Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Resigns as Unilever Spins Off Ice Cream Division Amid Social Mission Conflicts
Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's after 47 years, citing Unilever's stifling of the brand's social mission, as Unilever spins off its ice cream division.
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns, claims activism muzzled
World News Group
Jerry Of Ben & Jerry's Quits
Daily Caller
Overview
- Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, resigned after 47 years, citing ongoing conflicts with parent company Unilever over the brand's social and political mission.
- Greenfield accused Unilever of stifling Ben & Jerry's progressive values and activism, including the firing of the CEO in retaliation for the company's social stances.
- Tensions escalated significantly over Ben & Jerry's decision to cease ice cream sales in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, leading to legal battles and public disputes with Unilever.
- Amidst these conflicts, Unilever announced plans to spin off its entire ice cream division, including Ben & Jerry's and Magnum, into a separate, independent company.
- This separation, expected by the end of 2025, follows Unilever's 2000 acquisition of Ben & Jerry's, which initially allowed the brand to operate with independent social advocacy.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover Jerry Greenfield's resignation neutrally, focusing on reporting his stated reasons for leaving and the ongoing dispute with Unilever. They present both co-founders' claims and Unilever's counter-statements, providing factual historical context regarding the brand's social mission and past conflicts without employing loaded language or taking an editorial stance.
"Greenfield said Ben & Jerry's "has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power" by Unilever, the multinational corporation that bought Ben & Jerry's in 2000."
NPR"It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone."
Business Insider"Greenfield said he could no longer "in good conscience" continue working for a company that had been "silenced" by Unilever, despite a merger agreement meant to safeguard the brand's social mission."
USA TODAY"It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone."
CBS News"It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone."
Associated Press"Mr Greenfield said leaving the firm was "one of the hardest and most painful decisions" he had ever made but he could no longer "in good conscience" work for a business that had been "silenced" by Unilever."
BBC News"Greenfield claims Ben & Jerry’s "has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.""
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FAQ
Jerry Greenfield resigned due to ongoing conflicts with Unilever over the stifling of Ben & Jerry's social and political mission, particularly disagreements on progressive values and activism.
The main disputes include Unilever's unilateral removal of Ben & Jerry's CEO without consulting its independent board, curtailing the brand's activism especially regarding Palestinian rights, and general conflicts over maintaining Ben & Jerry's social mission.
The independent board was established to safeguard Ben & Jerry's social mission and brand integrity, allowing it to maintain advocacy on social justice issues despite being owned by Unilever. Conflicts have emerged when Unilever is alleged to have bypassed this board.
Ben & Jerry's activism, such as its decision to stop sales in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and public stances on social justice causes, has conflicted with Unilever's priorities, leading to legal battles and public disputes.
Unilever announced plans to spin off its entire ice cream division, including Ben & Jerry's and Magnum, into a separate, independent company by the end of 2025 to resolve ongoing conflicts.
History
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