Philip Morris plans $350M in price promos; No Marlboro magazine ads, but premium smokes get loyalty programs, retail discounts.(Brief Article)

Advertising Age, August, 2002 by Dipasquale, Cara B.

Philip Morris USA has not run a single magazine ad for Marlboro this year. But while relinquishing the only mass-media venue available for its biggest brand, the tobacco leader continues to aggressively promote brands at retail via discounts and other offers. It plans to invest $350 million in the second half of this year on price promotions for premium brands including Marlboro, and continues programs and events that facilitate customers' interaction and reward their loyalty.

Price promotions remain the biggest marketing tactic for major cigarette companies trying to compete against deep-discount smoke makers.

``Magazines are somewhat of an effective venue for them to advertise, but some of the more effective advertising or promotions are at...

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