Working across the meals and baking solutions at General Mills, Ipalibo is responsible for leading brand and communications strategy for iconic brands, like Pillsbury, Annie’s, Progresso, Old El Paso and Betty Crocker – representing $4+ billion in annual revenue. In his role, Ipalibo guides the development of foundational brand strategies, identification of brands’ key issues, largest opportunities, and go-to-market strategies. Further, he facilitates the development of how those strategies come to life across the 4Ps and in communications – leading cross-functional teams in the process.
Prior to joining General Mills, Ipalibo started his career at Colle McVoy, where he got exposure to industries as diverse as CPG, financial services, healthcare, and agriculture. He eventually became a global strategy lead at Carat, where he led global strategy for clients, inlcuding Coca Cola, Xbox, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, and Beiersdorf. During his time at Carat, he led the development and execution of the Smirnoff’s multi-national International Women’s Day campaign. The campaign won recognition from 15 industry awards, including the Webby Awards, Shorty Awards, and Digiday Award.
While his career started in Minneapolis at Colle McVoy, Ipalibo has a global background and mindset. Born in Nigerian and raised in Boston, MA, he has lived in and explored three continents and hopes to see all seven in due time. His travel and experiences helped him develop a passion for building and serving communities. Currently, this passion has him coaching youth soccer, leading internal diverse marketers’ employee resource groups at General Mills, and volunteering with local non-profits in Minneapolis focused on serving its minority community.
