Unilever donates £18,000 to RSPCA over Marmite TV advert
Howard Lake | 9 August 2013 | News
Unilever has donated £18,000 to the RSPCA after criticism of its Marmite TV advert. The advert, ‘End Marmite Neglect’, parodies animal charity TV adverts, and uses TV journalist Michael Buerk for the voiceover. But it has generated over 400 complaints already.
Unilever’s donation is equivalent to the cost of running the RSPCA‘s Inspectorate programme for one day.
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The campaign’s microsite also uses language that mimics a charity campaign:
“Exclusive, limited-edition supporter’s and rehoming packs, full of Marmite products, are up for grabs to raise much needed awareness and help End Marmite Neglect.”
It states:
“We’ve launched an urgent appeal to prevent cruelty, alleviate suffering and promote kindness to all Marmite jars.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.