Unilever threatens online ad cuts to clean up internet

LONDON: Unilever, one of the world’s biggest advertisers, has threatened to pull investment from digital platforms such as Facebook and Google that “create division” in society or fail to protect children. Keith Weed, chief marketing officer, will announce the company’s plan in a speech later on Monday at the annual Interactive Advertising Bureau conference in California.

In the speech, Weed will call on the technology industry to improve transparency and consumer trust in an era of fake news and “toxic” online content.

“Unilever, as a trusted advertiser, do not want to advertise on platforms which do not make a positive contribution to society,” Weed plans to say, according to a copy of the speech seen beforehand. Unilever also said it is committed to tackling gender stereotypes in advertising and will only partner with organisations that are committed to creating better digital infrastructure.


Unilever itself was heavily criticised last year for a Dove advert on Facebook that many saw as racist. Amid a social media backlash and calls for a boycott, the brand apologised, saying it “missed the mark in representing women of colour thoughtfully”.

“Consumers don’t care about third party verification. They do care about fraudulent practice, fake news, and Russians influencing the US election,” Weed plans to say. “They don’t care about good value for advertisers. But they do care when they see their brands being placed next to ads funding terror, or exploiting children.”