Ban & Jerry’s was and still is one of the few companies that took a stance against genocide, from the very beginning, and in today’s climate that put them in immediate financial danger. I wish them well
Ben & Jerry's also said Kulve, Unilever's head of ice cream at the time, said he was concerned that the company being vocal on the war on Gaza could lead to a "continued perception of anti-Semitism".
Aren't both Ben and Jerry Jewish?
Sounds to me like a marketing campaign that cynically uses tragedy
Surely they kind of knew what they were getting themselves into back in 2000 when they sold their company to Unilever? I know that was 25 years ago now. But multinational corporations have been acting this is way for a long time.
I don't know what you expect when you sell the company to Unilever.
But I didn't know it was being spun off:
The war between the ice-cream giants comes as Ben & Jerry’s became part of the Magnum Ice Cream company on Tuesday and Unilever prepares to spin off Magnum into a separate public company, which includes brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Walls and Cornetto, in mid-November.
Hate to say it but they made their bed with the decision to sell their names to corporate America. This was to be expected unfortunately and if they want to be a voice for good in the ice cream market, they'll have to start a new company.
I remember going to Ben & Jerrys once a few years ago and there was only one worker there at the time, dude was really cool and even though company policy didnt let me take a disposable cup he still went around it and found one so I could drink and walk as I usually prefer with milkshakes (I think they were running out of disposable cups or smth, dont remember the reason).
Anyway, he told me just how much he loved working there, that he knew the entire story of the brand and how really liked how it stood for many progressive things like LGBT rights and stuff. The store closed during the pandemic but I hope he still kept his job and is doing all right. Also I hope Ben and Jerrys can be independent again, they do some nice things.
So how does the public help? Just stop buying anything from Magnum brands or Ben & Jerry’s? That could work in theory, but a lot of us have never purchased either brand, regardless. I appreciate B&J’s efforts, but I just don’t eat enough ice cream (as in, none) these days anyway.
When you sell your shop to corporate America, you sell your soul, kinda obvious. They should've turned it into an ESOP back in the day
What happens when become a sellout
Sold your ethics for a check now got seller's remorse
In April 2000, Ben & Jerry's sold itself to British multinational food giant Unilever for $326 million ($607 million in 2025 accounting for inflation).[16] In the acquisition agreement, Unilever agreed to carry on the company's tradition of engaging "in these critical, global economic and social missions".[17] Following the acquisition, both founders remained employed at the company, though not in a position of operational or managerial responsibility,[18] though Cohen remained on the governing board of directors.[19]
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