General Mills, Inc.

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.

Welch's has appointed Tom Dixon as chief marketing officer. Most recently, Dixon was VP and GM for the Schwan Food Company’s frozen pizza division.

“As a family-farmer owned business, Welch’s has been delivering the goodness of the grape to adults and children alike for generations,” said Dixon. “I’m excited to become part of this iconic brand with such a rich heritage and a portfolio of family favorites. I’m looking forward to continuing Welch’s tradition of bringing consumers nutritious and delicious products.”

Cheerios, a brand from General Mills, announced the launch of Cheerios Protein. The company is billing the product as a "smart solution" that provides a boost of energy for hectic mornings.

McCormick & Company has named Brendan Foley as president of U.S. consumer effective June 2. Foley will lead the largest business unit for McCormick and will report directly to president of global consumer and CAO Lawrence Kurzius.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said he was reluctant to hit send on an email inviting CEOs from top global companies to attend the retailer’s Sustainable Product Expo because he knows how busy everyone is. However, when an email from the top executive from the world’s largest company offers an opportunity to “be part of what’s next,” it’s not surprising so many CEOs found time to visit Northwest Arkansas this week.
 

Walmart has gathered CEOs from more than a dozen global companies to sign new commitments that accelerate innovation in sustainable agriculture and recycling. The pledges kicked off Walmart’s inaugural Sustainable Product Expo, a three-day collaboration to expand the availability of products that sustain people and the environment.

Together, the participating suppliers represent more than $100 billion in sales at Walmart.

Most American’s missed seeing amputee Evan Strong win gold at the Paralympics in Sochi as Russian aggression toward Crimea and the Ukraine overshadowed the games. However, Strong gains another type of notoriety this Spring when he becomes the first para-athlete to grace the front of a Wheaties box.

General Mills’ third-quarter sales and operating profit reflected lower volumes. The company said weak food industry trends during the period as a result of a severe winter affected its results, as did increased consumer marketing and merchandising investment in its U.S. yogurt business.

Net sales for the quarter ended Feb. 23 totaled $4.38 billion, down 1% from year-ago levels. Third-quarter net earnings totaled $411 million and diluted earnings per share totaled 64 cents per share.  

General Mills Big G cereals now include four collectible comic books featuring DC Comics' Justice League characters, on shelves now through April 2014.

Four specialty issues created exclusively for General Mills, in partnership with DC Entertainment (DCE) and Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), can be found in grocery retailers nationwide, with a bonus fifth issue available only in select boxes of Cheerios at Target.