Key facts
- Ben Cohen is leading a campaign to buy back Ben & Jerry's.
- The current owner of Ben & Jerry's is Magnum Ice Cream Company.
- Ben Cohen is a co-founder of Ben & Jerry's.
- Ben & Jerry's was sold to Unilever in 2000.
- Cohen alleges the brand's activism has been silenced.
- Cohen alleges the brand's independence has been eroded.
Ben Cohen, one of the co-founders of the iconic ice cream company Ben & Jerry's, is actively campaigning to buy back the brand. The target of this acquisition effort is Magnum Ice Cream Company, the current parent entity. Cohen's primary motivation stems from his belief that Ben & Jerry's has lost its independence and its capacity for social and political activism since its sale to Unilever in the year 2000. He alleges that the brand's ability to speak out on important issues has been significantly curtailed under the current ownership structure. This campaign represents a significant effort by a co-founder to regain control and steer the company back towards its original ethos of social engagement and independent operation. The move highlights a potential conflict between corporate ownership and brand identity, particularly for companies that have historically aligned themselves with activism.