Gary Pilnick has been CEO of Kellogg since October.
Kellogg CEO Gary Pilnick sparked controversy by suggesting people consider eating cereal with dinner as a cost-saving measure.
In an interview with CNBC, Mr. Pillnick discussed a marketing campaign from the company that encourages people to give the chicken a “break” in favor of a bowl of Frosted Flakes and Frosted Mini Wheaties, making it a fun change to family meals. . Mr. Pilnick came up with the idea in response to a moderator’s question about rising grocery store prices.
“The cereal category has always been quite affordable and it tends to be a good destination for consumers when they’re under pressure. We’re advertising ‘dinner cereal,'” he said. “If you think about the cost of cereal for a family compared to what else they might do, it’s going to be more affordable,” he added.
Since 2020, people have spent about 26% more on groceries. The CNBC host asked Mr. Pillnik if his words could be misunderstood by consumers.To which he replied: “It’s actually landing very well now. Cereal for dinner is probably going to be a more popular thing now and we expect [it] Keep doing this despite the pressure on consumers. “
Watch the video here:
Have cereal for dinner, says Kellogg CEO Gary Pilnick. How bad does it have to be before people wake up? pic.twitter.com/wY9t7jo5tf
— Colette Murphy (@Iammurphycolet) February 23, 2024
The comment, which many compared to Marie Antoinette’s infamous “let them eat cake” remark, quickly circulated online, sparking a backlash from those who found the suggestion controversial.
One user wrote on This story is almost certainly apocryphal – Marie Antoinette was not as stupid and out of touch with reality as Gary Pillnick seems).
The level of arrogance of Kellogg CEO Gary Pilnick is absolutely shocking. On the same level as “Let Them Eat Cake” (although that story is almost certainly apocryphal – Marie Antoinette wasn’t as silly and out of touch with reality as Gary Pillnick seems). https://t.co/68BdBhYWWv
— Mandu Cat (@soulkitty63) February 27, 2024
Another user asked Mr. Pillnick to “do better,” saying, “Gary Pillnick is seriously giving Marie Antoinette a cake-eating vibe. Telling poor people to only eat cereal for dinner is not A good idea. He’s worth at least six million.”
Your CEO Gary Pilnick is seriously giving Marie Antoinette the feeling of having their cake and eating it too.
Telling poor people to eat only cereal for dinner is not a good idea. His net worth is at least 6 million. Do better.— Punachick45??????????????????????????????????????????⛰️????????? ? (@punachick45) February 23, 2024
There were calls for everyone to “boycott” the brand.
When Kellogg CEO Gary Pillnick was asked what families struggling to buy food should do, his response was: “They should have cereal for dinner.”
These misfit scum have probably not been in a supermarket in decades. Boycott Kellogg’s. pic.twitter.com/MCUKl8TDno
— Thia and… ???✌️????????? (@ThiaBallerina) February 24, 2024
“Kellogg’s CEO Gary Pillnick says have cereal for dinner. How bad does it have to be before people wake up?” read another comment.
Have cereal for dinner, says Kellogg CEO Gary Pilnick. How bad does it have to be before people wake up? pic.twitter.com/wY9t7jo5tf
— Colette Murphy (@Iammurphycolet) February 23, 2024
According to him, Gary Pilnick has been CEO of Kellogg since October LinkedIn contour. He has over 23 years of experience and is a long-time member of the Michigan State organization.
