Engagement in Action

Employees Powering Innovation

Campbell employees have long been engaged in efforts to develop new products that deliver against consumer needs and to identify ways to improve how we work. In 2009, ideaNET, a new online community, was launched. Here, Campbell employees globally can post ideas for improving Campbell's business and workplace and share their thoughts on ideas posted by others. ideaNET combines individual entrepreneurship with social networking. When an employee submits an idea, it is posted to an open “Idea Board” where other employees can share their comments and help build upon the concept.

Authentic Advertising

To promote Campbell's Creations, a line of soups featuring the flavors and textures of homemade soups, Campbell Canada launched a commercial filmed like a home movie — complete with an unsteady camera. The 30-second spot features Alison Hastings, Product Developer adding ingredients to a pot of soup in the Campbell's Test Kitchen and Hilton Cummings, Linesman, Filling Team A explaining in the voiceover that Alison is making this Campbell soup more like homemade, with less salt and more herbs and spices. The employee-actors were selected through a “Souper Star Search” at the Toronto plant, where applicants were asked to explain why they are proud of their role in making Campbell's soups and proud to serve the soups to their families.

Campbell Today

Campbell's daily, online publication provides high-quality news that is candid, interesting and timely.

Recent features have included an update from the CEO on Campbell's business performance, a story on highly engaged teams, a summary of our new products in Canada, a report on a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, and an article highlighting the culture and traditions of the many American Indian employees at our Maxton, North Carolina plant.

The publication reaches 7,600 employees, and a recent online survey suggests that 90% read it regularly.

Employee Forums

The Employee Forums, held each quarter, give employees the opportunity to hear directly from the CEO and other senior leaders on Campbell's strategies and financial performance. The sessions, which occur shortly after each earnings release, also include business unit profiles, employee recognition, and updates on community service. The forums are held live at World Headquarters and are broadcast to approximately 20 company sites worldwide. The replay is shared with our top 356 leaders for further distribution.

Pepperidge Farm Innovation Fair

The Pepperidge Farm Innovation Fair is an opportunity for employees across the company to submit their best and brightest ideas for new product creations. This year, entrants were asked to focus their ideas on Goldfish, the iconic snack cracker. Employees from Pepperidge Farm headquarters, the company's Bloomfield, Connecticut bakery, Arnott's in Australia, and Campbell WHQ submitted over 200 product and packaging concepts and presented them at Pepperidge Farm's Norwalk event. At the fair, attendees could see and taste the results of ideas before voting for their favorites.

Design Manager Brian Klecatsky was one of more than 250 fair attendees. “It was energizing to feel the excitement and the pride people had in their ideas,” he said. “I think that spirit and energy is part of what defines our unique culture.”