Philip Morris
Untitled Document 2072148834/8836
Fields
- Author
- Berman, R.B.
- Author (Organization)
- Berman
- Type
- LETT, LETTER
- Area
- TRACH,BARBARA/OFFICE
- Recipient (Organization)
- Pmusa, Philip Morris Usa
- Named Person
- Mcdaniel, J.
- Xxjean
- Recipient
- Trach, B.
Related Documents:
Document Images
BL'RMAN AND COMPANY
Su YL t 110
607 14Tn brwev. N.W.
WnrnINaroN. D.C.2000D-2000
(xex) 347-9800
Paxr (xo2) 347-'32'30
September 5, 1995
Ms. Barbara Trach
Senior Program Manager/Public Affairs
PHILIP MORRIS U.S.A.
120 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017-5592
Dear Barbara,
While you read this fax I should be on my way to New York. I'm
sending it ahead so that you and Janice have an opportunity to
reflect on my "research^ and some resulting recommendations that
were not available when we last spoke.
If you're interested in the suggested change in program direction,
I suggest it first be tested as a supplement to current activity
without loss of momentum in the Accommodation program.
Accc®od.atioa ProQram (]18) w8aayshot"
While the AP is a good idea to expand protection of smokers rights,
it has not me-- your goal of widespread acceptance by the restaurant
community. The restaurant business is highly diverse with many
niche markets and different customer bases. Obviously, a projected
broad-based (or localized) smoking ban presents these operations
with vastly different visions of impact.
Some of these differing (and low-level) fears of economic impact
from a ban are evidenced by operator lack of interest in the AP.
Perhaps more tellingly, operators do not see any offset to
legislative/regulatory bans from a program that makes smokers
comfortable.
In any event: objective analysis and research with key industry
operators over the last two weeks suggest the following profile of
the AP:
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
Helpful early leadership Perceived as atobacco" program
White hat° theme Pro-smoking theme
Soft, non-intrusive image Unaggrassive image
Sharin.5f informatLon Minimal level of useful information
Promote societal acceptance No connection to government smoking bans
Ct of smoking
.
6m I(,,115_~
N
0
I
_~-~-
a~r `b d+r~
W
'
t po
tct ~
b
Ga-, aA,~
RroHSn ll. SzXMwx
Ouev+ Dw,.
., a4?-ei so
zee In
Zf__-gV ss/se/se

Ms. Barbara Trach
Page Two
our analysis and recommendations are based on much more information
than is capsulated above. In general, we suggest a new test
approach that operates alongside the AP.
we believe that if you want to gain more ground quickly for the
smokers' rig.ots issue, the program must create a proactive,
aggressive mentality by operators regarding government smoking
bans.
Specifically, we recommend that we establish a restaurant-driven
program that connects instantly with restaurant operators.
(Additional benefit--if externally perceived as driven by
restaurant in:erests, there will be more flexibility and creativity
allowed than if it is "owned" by Philip Morris. The American
Beverage Institute, which opposes overly aggressive DWI laws,
enjoys this profile.)
The program would obviously carry a different name which we suggest
should be ^Guest Choice" (GC) . While "Accommodation" is perceived
to accept smoking, "Guest Choice" defends consumer rights. As one
CEO suggested to me, "Accommodation" starts out on its heels.
"Guest Choice" starts on its toes." (The RJR program that uses the
"Lifestyle Police" to defend consumer rights is overdone in this
regard. We believe it's too cute and too transparent to appeal to
moderate interests.)
GC has other attributes as well. Its acceptance will be partially
driven by the pre-selling of its identity. "Guest focus" is a
common mantra in the restaurant industry. "Choice" is the positive
operative word in many current contexts, e.g., abortion, health
care. You immediately access the high road by being associated with
"choice."
While one may have to initially ask "Who? or "What?" is associated
with the AP, GC is easily understood.
GC has another big advantage over the AP. It can be sold to
industry operators as being potentially broader than smoking. Food
and drink issues are continually being toyed with by government. GC
therefore becomes easily understood as another "Government Choice
vs Guest Choice" paradigm that taps into existing strongly held
beliefs.
The information flow that the AP provides through newsletters is
good but should be improved on in many ways that are sensitive to
the industry. With a better communication tool, the eventual goal
of successful grass roots activism can be leveraged much more
successfully.
N
0
V
N
~
a
00
so
W
N
£001n £b; 90 46i40i60

Ms. Barbara Trach
Page Three
in the end, our observations and analysis have led us to see the AP
as a vro-ssokinflr vroaram. GC can be established as a program but
more properly positioned as a coasumer philosophy. As one operator
reflected to me, he could comfortably say, "Proudly known as an
establishment that protects 'Guest Choice'." He was not so
inclined on "Accommodation."
I recognize all of this as a new tack and not a substitute for a
our more in-depth discussion. I'll see you in a few hours and we
can discuss all of this as well as your proposal for us to help on
the AP if these (admittedly brief) ideas have not resonated with
you.
RBB/dlb
cc: Janice McDaniel
"00 £b:80 46i9ei60
