Ben & Jerry’s cofounders push for independence as Unilever’s ice cream spinoff nears

Core Viewpoint - The founders of Ben & Jerry's are advocating for the brand to operate independently from Unilever, arguing that the parent company has compromised its social mission and brand value [1][3]. Group 1: Founders' Concerns - Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield express that Unilever has not honored the original agreement made during the sale of Ben & Jerry's, particularly regarding the brand's ability to pursue its progressive social mission [2][3]. - The founders believe that Ben & Jerry's cannot thrive under Unilever's conglomerate structure, which they claim undermines the reasons customers support the brand [3][4]. Group 2: Recent Developments - Ben & Jerry's criticized Unilever for the dismissal of its CEO, alleging that the decision was influenced by the CEO's commitment to the brand's social mission rather than his performance [5]. - The brand claims it was excluded from the CEO appointment process, which Unilever has denied, asserting that it acted appropriately [5]. Group 3: Unilever's Position - A spokesperson for Magnum Ice Cream, part of Unilever, stated that Ben & Jerry's remains a valued part of the company and emphasized their commitment to the brand's unique three-part mission [6].