Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • December 2005 (Revised January 2007)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission & Brand within Unilever

By: James E. Austin and James Quinn
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:18
ShareBar

Abstract

In the months after Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever, Ben & Jerry's head social mission faces challenges and opportunities unique in the company's history, including: how to manage employee morale; whether to include synthetic ingredients to meet consumer preferences; how to preserve the company's tradition of speaking out on public issues; and how to maintain the company's distinctive brand image. Also, depicts an innovative corporate governance model with an external board comprising former Ben & Jerry's executives to advise the new CEO on managing the company's distinctive brand and values.

Keywords

Brands and Branding; Problems and Challenges; Mergers and Acquisitions; Mission and Purpose; Social Enterprise; Management Teams; Governing and Advisory Boards; Value Creation; Corporate Governance; Employee Relationship Management; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Retail Industry; United States

Citation

Austin, James E., and James Quinn. "Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission & Brand within Unilever." Harvard Business School Case 306-037, December 2005. (Revised January 2007.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

James E. Austin

→More Publications

Related Work

    • September 2008
    • Faculty Research

    Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission & Brand within Unilever (TN)

    By: James E. Austin
Related Work
  • Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission & Brand within Unilever (TN) By: James E. Austin
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College.