TRESemmé controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
South African racial-marketing controversy
A TRESemmé advertisement shown through Clicks described hair associated with a Black model with terms such as “dull and frizzy” and “dry and damaged,” while hair associated with a white model was described as “fine and flat” and “normal.” The campaign caused a national backlash, political criticism, protests, and temporary or intended product removals by multiple retail chains. TRESemmé apologized and said the campaign was intended to celebrate all hair types but acknowledged that it had failed. Unilever South Africa announced a temporary withdrawal, an internal investigation, and disciplinary action.
2020
Unilever South Africa responds to backlash over advertising images
Company response
Unilever South Africa said the images it supplied for the Clicks website were racist and apologized. It said it was investigating what happened, reviewing marketing campaigns and images, and taking steps to strengthen diversity and inclusion in advertising and training. It also said it had asked retailers to remove TRESemmé from shelves for 10 days, as agreed with the EFF.
Stated objective. To ensure future advertising campaigns and publicity materials reflect the company’s values.
Company response
Apology — Unilever South Africa
Unilever South Africa has apologised for the images the company supplied for the Clicks website, which portrayed black hair as inferior
Investigation — Unilever South Africa
Unilever South Africa said an investigation was underway to understand what happened.
Remediation — Unilever South Africa
The company will now set up a new 'diversity and inclusion assets committee' to ensure future advertising campaigns and publicity materials reflect their values.
Source excerpt
In a statement released on Friday, Unilever agreed that the images were racist.
As agreed with the EFF on the 10th September we have asked our retailers to remove TRESemmé from shelves for 10 days.
Unilever South Africa has apologised for the images the company supplied for the Clicks website, which portrayed black hair as inferior and which ignited protests from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), this week.