Cheerios Millennios Cereal Box

The coming of the new millennium generated few examples of themed merchandise. There was speculation that the negativity associated with the Y2K bug would do little to produce strong sales. This notion was supported by JC Penney’s failed attempt to sell pillows, throws, dresses, and countdown clocks carrying the “01-01-00” graphic. General Mills, Inc., however, came up with the idea of adding a sweetened cereal in the shape of the numeral “2” to their standard Cheerios brand. They packaged this cereal in a shiny purple box and called it Millennios. Printed on the back of the box were seven predictions of future events, with space left to fill in the year. Predictions include “By ___ everyone will be driving electric cars” and “By ___ people will be able to teleport from one place to another.” This box, made for sale in Canada, is written in English and French.

References: [last accessed 2019-09-18]

https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Y2K-Angst-Spooks-Merchandisers-Companies-avoid-2906421.php

Currently not on view