Tobacco Documents Online

'"PHILIP MORRIS U.S.A. TO: FROM: Steve Piskor Louis Lembo DATE: September 16, 1988 SUBJECT: PM-USA Funding for Social Pro ' e~ cts One of the 1989-1993 Five Year Plan issues included under "Deteriorating Socio-political Environment" is the proposed use of PM Credit Corporation to finance public projects to improve the Company's public image. Undertaking similar strategies, many companies are currently getting involved in projects that promote the general welfare of the economically disadvantaged. In today's Wall Street Journal, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine has taken an advertisement to promote a program they are undertaking to help homeless families. Another company, Drexel Brunham Lambert, recently ran a series of television commercials touting the company's underwriting of innovative financial instruments that helped finance public projects and improved the quality of life in many cities. As many social problems increase in severity, government assistance programs at both the state and federal level are being strained as a result of cuts in funding. This presents PM-USA with an opportunity to become more involved in efforts to provide assistance for some of the Nation's biggest social problems, as well as, addressing a strategic need to enhance our position within the socio-political environment. PM-USA in conjunction with PMCC or Corporate Contributions may want to consider becoming involved in these or similar undertakings: Underwriting low interest financing for middle and low income housing. Develop and finance a program to retrain workers in areas of high unemployment. . PMCC and PM-USA may be able to lend financial assistance to public projects that involve education, emergency services, utilities or recreational facilities. 9 CEI SEP ,. A 9 STEELI-- rY" ~SCe ~ ~e~ E4V 61 INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE- 120 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y 10017 f

Benefits PM-USA may realize from a program of this type include: . Enhance Company goodwill within each community served as well as Nationally. . Provide access to political decision makers. . Provide concrete evidence of PM-USA's commitment towards responsible corporate citizenship that can be translated into a positive company image by consumers. . Enhance PM-USA's position with legislative bodies who might be considering marketing sanctions, advertising bans and public smoking restrictions. I am ready to discuss aspects of this program at your earliest convenience. CC: D. Beran H. Steele ~ -