General Mills, Inc.: "Cuckoo For Cocoa Puffs" campaign
Daryl F. MallettOverview
During the years of the post-World War II baby boom, the breakfast-cereal segment of the food industry overflowed with colorful characters competing for the attention of children. Venerable food-manufacturing company General Mills, Inc.—with a plethora of cereals being produced under its banner and facing competition from such industry heavyweights as Kellogg Company, Malt-O-Meal Company, Ralston Purina, and Post Nabisco—had no choice but to jump on to the bandwagon and create its own cast of characters. In 1965 a crazy voice rose above the cartoon cacophony created by the...