Facebook Boycott: More US Companies Join Pledge to Pull Ads

The Stop Hate for Profit campaign was started by several US civil rights groups after the death of African American George Floyd.

By Reuters | Updated: 27 June 2020 11:13 IST

Facebook Boycott: More US Companies Join Pledge to Pull Ads

The move by many US companies is triggered by a Stop Hate for Profit campaign

Highlights

A handful of US companies have pulled advertising from Facebook
Facebook has been called out for not doing enough to curb hate speech
The North Face, Upwork, and Dashlane are few names that have pulled ads

A handful of US companies have pulled advertising from Facebook Inc in support of a campaign that called out the social media giant for not doing enough to stop hate speech on its platforms. The Stop Hate for Profit campaign was started by several US civil rights groups after the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody triggered widespread protests against racial discrimination in the United States.

Unilever

The consumer goods company said it will stop advertising on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the United States for the rest of the year, citing "divisiveness and hate speech during this polarized election period in the U.S."

Verizon Communications

"Our brand safety standards have not changed. We're pausing our advertising until Facebook can create an acceptable solution that makes us comfortable and is consistent with what we've done with YouTube and other partners," the telecom operator told Reuters.

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The North Face

We're in. We're Out @Facebook #StopHateForProfit

Learn more: https://t.co/uAT7u7mjBG https://t.co/jVxTIH5ThQ
— The North Face (@thenorthface) June 19, 2020

The outdoor brand, a unit of VF Corp, said it would pull out of all Facebook-owned platforms.

"We're in. We're Out @Facebook."

Ben & Jerry's

The ice-cream maker said it would pause all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram in the United States as of July 1.

Civil Rights Groups Call for 'Pause' on Facebook Ads

Dashlane

The subscription-based password manager said it was stopping all paid and organic posts on Facebook and Instagram through July at minimum.

"I'm calling on my fellow CMOs in tech to join me," the company's chief marketing officer, Joy Howard, said in a statement.

Eddie Bauer

"In support of the '#StopHateforProfit' initiative, Eddie Bauer will suspend all paid ads on Facebook and Instagram through the end of July, effective immediately," the clothing store chain said in a tweet.

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In support of the #StopHateForProfit initiative, Eddie Bauer will suspend all paid ads on Facebook and Instagram through the end of July, effective immediately.
Learn more here: https://t.co/0oMnahL1Mh
— Eddie Bauer (@eddiebauer) June 24, 2020

Eileen Fisher

The women's clothing designer tweeted, "Along with other industry partners, we're pausing all paid ads on Facebook and Instagram for the month of July."

#StopHateForProfit https://t.co/D2ARNwnbgl pic.twitter.com/EXgJt9rVmZ
— EILEEN FISHER (@EILEENFISHERNY) June 24, 2020

Goodby Silverstein

"We will join #StopHate4Profit and stop posting on Facebook for the month of July," the advertising agency said in a statement on Twitter.

We will join #StopHate4Profit and stop posting on @Facebook for the month of July. We are taking this action to protest the platform's irresponsible propagation of hate speech, racism, and misleading voter information. We encourage clients and our own people to join us.
— Goodby Silverstein (@GSP) June 24, 2020

Magnolia Pictures

The film distributor and studio became the first Hollywood company to join the movement. The company said in a tweet it would stop advertising on Facebook and Instagram, starting immediately, through at least the end of July.

Patagonia

"We will pull all ads on Facebook and Instagram, effective immediately, through at least the end of July, pending meaningful action from the social media giant," the outdoor apparel brand said.

Rakuten Viber

"Viber will remove all Facebook-related contact points from our app including Facebook Connect, Facebook SDK, and GIPHY, as well as cease all ad spending on Facebook," Djamel Agaoua, chief executive officer of the messaging app company, said in a statement on Twitter.

Update on @Viber's decision to cut business ties with Facebook #StopHateForProfit pic.twitter.com/cch4CfdQzh
— Djamel Agaoua (@dagaoua) June 25, 2020

Recreational Equipment

"For 82 years, we have put people over profits. We're pulling all Facebook/Instagram advertising for the month of July," REI tweeted.

For 82 years, we have put people over profits. We're pulling all Facebook/Instagram advertising for the month of July. #StopHateForProfit

Learn more: https://t.co/XCQSnUO8XJ https://t.co/Jp1GaKdCUN
— REI (@REI) June 19, 2020

Upwork

"Upwork is hitting pause on hate with no Facebook advertising in July," the company tweeted.

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Upwork is hitting pause on hate with no Facebook advertising in July. #StopHateForProfit

Learn more at https://t.co/rBCCtMXJZl https://t.co/ZpRAL6iSZU
— Upwork (@Upwork) June 19, 2020

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Further reading: Facebook, Instagram, Online Advertising