VAUDE joins Facebook advertising boycott

VAUDE joins the international #StopHateForProfit campaign that is encouraging Facebook to take stronger action against hateful, violent and racist content on its networks. The outdoor outfitter is suspending all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram until further notice starting July 1. The campaign, which is calling on companies to boycott advertising on Facebook, was initiated by several American non-profit organizations such as the Anti Defamation League.

VAUDE attaches great importance to responsibility and fairness in all of its business activities. The family-owned company takes a firm stand against racism and discrimination of any kind: "We therefore wholeheartedly support the campaign and affirm our demand to Facebook to discontinue promoting hatred, division and manipulation. Facebook has very strict terms of use, but unfortunately, on paper only. They are not consistently implemented in practice. We are deeply concerned about this, especially because we consider Facebook to be a very important platform for the exchange of information between people," said Manfred Meindl, Head of International Marketing at VAUDE. For VAUDE, Facebook and Instagram are among the most important advertising platforms, accounting for approximately 25 percent of the media budget. VAUDE itself follows strict community guidelines in its social channels.

In addition to VAUDE, other well-known outdoor brands such as Patagonia, The North Face and Houdini, as well as large companies from other industries have already joined the initiative. The campaign aims to hit Facebook where it hurts most – in advertising income, which accounts for almost the entire revenue of the social media conglomerate. If enough companies participate, the increasing pressure could cause the platform to rethink its policies and actions. "We very much hope that Facebook will address the demands and use this opportunity to be a platform for a more humane society and a better world," said Manfred Meindl.

More information: 

• Stop Hate for Profit
• Diversity at VAUDE