Unilever, one of the world’s biggest consumer goods company, has threatened to pull its ads from digital platforms such as Facebook and Google if the tech companies don't do more to minimize divisive content on their platforms. Unilever's Chief Marketing Officer, Keith Weed, pushed the web giants on Monday to better police what he described as a toxic online environment where propaganda, hate speech and disturbing content that exploits children thrive. "Fake news, racism, sexism, terrorists spreading messages of hate, toxic content directed at children — parts of the internet we have ended up with is a million miles from where we thought it would take us," Weed said in a speech at the Interactive Advertising Bureau's Leadership Meeting in Palm Desert. "It is in the digital media industry's interest to listen and act on this." Last year, Unilever spent nearly $9.4 billion marketing its brands, which include Dove soap, Axe body spray, Wall's ice cream among many others. Digital advertising accounts for about one-third of its spend, the company said in September. Weed's speech did not accuse any specific platform but he said trust in social media is at a new low due to a perceived lack of focus by tech firms in keeping illegal, unethical and extremist material off their websites. He added that Unilever was committed to tackling gender stereotypes in advertising and will only partner with organizations committed to creating better digital infrastructure. Weed said the company has already begun discussions with Facebook Inc., Google, Twitter…
