After more than a century of being synonymous with its iconic red-and-white soup cans, Campbell’s Soup Company is officially dropping the “Soup” from its name. The company is rebranding as “Campbell’s Company” to better align with its evolving product lineup, which now spans far beyond soup. CEO Mark Clouse emphasized that while soup remains a core part of the business, Campbell’s has grown into a diverse food company, offering a wide array of products that have gained significant market traction.
Campbell Soup Company To Change Its Name | Today’s KOOL 105.5 https://t.co/mIekAWofYS pic.twitter.com/HPNOfHDY5g
— KOOL 105.5 (@1055online) September 11, 2024
Founded in 1869, the New Jersey-based company is best known for its soups, but it also owns popular brands like Prego sauces, V8 beverages, and Goldfish snacks. In 2023, sales of these non-soup items grew by 13%, far outpacing the 3% growth seen in the soup division. Despite the slower pace of soup sales, this growth is seen as a victory for the company, especially considering that the soup business was in sharp decline when Clouse took over as CEO more than five years ago. Under his leadership, Campbell’s revitalized its soup line with new flavors and redesigned packaging, helping the division stabilize and regain some market share.
The decision to rebrand as Campbell’s Company is described as a “subtle yet important change” that preserves the legacy of the Campbell’s name while recognizing its expanded portfolio. The rebranding reflects the company’s broader ambitions to cater to evolving consumer tastes, which now extend well beyond soup. However, the name change still needs to be approved at the company’s annual shareholders meeting in November.
Campbell’s is making this shift at a time when its other product lines are seeing significant growth. Prego, V8, and Goldfish are among the most prominent brands driving the company’s success, helping to diversify its revenue streams. Clouse noted that while soup will always be a part of Campbell’s identity, the company is much more than that today, with a diverse product lineup that spans multiple food categories.
The revitalization of the soup line itself has been credited to several key strategies, including innovative new flavors, updated packaging, and a modernized marketing approach. These efforts have helped Campbell’s soups regain some of the market share they had lost in previous years. Clouse’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding this turnaround, balancing the company’s legacy with its future growth potential.
As we approach soup season, the Campbell Soup Company is dropping the soup.
Mark Clouse, Campbell’s president and CEO, said the company has “been on a transformative journey.” https://t.co/or7Wv2r7SB
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 11, 2024
As Campbell’s looks to the future, this rebranding signals a broader commitment to staying relevant in a rapidly changing food industry. The company’s focus on innovation and product diversification is expected to position it well for continued success. The upcoming shareholders meeting in November will determine the formal approval of the new name, but for now, Campbell’s is poised to continue growing its presence in multiple food categories.
Key Points:
i. Campbell’s Soup Company is rebranding as Campbell’s Company to reflect its diverse product offerings beyond soup.
ii. Popular brands like Prego, V8, and Goldfish have been driving the company’s growth, with non-soup items seeing a 13% increase in sales.
iii. While soup sales have been slower, recent innovations have helped stabilize the division after years of decline.
iv. The rebranding maintains the strength of the Campbell’s name while acknowledging its expanded product lineup.
v. The name change awaits formal approval at the annual shareholders meeting in November.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News