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Why then does Ben and Jerry's get involved in advocating for any number of political positions? (https://www.benjerry.com/values https://www.benjerry.com/values

Why then does Ben and Jerry's get involved in advocating for any number of political positions? (https://www.benjerry.com/values https://www.benjerry.com/values) They're a division of Unilever, a public company... an international conglomerate no less... Certainly it can't be profit motive. Some of their positions would reduce profitability and alienating a substantial number of your potential customers can't be helpful for business either. Maybe Unilever management or it's board are asleep at the wheel. Who knows, but there are plenty of counter-examples that demonstrate that no company is necessarily about financial profits alone. I'm pretty sure that investors know this, and invest for some of these non-financial motives as well... again, may not be the norm, but probably not rare for these companies either.

colinmhayes 6y ago
Ben and Jerrys is a luxury product. Being politically conscious is part of their brand and a reason they are able to charge high margins. They believe that differentiating themselves leads to long term profits. Critically, it's not just short term profits that are being maximizing. Creating a strong brand is the only way to ensure your product won't be undercut which is why firms are willing to engage in activities which build goodwill among their customers even if there are no immediately obvious profit motives. Political donations are part of Ben and Jerrys marketing budget.
- nicoburns 6y ago
  What evidence do you have that such political activity is not intrinsically motivated?
  - colinmhayes 6y ago
    The fact that every decision public companies make is done to maximize profits. If Ben and Jerrys didn't cultivate this image they'd just be another company selling overpriced ice cream. Instead I think it's fair to say they're an institution. That's not to say the people running B+J don't believe in the cause they're donating to, I'm sure they do, they just also believe it's good for business.

colinmhayes 6y ago

Ben and Jerrys is a luxury product. Being politically conscious is part of their brand and a reason they are able to charge high margins. They believe that differentiating themselves leads to long term profits. Critically, it's not just short term profits that are being maximizing. Creating a strong brand is the only way to ensure your product won't be undercut which is why firms are willing to engage in activities which build goodwill among their customers even if there are no immediately obvious profit motives. Political donations are part of Ben and Jerrys marketing budget.

nicoburns 6y ago
What evidence do you have that such political activity is not intrinsically motivated?
- colinmhayes 6y ago
  The fact that every decision public companies make is done to maximize profits. If Ben and Jerrys didn't cultivate this image they'd just be another company selling overpriced ice cream. Instead I think it's fair to say they're an institution. That's not to say the people running B+J don't believe in the cause they're donating to, I'm sure they do, they just also believe it's good for business.