By: Mark Sweney
February 12, 2018
The former UK boss of one of the world’s biggest advertising groups has said that Unilever’s threat to boycott Google and Facebook could be a pivotal moment for digital advertising, likening it to the momentum of the #MeToo movement that has put a spotlight on sexual harassment and assault.
Paul Frampton, the former head of the UK division of French marketing services group Havas, said that taking the Silicon Valley giants to task over their business practices is about principles, not advertising dollars.
“There is a rising discomfort towards the digital platforms amongst marketers,” says Frampton. “Like #MeToo, it feels this is a movement that has stepped up a gear and [Unilever’s marketing chief Keith] Weed speaking out will mean other marketers will follow.