Unilever issues ultimatum on Facebook, Google; threatens to pull out ads

Unilever issues ultimatum on Facebook, Google; threatens to pull out ads

James Glenn Gomez Published on February 15, 2018

Lego minifigs wrecking down facebook wall

Facebook and Google are on the verge of a really bad breakup with global brand Unilever if they fail to moderate their content properly.

Like an early Valentine’s date gone wrong, Unilever decided that it will bring its relationship with tech giants Facebook and Google to a halt if they fail to clean up the toxicity in their platforms.

Fed up with all their ads in online platforms “that create division,” Unilever Chief Marketing Officer Keith Weed addressed the rampant proliferation of malicious content, such as fraud, misinformation, racial discrimination, and hate speech in a keynote speech at the IAB Annual Leadership Meeting in Palm Desert, California.

“As one of the largest advertisers in the world, we cannot have an environment where our consumers don t trust what they see online,” said the Unilever marketing head honcho. The global company owns large profit-making consumer brands from food and beverage to personal care.
“Unilever will not invest in platforms or environments that do not protect our children or which create division in society, and promote anger or hate,” he declared. “We will prioritize investing only in responsible platforms that are committed to creating a positive impact in society.”
Trying to woo Unilever again, Facebook renews their vow to create a safer space for consumers, saying they’ll change for the better.
“It’s on us to make sure we deliver and meet whatever expectations that they have,” said the social media network’s head of news feed Adam Mosseri.

Under fire

Facebook and Google have been facing groundswells of criticism for the past few years from brands for letting unpleasant content get past their radars and allowing them to appear alongside the brands’ ads.

unilever website seen under magnifying lens

Google, YouTube in particular, experienced panic in 2017 when companies—such as Coca-Cola and Amazon—pulled out their ads from the video-sharing website because their ads get paired up with hateful or extremist content. Changes in their monetization processes affected content creators as well, creating what has been known as the YouTube “adpocalypse.”

And with Facebook, fake news dominated the timelines of users over the recent years. The problem peaked during the 2016 US elections. Misinformation ran wild because of the company’s then-reluctance to weed out such charades. The company believed that they don’t have such responsibility because they’re not a media company—a stance they since have reversed.

Despite this, the two Internet titans currently run a duopoly on the online advertising market, making up 73% of US online ads as of December 2017, according to Pivotal Research Group’s Brian Wieser. Although, that may change as he believes that the saturation point where increasing digital ad budgets won’t increase sales nears.

Policing the Internet

The tech giants have been doubling their efforts in fighting objectionable content by hiring more content moderators to their cause.
Google has been known to use automated content moderation for their websites. However, with the increasing violent and offensive videos being hosted in YouTube, they’ve relented and have decided to expand their content reviewing team. They’re also developing new technologies to proactively combat abusive content.

Facebook, on the other hand, set up shop at Essen through outsourcing to increase compliance with German laws and to strengthen their content moderation practices. This is their second content moderation campus in the Deutschland, the first being in its capital Berlin.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO17 hours ago
Meet the diverse superheroes of our #ContactCenter team! From analytical minds to empathetic listeners, we've got it all.

Swipe through to see the incredible personalities, working styles, and motivators that make our customer service shine!

----------
Our #recruitment & training strategies are designed to get the best reps for your brand.
Oursource with us today: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO22 hours ago
#CallCenters need to build a consistent and memorable #CustomerExperience covering all channels, both digital and non-digital. You need a high-performing #multichannel team that can successfully implement your #CustomerService strategy.

Here's how: https://buff.ly/3qvoHui

----------
Let us create the multichannel program and team for your brand: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage`
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO2 days ago
Among other benefits, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 monitors and reviews user-generated content to:
• ensure the safety of customers;
• combat spam and potential scams;
• prevent misinformation and fake news;
• boost user experience; and
• cultivate an inclusive community.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?
Explore the fascinating types of #ContentModeration shaping the digital landscape: https://buff.ly/3WR5rn5

----------
Work with our content experts to build a community where everyone feels heard and protected: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO3 days ago
Preventing your customers from leaving your brand may not be as easy as it sounds, but here are 5 tips your outsourced #CallCenter's customer retention team must consider: https://buff.ly/3Nem7Sb

----------
Ensure brand loyalty with Open Access BPO's high-quality #CustomerSupport. Contact us today: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerRetention
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO3 days ago
#CallCenter Team Leaders drive progress and ensure top-notch service for your brand's customers.

Want to unlock the secrets to becoming an extraordinary leader for your team?
Here are the 5 biggest enemies of great leadership, along with a few tips on how to be a good leader: https://buff.ly/45LagCr

----------
Partner with Open Access BPO. We have great call center agents and team leaders to guarantee your brand's growth: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO
Open Access BPO7 days ago
To build a truly customer-centric organization, your #CustomerExperience team must be highly emotionally intelligent.

Here are the 5 advantages of cultivating #EmotionalIntelligence among your #CallCenter staff: https://buff.ly/43uHbcu

----------
Connect with an #outsourcing firm that can deeply connect with your customers: OpenAccessBPO.com/get-started

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CX #CustomerSupport
Open Access BPO