Advertising And Promotion Expense

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]

Advertising and promotion expense

Advertising and Promotion Expense

Advertising and certain promotion expenses are included in "Selling, general and administrative" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and were $8 million and $22 million for the second quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $15 million and $30 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Television advertising costs related to production are expensed the first time an ad airs in each market and the cost of advertising time is expensed over the advertising period. Other types of advertising and promotion costs are expensed over the advertising or promotion period. The company also offers sales incentives and certain promotions to its customers and consumers primarily in the Salads and Healthy Snacks segment. Consideration given to customers and consumers for sales incentives is recorded as a reduction of "Net sales" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.