General Mills, Inc.

CGT presents the most recent crop of "Visionaries" 13 influential leaders who are shaping the future of their respective companies with unprecedented initiatives. Starting with a tribute to "Big Data" pioneer Tony van der Hoek, the 2012 Visionaries share details on how they are bringing "big picture" ideas to life.

Savings from restructuring actions will be reinvested to support the companys future growth strategies and to accelerate innovation across General Mills global business platforms.

CGT connects you with nine standout small to mid-sized consumer goods companies that are hitting it off big with consumers. Some names you'll recognize, other you won't. Find out what they've been up to over the last year and what's they've got in store for the future.

Content marketing has been embraced by brands like General Mills, and more consumer goods companies are joining the ranks everyday. P&G's recent switch in focus on digital marketing is a prime example of this colossal trend. Here is a list of our industry's top content marketers and links to their most successful ventures yet.

The M&A environment for consumer markets companies is primed for a resurgence in the next two to three years, according to KPMG LLP. Nearly 70 percent of respondents in a recent survey expect their companies to make at least one acquisition in 2012, compared with 57 percent in 2011. Here's a recap of recent M&A activity in consumer goods.

The natural snackfood brand will become part of Small Planet Foods, General Mills natural and organic products business and will join the divisions category-leading Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and LRABAR brands.

CGT Executive Editor Alliston Ackerman gives you a sneak peek into the trends and topics discussed in this month's issue

General Mills knows a thing or two about baked goods. So, a delicious, nutritious, 90-calorie brownie would seem to fall right in the company's wheelhouse;but that wasn't exactly the case.