Conflict between Ben & Jerry's co-founder and Unilever over Gaza issues leads to resignation of co-founder
In a surprising turn of events, Jerry Greenfield, one of the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, has announced his departure from the company. This decision comes amidst an ongoing dispute between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company, Unilever.
Greenfield, who co-founded the ice cream brand with Ben Cohen in 1978, has been a vocal critic of Unilever's recent actions. He expressed his inability to continue working for a company that he believes has been "silenced" by Unilever.
The rift between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever deepened over Unilever's stance on the Gaza conflict. The brand, known for its socially conscious mission, has been advocating for various causes since its acquisition by Unilever in 2000. However, Greenfield and others believe that Unilever has curtailed its social activism, leading to a loss of independence.
In response to this, Ben & Jerry's has been calling for its own spin-off ahead of a planned listing of Unilever's ice cream unit, Magnum Ice Cream, in November. The brand has also sued Unilever over alleged efforts to silence its social activism.
It's important to note that Greenfield has stepped down as a brand ambassador but is not a party to the lawsuit. Magnum Ice Cream Company, Unilever's ice cream unit, disagrees with Greenfield's perspective on the company's actions.
Interestingly, a merger agreement meant to safeguard Ben & Jerry's social mission was previously in place. However, the details of the current dispute and the implications for the future of Ben & Jerry's remain unclear.
Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 with a mission to create innovative, high-quality ice cream while promoting social justice and environmental sustainability. The brand's socially conscious mission has remained a cornerstone of its identity, even after being bought by Unilever.
The ongoing dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever is a reminder of the challenges that can arise when a socially conscious brand is acquired by a larger corporation. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this iconic brand navigates these challenges and maintains its commitment to its mission.
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