Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company specializing in oral care products like Colgate toothpaste and toothbrushes, personal care items such as Palmolive soaps and shampoos, home care cleaners, and pet nutrition through the Hill's brand, sold in over 200 countries. Founded in 1806 by William Colgate as a starch and candle business in New York, it merged with Palmolive in 1928 and has since become an icon in everyday essentials, innovating with products like the first collapsible toothpaste tube. Interesting note: Their mascot for Colgate is that memorable red-and-white smile, but they've had to evolve some branding like Darlie toothpaste in Asia due to racial sensitivity concerns.
Colgate-Palmolive qualifies as woke with their strong push for DEI to mirror consumer diversity (complete with pay equity checks and ERGs for LGBTQ+ and other groups), public stances against racism including reviewing racially insensitive brands amid BLM pressure, and ESG commitments like net zero carbon goals and 100% renewable energy targets that let them pat themselves on the back for being "planet-friendly" while selling plastic-heavy products.
