标签： North America

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen has issued a stark warning that the iconic ice cream brand risks complete destruction if it remains under the ownership of newly-independent parent company Magnum. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Cohen articulated profound concerns regarding corporate governance conflicts and the erosion of the company’s foundational social justice values.

The controversy represents the latest escalation in a protracted dispute between the Vermont-based ice cream maker and its corporate ownership over operational autonomy and activist expression. This conflict has intensified since Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) commenced independent trading on European markets Monday following its spinoff from consumer goods conglomerate Unilever.

Central to the dispute is the recent removal of Ben & Jerry’s board chair Anuradha Mittal, who has led the independent board since 2018. Magnum executives cited an internal audit revealing “material deficiencies in financial controls, governance and compliance policies” as justification for her dismissal. Mittal has vehemently disputed these claims, characterizing the audit as a “manufactured inquiry engineered to attempt to discredit me” in statements to Reuters.

Cohen maintains that Magnum possesses “no standing to determine who the chair of the independent board should be,” asserting that such authority violates the original acquisition agreement. The 2000 sale to Unilever specifically guaranteed Ben & Jerry’s would retain an independent board and decision-making authority regarding its social mission—protections Cohen believes are now being systematically undermined.

The governance conflict follows several high-profile clashes between the ice cream company and its corporate parent. In 2021, Unilever sold Ben & Jerry’s Israeli operations to a local licensee after the company refused to sell products in occupied territories. More recently, Cohen claims the company was prevented from launching a flavor expressing “solidarity with Palestine.”

Cohen proposes two potential resolutions: either transfer ownership to investor groups committed to preserving the brand’s values, or for Magnum to execute a “180 degree turnaround” in supporting the independent board’s authority. He warns that continued current ownership would transform Ben & Jerry’s into “just another piece of frozen mush” that would inevitably lose market share and consumer loyalty.

Magnum executives have pushed back against these characterizations. A company spokesperson stated they aim to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s “powerful, non-partisan values-based position in the world” and confirmed the brand is “not for sale.” Magnum CEO Peter ter Kulve previously suggested to the Financial Times that the company’s septuagenarian founders should eventually “hand over to a new generation.”

The market debut saw Magnum’s primary shares open at €12.20, below the expected €12.80 reference price, though they recovered to close 1.3% higher. The spinoff establishes Magnum as the world’s largest standalone ice cream business, though its relationship with its most socially-conscious asset remains deeply fractured.

The media industry is witnessing an unprecedented corporate showdown as streaming giant Netflix and entertainment conglomerate Paramount engage in a high-stakes bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery. This potential acquisition, valued at over $100 billion, represents one of the largest media mergers in history and could fundamentally reshape the entertainment landscape.

Paramount Skydance, backed by the billionaire Ellison family, has pursued Warner Bros for months seeking a strategic partnership to compete against industry leaders Netflix and Disney. After facing rejection, Paramount CEO David Ellison launched a hostile takeover bid directly to shareholders, offering $30 per share in an all-cash deal that values the entire company at $108.4 billion.

Meanwhile, Netflix has secured a tentative agreement to acquire Warner Bros’ most valuable assets—its legendary studio and streaming divisions—for $82.7 billion including debt. Netflix’s proposal involves spinning off Warner Bros’ traditional pay-TV networks as a separate entity while offering shareholders a combination of cash and equity worth approximately $27.75 per share.

The acquisition target represents a media crown jewel with nearly a century of entertainment history. Warner Bros’ vast content library spans from classic franchises like Looney Tunes, Superman, and Harry Potter to premium HBO productions including The Sopranos, Succession, and The White Lotus. The company’s streaming service, HBO Max, boasts approximately 120 million subscribers worldwide.

For Netflix, with its 300 million subscribers, acquiring Warner Bros’ content would significantly enhance its film offerings and eliminate a potential competitor from accessing this valuable library. Paramount, conversely, seeks the merger to achieve necessary scale against industry giants, potentially combining HBO Max’s 120 million subscribers with Paramount’s 79 million customer base.

Both proposals face significant regulatory scrutiny from US and European authorities. Netflix’s acquisition would consolidate the streaming market leader’s dominance, raising concerns about its influence over content creators and theatrical distributors. A Paramount-Warner merger would create a media behemoth controlling substantial sports broadcasting, children’s entertainment (through Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network), and news networks including CNN and CBS News.

The Ellison family’s political connections add another dimension to the takeover battle. Their relationships with former President Trump and Republican circles, including tech billionaire Larry Ellison’s status as a major GOP donor, could influence regulatory outcomes. However, Trump’s recent criticism of Paramount over its editorial decisions demonstrates the unpredictability of political support.

Industry analysts note that regulatory approval will likely depend on how broadly authorities define market competition, potentially considering platforms like YouTube as competitors in the streaming landscape. The completion of either transaction remains months away, with both deals requiring extensive regulatory review and shareholder approval.

A substantial inventory of American alcohol worth millions of dollars remains stranded across Canadian provincial warehouses, creating an unprecedented logistical challenge following a nationwide boycott initiated in February. The trade protest against US tariffs has left provincial governments grappling with disposal strategies for premium spirits and wines, with only Alberta and Saskatchewan continuing normal sales of American products.

Ontario faces the most significant predicament with approximately C$80 million ($57.7 million) in shelved inventory, including products approaching expiration. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy confirmed the province will maintain its boycott until securing “a tariff-free deal or low-tariff deal” with the US, noting that less than C$2 million of their stockpile faces imminent expiration.

Several provinces have implemented charitable solutions for their surplus. Nova Scotia and Manitoba collectively committed to selling C$17.4 million worth of remaining inventory, with proceeds designated for local food banks and charitable organizations. Nova Scotia reported unusually strong sales since restocking shelves last week, with Kentucky bourbon emerging as the top-selling product.

Quebec initially contemplated destroying C$300,000 of expiring products but reversed course following public criticism, opting instead to donate soon-to-expire liquor to charity events and hospitality schools. British Columbia adopted an alternative approach, diverting its inventory to restaurants and bars rather than retail consumers.

The alcohol boycott originated in February as a retaliatory measure against Trump administration tariffs on Canadian metals, lumber, and automotive products. While most tariffs were exempted under existing trade agreements, sector-specific levies remained, triggering Canada’s coordinated response.

The economic impact has been substantial. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) reported an 85% decline in exports to Canada, describing the sales drop as “very troubling.” Council president Chris Swonger expressed hope that both nations would resolve trade concerns promptly, allowing American products to return to Canadian shelves.

US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra characterized the boycott as a significant irritant in bilateral relations, noting it contributed to the Trump administration’s characterization of Canada as “mean and nasty”—a remark that British Columbia Premier David Eby interpreted as evidence that provincial efforts were effectively capturing attention.