# Modern Cereal Cereal brands are changing up their branding to appeal to the Millennial consumer. By [Kalin Ned](https://www.trendhunter.com/knedelch), Research Writer | Published Sep 21, 2020 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/modern-cereal ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.3/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Modern Cereal trend? **Modern Cereal:** Some cereal companies are moving away from an overly energetic "mascot" and toward more chic and contemporary aesthetics for their packaging and branding. This might come in the form of a slick color palette, modern illustrations, or even a special feature that adds to the experience. ## The consumer insight behind the Modern Cereal trend Consumers—especially those who are a part of the Millennial and Gen Z demographics—are placing a strong emphasis on appearance when making their purchasing decisions. For some, this stems from a curiosity and a desire to be adventurous, others tend to make a correlation between good aesthetics and high quality. Given that there are many choices on the market that can overwhelm consumers, individuals are usually drawn to the product that catches their eye the most. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 16, 2020 to Sep 1, 2021 - Published: Sep 21, 2020 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Modern Cereal trend 5 featured examples from Jul 16, 2020 to Sep 1, 2021. - [Anytime Breakfast Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offlimits-cereal): OffLimits Cereal Help Reframe the Breakfast Food as an All-Day Option (Category: Marketing) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore creating more all-day cereal options that cater to changing consumer behavior and preferences. - [Low-Sugar Pumpkin Spice Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-cereal): Three Wishes Pumpkin Spice Cereal Has Eight-Grams of Protein (Category: Marketing) Implication: Cereal brands can incorporate ingredients such as chickpeas, tapioca, and pea protein to offer protein-rich, low-sugar options that cater to changing consumer preferences. - [Redefined Family-Size Cereal Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/familysize-cereal-box): Nestlé Brazil Debuts a New Packaging Format for Its Product (Category: Marketing) Implication: Brands in the CPG industry can create new packaging formats that are tailored to specific consumer demographics, allowing them to stand out in a crowded marketplace. - [Plant-Based Protein Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rx-cereal): Rx Cereal Will Come in Three Flavor Options to Choose From (Category: Marketing) Implication: Manufacturers of cereal and breakfast foods are constantly looking for ways to innovate and meet the changing demands of consumers. - [Nostalgic High-Protein Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highprotein-cereal): Magic Spoon Releases Two New Flavors—Strawberry and Peaches & Cream (Category: Marketing) Implication: The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the growing demand for low-carb, high-protein, and natural sugar substitute products by developing innovative recipes to cater to… **Workshop question:** How might your brand update its packaging, with modern aesthetics in mind? ## Themes within the Modern Cereal trend ### Modern Aesthetics Packaging Cereal companies are moving away from traditional energetic mascots, and using contemporary aesthetics like slick color palette or modern illustrations. ### Plant-Based Protein Cereals made of fruit, almonds and brown rice provide as much as 12 grams of plant-based protein per serving. ### Tailored Packaging Design Tailor-made packaging design is becoming more important to catch consumers' attention, such as Nestlé's Cheerios packaging that represents eight different types of families. ## What the Modern Cereal trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage The food trend of using real, simple ingredients like plant-based protein and low sugar. ### For Marketing and Advertising More brands are investing resources in creating tailored-made packaging designs to segment audiences. ### For E-commerce In the age of social distancing and beyond, more consumers may prefer convenient e-commerce options to purchase their favorite cereals. ## Trend signals for Modern Cereal Trend score 4.3 out of 10, from popularity 68%, activity 51%, freshness 10%. - Popularity: 68% - Activity: 51% - Freshness: 10% ## Recent trend clusters - [Palette Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/colored-carry-on) (Fashion) - [Pocket Continuity](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/foldable-phone-accessories) (Tech) - [Entry Hooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/asian-skincare-shopping) (Fashion) - [Adaptable Warmth](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/removable-liner-boots) (Fashion) ## Trending in Marketing - [Korean-Inspired Convenience Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/korean-inspired-convenience-menus) - [Remarkably Comfortable Canadian Sleepwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleep-the-label) - [Cheeky Mobile Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheeky-mobile-billboards) - [Caviar-Inspired Collagen Eye Cream](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collagen-eye-cream) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)