Tobacco Documents Online

Contributions / Patr

Abstract

This 1998 internal Philip Morris (PM) email shows how PM strategically applies corporate philanthropy to smoothe the way for its cigarette promotions.

In 1998, Philip Morris started a promotion for Marlboro cigarettes called Party at the Marlboro Ranch, a sweepstakes wherein winners would get vacations at ranches in Montana and Arizona. Knowing that these type of cigarette promotions can stimulate protests in the parts of the country where they appear, Philip Morris sought to curry favor by engaging in strategic corporate giving in advance of the promotion:

"As you all know, Marlboro's newest promotion, Party at the Marlboro Ranch, will kick-off this summer with sweepstakes winners taking trips to ranches in Montana and Arizona.

The brand group would like to identify some local charities that we can provide some support to as a good will gesture in the communities we will be visiting...There was just a big article in today's NY Times about culture in Bozeman and how it's thriving but also has a lack of funds, etc... "

Some of the employees' suggestions for contributions included an organization called CODAC, which ironically assists women who are substance abusers, the Brewster House-Center for Family Violence, the Tucson Youth Center, and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. (This information taken from a subsequent PM email on this topic)

Past cigarette promotions (like The Marlboro Adventure Team and the Marlboro Train) have stimulated protests along their routes. Philip Morris likely wanted to defuse such protests by engaging in this type of philanthropy in advance of the sweepstakes

Fields

Quotes

As you all know, Marlboro's newest promotion, Party at the Marlboro Ranch, will kick-off this summer with sweepstakes winners taking trips to ranches in Montana and Arizona.

The brand group would like to identify some local charities that we can provide some support to as a good will gesture in the communities we will be visiting.

In MT, it's Bozeman and Livinston/Clyde Park and in AZ it's Tucson.

...The brand group is asking for our assistance in identifying some groups and making recommendations. There was just a big article in today's NY Times about culture in Bozeman and how it's thriving but also has a lack of funds, etc...

Ginny, can you offer any suggestions? Perhaps John Delano may have some ideas as well...

...I am unsure of what they have in their budget for this right now but will check. One of the areas I know Nancy Lund, VP Marlboro, is interested in is land conservation projects, but they are willing to look at all options.

Thanks for your help. Look forward to hearing from you.

Company

Philip Morris

Author

Carraro, Tara (PM Media Affairs Specialist, c. 1995)

Ms. Carraro is a Specialist, Media Affairs, PM USA and she gave a deposition that was 187 pgs on 4/19/95 for the Philip Morris v. ABC case. (PMI's Revised Initial Disclosure, June 27, 1996)

Recipient

Comes McKay, Cheryl (PM Corp. Affairs, Trade & Business Relations, Manager)

Manager of Trade and Business Relations, Philip Morris USA Corporate Affairs Department, c. 1999

Corwin, G.

Region

United States

State of Montana

State of Arizona

Type

EMAI, E-MAIL

Litigation

FEDA/Produced

Named Person

Brewer, B.

Comes McKay, Cheryl (PM Corp. Affairs, Trade & Business Relations, Manager)

Manager of Trade and Business Relations, Philip Morris USA Corporate Affairs Department, c. 1999

Corwin, Ginny (PM Lobbyist, State Gov't Relations, Colorado, c. 1998)

Ginny Corwin is also registered as a lobbying for Philip Morris in Colorado. Prior to working for PM directly, Ginny Corwin served as a consultant to Philip Morris promoting their Accommodation program.

Delano, J.

Lund, N.

Operation/Project

Party at the Marlboro Ranch (PM vacation sweepstakes, 1998)

Named Organization

Brand Group

New York Times

PATR - Party at the [Marlboro] Ranch

Subject

Corporate philanthropy (Company giving behavior)

The giving of money to causes by a company, usually in a manner that makes the company appear altruistic to the public. Corporate philanthropy is usually done to achieve public relations or political gains.

promotions

lobbying

public relations