Marlboro Man Goes Global

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Recently, the Marlboro Man, the iconic darling of Philip Morris International, has been seen in ads all over the world. According to MSNBC, you can now see the eternally rugged cowboy everywhere from China, to Mexico, to Pakistan.

 

This is a disturbing global barnstorm by Philip Morris International. Marlboro cigarettes are the #1 selling cigarette in the U.S. – thought to be mostly based on the appeal of the lone cowboy image. This image has the potential to mobilize markets in the East – especially considering the popularity of Western culture around the world.

 

This big move comes right on the heels of the decision to make Philip Morris International it’s own company, rather than part of it’s parent company, Altria (which owns Miller Brewing Company, and until recently the Kraft empire). Altria is busy spinning off it’s companies in an effort to halt the criticism it faces from owning the company that makes Mac and Cheese, and the company that takes part in the death of 5 million people worldwide every year. 

 

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global philip morris marlboro activism