs Triple Sensations ice cream are among the more than 150 new products appearing across the U.S. and around the world.

The General Mills board of directors has added Henrietta Fore, CEO of consulting and investment company Holsman International, to its ranks.

Fore currently serves as the chair of Holsman’s board of directors and global co-chair of both WomenCorporateDirectors and Asia Society, and previously oversaw the U.S. Mint and was administrator of U.S. international development.

Fore joins the General Mills board, as current member and former Sprint chief, William Esrey, prepares to leave in September after 25 years.

American Standard Brands president and CEO Jay Gould was appointed to the board of directors of American Standard’s parent company, LIXIL Corporation.

Gould joined American Standard Brands in January 2012.

According to the company, Gould executed a plan that quadrupled the company's EBITA, grew sales by 10% and improved gross margins by 700 basis points.

Global brand agency CBX has appointed Anthony Simon as group director of its branded environments team. Simon will report to president of CBX Branded Environments Joseph Bona.

Simon joined CBX from TPG Architecture, an architecture and design firm in New York City, where, as design director, he was a responsible for business development, direction and management of design concepts and staff, and account relationships. His key accounts included Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Crocs, Adidas, Charming Charlie, HTC, RXR and The Empire State Building.

Vera Bradley has named Angel Ilagan as EVP, chief marketing officer, effective July 21.

Since 2010, Ilagan has served as marketing chief and VP of marketing in the Americas for Pandora Jewelry, where he oversees consumer advertising, promotions, marketing research, public relations, co-op advertising, Web management, customer relationship management (CRM) and social media management. His additional global responsibilities at Pandora include branding, strategic marketing and e-commerce content.