Table of Contents
Key Points:
- Ben & Jerry’s CEO David Stever was fired by Unilever for supporting the brand’s social mission.
- Ben & Jerry’s alleges that Unilever has been trying to silence the brand’s social mission.
- Unilever planned to remove and replace Stever on March 3, citing his compliance with Ben & Jerry’s independent social mission board.
Insight:
The ongoing dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever highlights the clash over the brand’s social activism.
Ben & Jerry’s has accused Unilever of suppressing their political views and violating agreements regarding the brand’s independence.
Unilever’s decision to spin off Ben & Jerry’s in 2025 has raised concerns about the preservation of the brand’s social mission and integrity.
Additional Information:
In January, Ben & Jerry’s claimed that Unilever suppressed a social media statement mentioning President Trump and key social issues.
Ben & Jerry’s expressed disappointment in Unilever’s handling of the CEO replacement process and lack of clarity on preserving the brand’s values post-spinoff.
Despite the controversy, Ben & Jerry’s remains a leading brand in the competitive U.S. ice cream market.