Executive Changes - Opendoor's CFO, Selim Freiha, has left the company effective immediately, with Christy Schwartz appointed as interim CFO [2] - OpenAI has hired Mike Liberatore as its business finance officer, overseeing AI infrastructure spending [3] - Unilever appointed Srinivas Phatak as its new finance chief, having been with the company for 26 years [4] - Market Basket's CFO, Donald Mulligan, has been named interim CEO following the removal of Arthur T. Demoulas [5] - Insulet has appointed Flavia Pease as CFO, effective September 30, transitioning from her previous role at Charles River Laboratories [6]

Company News - Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield announced his exit from the ice cream maker [1] - Greenfield alleges Unilever has taken away the company's independence and "silenced" its social activism [1]

Investment Overview - The beauty brand Hung Vanngo Beauty, founded by celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo, has received investment from Unilever's venture capital arm and True Beauty Ventures, marking a significant interest in makeup artist-led brands [1][3][4] - The investment amount for this seed round has not been disclosed, but a substantial portion is intended to support the brand's retail expansion plans [1][4] Brand Launch and Market Entry - Hung Vanngo Beauty launched its products on Sephora and its official website, attracting investment within less than two weeks of its debut [3][9] - The brand's initial product line includes seven vegan and cruelty-free items, priced between $22 and $49 (approximately 156 to 348 RMB) [7][9] Founder's Background and Influence - Hung Vanngo, originally from Vietnam, has a notable background as a hairstylist and makeup artist, having worked with high-profile celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Jennifer Lawrence [5][7] - His strong social media presence, with 4.1 million followers on Instagram and nearly 600,000 YouTube subscribers, has helped build a substantial user base for the brand [5][9] Management and Strategic Direction - To enhance management capabilities, Hung Vanngo Beauty has appointed Samantha Kitain, former CMO of Tarte Cosmetics, as CEO [7][19] - The brand aims to bridge the gap between professional-grade and everyday makeup, focusing on high pigmentation and adaptability for various skin tones [9][19] Competitive Landscape - The market for makeup artist-led brands is gaining traction, with significant investments from major beauty companies like L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, and Shiseido [10][18] - In China, brands like 毛戈平 and 彩棠 have also emerged, supported by major beauty firms, indicating a growing trend in the sector [15][19] Future Outlook - The investment in Hung Vanngo Beauty reflects a broader strategy among international beauty groups to tap into niche markets and overcome growth challenges [18][22] - The success of makeup artist brands may lead to increased competition, necessitating a balance between personal brand influence and independent brand value for sustainable growth [22]

Company Leadership - Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield announced his exit from the ice cream maker [1] Corporate Governance & Independence - Unilever, the parent firm, allegedly took away Ben & Jerry's independence [1] - Unilever allegedly "silenced" Ben & Jerry's social activism [1]

Company Leadership - Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the company after 47 years [1] Corporate Strategy - Unilever is planning to spin off its ice-cream business as a separate entity [1]

Core Points - Jerry Greenfield, cofounder of Ben & Jerry's, is resigning due to ongoing political disputes with Unilever, the brand's parent company [1][2] - Greenfield expressed that Unilever has limited the brand's independence to advocate for peace, justice, and human rights, which he believes are core values protected under their merger agreement [2] - Ben & Jerry's is now part of the Magnum Ice Cream Co., which Unilever recently spun off, and is valued at approximately $8.6 billion [3] Company Relations - The relationship between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever has deteriorated since the brand was sold to Unilever in 2000 [2] - Unilever's spokesperson stated that they disagree with Greenfield's perspective and have attempted to engage both cofounders in discussions to strengthen the brand's values-based position [4] - Ben & Jerry's ceased sales in the West Bank in 2021, citing a conflict with the brand's socially conscious values, which led to criticism from Israeli officials [4] Legal Actions - Last year, Ben & Jerry's filed a lawsuit against Unilever, claiming the parent company attempted to prevent the brand from expressing support for Palestinians and a Gaza ceasefire [5] - The lawsuit also alleged that Unilever threatened and subsequently ousted CEO Dave Stever for defending the brand's social mission, which was claimed to breach the terms of their merger agreement [5]

Core Insights - The iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has experienced a significant leadership change as co-founder Jerry Greenfield has resigned due to disagreements with parent company Unilever [3] Company Overview - Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, and it has been known for its unique flavors and social activism [3] - The split between Jerry Greenfield and Unilever marks a pivotal moment in the company's history, indicating potential shifts in its operational and strategic direction [3] Industry Context - The ice cream industry is facing increasing scrutiny over corporate governance and brand integrity, especially for companies with strong social missions like Ben & Jerry's [3] - Unilever's management decisions may impact the brand's identity and its commitment to social causes, which have been central to its marketing strategy [3]

Core Viewpoint - The departure of co-founder Jerry Greenfield from Ben & Jerry's highlights tensions between the brand and its parent company Unilever, particularly regarding social activism and corporate independence [1][2][3] Company Changes - Jerry Greenfield is stepping down after nearly 50 years with Ben & Jerry's, citing a clash with Unilever as the reason for his departure [1] - Unilever is in the process of spinning off its ice cream business into a standalone entity called the Magnum Ice Cream Company [3] Social Activism and Brand Values - Greenfield expressed that the brand's mission has always been about more than just ice cream, emphasizing values of equity, justice, and social activism [2][3] - The company faced significant tensions with Unilever after its 2021 decision to stop sales in the Israeli occupied West Bank, which Greenfield believes has led to a silencing of the brand on global issues [2] Company Perspective - Unilever disagrees with Greenfield's perspective and claims to have sought constructive dialogue with both co-founders to strengthen Ben & Jerry's value-based position [3]

Group 1 - The trend of appointing insiders as CFOs has increased significantly, with nearly 71.8% of major public companies choosing internal candidates in the first half of this year, up from 52.9% last year, reflecting a response to economic uncertainty [3] - Unilever has undergone leadership changes, with Fernando Fernandez replacing Hein Schumacher as CEO earlier this year [4] - Unilever is evaluating its top 200 leaders and plans to refresh about 25% of its leadership team as part of a wider restructuring plan [5] Group 2 - Srinivas Phatak has been appointed as Unilever's permanent CFO after serving as interim finance chief since February, following an internal and external search process [6] - The Unilever board unanimously agreed that Phatak is the best candidate for the CFO role due to his strong industry experience and performance as acting CFO [6]

Jerry Greenfield said the ice cream maker’s “independence to pursue our values,” which was guaranteed to him “when Unilever bought the company…is gone.” (Photo: Lisa Lake via Getty Images for MoveOn) https://t.co/SkH4m6UZFt https://t.co/Rf4m9LhAGV ...