With most food marketers little affected by the weakened economy, expected increases over the next six months are instead a response to the industry's ongoing digestion of recent acquisitions and a general reinvigoration of core brands.
Kellogg Co., which has recently made sales gains in the long-stagnant cereal category, will continue to increase advertising, said Jeff Montie, president of Kellogg's Morning Foods division.
General Mills' VP-Advertising Rick Hosfield is likewise committed to "increasing marketing support" for brands over the coming year. And ConAgra Foods, having scored a number of wins with innovation this past year, sees an opportunity to step forward with spending.
