Unilever silences Ben & Jerry's co-founder, leading to his resignation
Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Resigns Over Social Activism Concerns
In a bold move, Jerry Greenfield, one of the co-founders of iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, has announced his resignation from the company. His decision stems from concerns about the impact of Unilever's decisions on the brand's advocacy for various social issues.
Greenfield's resignation statement reiterates the co-founders' worries about Unilever's actions affecting Ben & Jerry's stance on matters such as Gaza, indigenous rights, the Trump administration, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). He claims that the brand has been silenced and sidelined by Unilever out of fear of upsetting powerful figures.
Greenfield asserts that Ben & Jerry's is more than just ice cream; it is a platform for spreading love and advocating for equity, justice, and a better world. He emphasises the importance of Ben & Jerry's voice in the fight for social justice and human rights, highlighting the brand's history of advocacy on real-world issues, such as peace, justice, and human rights.
The co-founders have expressed that their social justice mission has been eroded under Unilever's ownership. They issued joint statements last week, asking the board of The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) and potential investors to release the brand from the conglomerate.
Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry's in 2000, plans to spin off its ice cream segment into a separate company called The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC). This spin-off company is scheduled to go public with a stock market listing planned for mid-November, with Unilever retaining less than a 20% stake. TMICC will list later this year.
Ben Cohen, the other co-founder, shared a statement about Greenfield's resignation on an unspecified platform. He emphasised the long-standing support for peace, justice, and human rights that Ben & Jerry's has demonstrated throughout its history.
The statements made by Greenfield and Cohen underscore the significance of Ben & Jerry's advocacy in today's world, particularly in light of increasing global division and injustice. The co-founders' concerns about the brand's social activism being muted under Unilever's ownership emphasise the importance of companies standing up for their values and using their platforms to make a difference.
