2008 brings global business growth, an Olympic legend, much more

Our drive and passion at Kellogg continues to present us with new opportunities year in and year out - and 2008 was no exception.

Despite the struggling economy in the United States, we managed to stay strong and we continued to globally expand our company with our acquisitions of Russia's largest producer in crackers, biscuits and cereal - The United Bakers Group - and Zhenhang Foods, in China. The Hydrox cookie comeback and the sponsorship of Olympic-legend Michael Phelps were among a few of the events that certainly helped to make the year memorable.

But, before we venture into the year 2009, let's take a look back at all the exciting and innovative moments of 2008.

Kellogg launched a new, interactive "breakfast-building" tool to help consumers take the guesswork out of eating healthy and living well. The tool allows visitors to build a breakfast, and even calculates the calories and key nutrients. Click here for the complete article.

Kellogg announced its acquisition of the United Bakers Group in Russia. The company operates as a subsidiary, reporting in to our European business, and is the country's largest cracker, biscuit and cereal producer - marketed primarily under Yantar and Lyubyatovo brand names. Click here for the complete article.

Kellogg debuts latest new product line-up. With plans for a $40 million addition under way to its W.K. Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition Research (WKKI) in Battle Creek, Mich., and a host of new products hitting store shelves, Kellogg Company's focus remains on innovation. Click here for the complete article.

5,000 packages of Kellogg's Finding Nemo Fruit Flavored Snacks made their way to the 2008 annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Normally, branded products are not distributed at the event, so our presence at the event was an honor. Click here for the complete article.

The 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareowners drew more than 1,500 investors to Battle Creek. The event was hosted by President and CEO David Mackay and Chairman of the Board Jim Jenness. Their remarks reflected the "Sustainable, Dependable, Performance" theme of the company's 2007 Annual Report. Click here for the complete article.

Sharing information with key stakeholders about our health and nutrition commitments is a corporate priority, and we began telling our story through a new brochure, "Kellogg's Nutrition Heritage." Click here for the complete article.

Happy Birthday, Rice Krispies! Introduced in 1928, the cereal turned 80-years-old and continues to be a family favorite known for its unique noise and great taste. In 2007 alone, its sales topped $675 million including Rice Krispies cereal and Rice Krispies Treats squares. Click here for the complete article.

For the third consecutive year, United Way of America honored Kellogg with a Spirit of America Summit Award. The Summit Award for Corporate Philanthropy was presented to us at the United Way of America's 2008 Community Leader's Conference in Baltimore. Click here for the complete article.

Through our partner - Feeding America (formerly known as America's Second Harvest) we donated two semi-truck trailers full of product to help the victims of the severe storms and flooding that hit Iowa in early June. Click here for the complete article.

Hendrick Motorsports and driver Casey Mears announced that after the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season, they would be going their separate ways. Click here for the complete article.

A long-time breakfast favorite - the blueberry muffin - was incorporated into our well-known Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal. The new cereal, Frosted Mini-Wheats Blueberry Muffin cereal, was introduced. Click here for the complete article.

The U.S. Snacks business officially welcomed back Hydrox with a day of special events in New York City. The cookie was featured on CBS-TV's "Early Show," featuring an interview with Brad Davidson, President, Kellogg North America, and three winners of the online contest that searched America for the biggest Hydrox fans. Click here for the complete article.

Kellogg unveiled the special-edition product packages that feature olympic gold-medal swimming superstar Michael Phelps. Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund also pledged $250,000 to the Michael Phelps Foundation. Click here for the complete article.

Our U.S. Snacks business announced its acquisition that added two plants to its supply chain network. Kellogg acquired the assets of IndyBake Products LLC and Brownie Products Co. a privately held contract manufacturing business that produces cracker, cookie and frozen dough products. Click here for the complete article.

Nutrition experts at Kellogg teamed up with two experts in raising healthy families to develop an online resource - Snacktivate - that's helping mothers teach smart snacking habits to their kids. It is now a key feature of our KelloggsNutrition.com website. Click here for the complete article.

John Harvey Kellogg - the grandson of Merritt Gardner Kellogg, who was the half brother of W.K. Kellogg - returned to Battle Creek with his family for a two-day tour of our company's hometown in October. John and his family visited the plant, our headquarters and other various locations that had historical significance to the Kellogg brothers. Click here for the complete article.

Kellogg announced that it will lease a new office tower to be built adjacent to our global headquarters as part of a planned revitalization of downtown Battle Creek. The six-story tower will have 122,500 square feet of office space and will hold a maximum of 700 people. Click here for the complete article.

Our company announced its further growth of the U.S. Snacks business by adding another cookie brand to its portfolio. Kellogg acquired the trademarks and recipes of Mother's Cake & Cookie Co., a regional brand in the western United States. Click here for the complete article.

Our U.S. Specialty Channels business reached a significant milestone - surpassing $2 billion in annual gross sales. A celebration at its headquarters in Elmhurst, Ill., was held to highlight the mark and show appreciation to its employees. Click here for the complete article.