Mergers & Acquisitions

Overall, the economy still wasn't looking pretty in 2010, but it wasn't completely ugly either. Most of the consumer goods companies on CGT's Top 100 list made modest sales gains. A few leapfrogged the competition. Yet, many others were still fighting an uphill battle.

The acquisition of DemandTec is expected to extend IBM's Smarter Commerce initiative by adding cloud-based price, promotion and other merchandising and marketing analytics. At the same time, the deal is in line with a trend across many industries wherein the lines between merchandising, marketing, commerce and supply chain are blurring.

Irene Rosenfeld will lead the global snacks company as Chairman and CEO. Meanwhile, a CEO and Chairman have been named for the North American grocery company.

The move, by Sara Lee and its Norwegian joint venture partner Kaffehuset Friele, is expected to strengthen the partners' out-of-home business in Norway and Denmark.

Robert Stockton has been a key architect behind Mattel's rapid international growth and also helped shape many of the company's recent growth initiatives.

The new joint venture has the potential to reach double-digit sales growth and $4 billion in sales toward the end of the decade.

With the addition of this MeadWestvaco Corporations Consumer & Office Products business, ACCO Brands increases its scale and strengthens its position as an industry leader in school and office products.

This is a new position for ConAgra Foods, one that will be a catalyst for stronger growth from its core, private label and international businesses.