Abstract
The Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s for 326 million. This acquisition raised concerns about the impact on Ben & Jerry’s social mission and brand integrity. However, the deal stipulated that Ben & Jerry’s would operate with an independent board of directors focused on maintaining its social activism and brand image. This allowed ben & Jerry’s to continue its progressive stances on various issues while benefiting from Unilever’s global reach and resources. Considering the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream acquisition by Unilever, we design a case study that investigates the choice of the acquirer to sell a company on the basis of the idealistic mindset of Ben & Jerry’s CEOs and is suitable for international business managers.