Product Design
Camel-Share of Market Trend.
Fields
- Author
- Orlowsky, M.L.
- Recipient
- *Johnston, J. W. (use Johnston, James Wesley)Chairman & CEO
Document Images
March 25, 1983
TO: J. W. Johnston
RE: CAMEL - Share of Market Trend
This memo is in response to a recent note from Mr. E. A. Horrigan,
regarding CAMEL's share of market trend. Mr. Horrigan mentioned
concern relative to the CAMEL trend and requested an update as to
the approach being taken to reinvigorate this brand's business.
The attached memo from J. R. Shostak provides a fairly in-depth
perspective on the brand's performance, key issues/implications,
a strategic summary indicating current approaches to the marketing
of CAMEL in 1983 and beyond, major action programs underway to
address the key issues and execute against the strategies, and
next steps to be taken to continue an aggressive effort at main-
taining and further enhancing CAMEL growth.
I. Performance
In viewing the brand's sales performance in terms of: volume;
consumer behavior as it relates to share of smoker gains; brand
awareness with respect to CAMEL Lights and CAMEL Filters'
penetration of various demographic segments; consumer perceptions
of CAMEL; product performance vis-a-vis Marlboro; advertising
awareness of the CAMEL World campaign; and advertising performance
as it impacts communication effectiveness; a pattern emerges which
indicates pockets of strength in all areas which should allow one
to conclude that while the brand family is not performing at an
overwhelmingly positive level, there are strong signs of continued
vitality which could lead to a better overall situation for the
brand.
Upon review of Marlboro's share development, beginning in the mid
fifties, when it established repositioned imagery in the market-
place, one finds that the initial stages of share gains were to
some degree reasonably flat over a fairly long period of time.
In 1956, Marlboro's share of market was 3.6%. In 1957, there
was a share gain of +1.3 share points, bringing its total brand
share to 4.9%. However, from 1957 through 1965, the brand gained
one half a share point. Substantial growth on Marlboro did not
actually begin to occur until the late 1960's.

Mr. J. W. Johnston
March 25, 1983
Page 2
Marlboro
Year Share Year Share
1956 - 3.6 1969 8.6
1957 4.9 1970 1-0.1
1958 4.9 1971 11.4
1959 4.7 1972 12.9
1960 4.7 1973 14.1
1961 5.0 1974 14.80
1962 5.1 1975 15.48-
1963 5.0 1976 15.78
1964 5.1 1977 16.12
1965 5.4 1978 16.75
1966 6.1 1979 17.02
1967 6.7 1980 17.76
1968 7.6 1981 18.32
1982 19.23
Given this historical experience of the Marlboro brand, we feel
that there is probably a parallel situation in effect relative
to CAMEL. However, this is not to suggest that we expect nor is
our objective to grow on a minor incremental share basis for the
next ten years,but we do feel that the Marlboro experience is a
good reflection of the long-term nature of rebuilding a
repositioned brand in the virile segment of the market lace.
Given the CAMEL strategy, we feel that we are in a much better position
to stimulate growth behind this brand in a much shorter time frame.
The means by which we will accomplish this increased growth will
be reviewed later on in this memo.
II. Issues/Implications
To invigorate growth on the CAMEL brand, we must singlemindedly
attack identified issues which are impeding further growth, and
we must continue to build on the current positive performance
factors.
In terms of consumer perception, there are two key issues which
are being addressed. First, the brand continues to have an older
user image. Secondly, consumers perceive CAMELS to be a strong,
harsh product. The implications of these two perceptions is such
that to a large degree, they are primarily responsible for limiting
the opportunity for increased share.
Consumer behavior measures indicate that we continue to have
relatively low awareness level of the CAMEL Lights 85's product
against younger adult smokers.
Overall, there is low awareness of the CAMEL World campaign among
all demographic smoker groups.

Mr. J. W. Johnston
March 25, 1983
Page 3
II. Issues/Implications continued
Current product performance of CAMEL Filters and CAMEL Lights 85's
versus Marlboro is a parity situation.
The resumption of the CAMEL Regular declining sales trend is,
unfortunately, an uncontrollable factor, which is not allowing
for total brand growth and total share gains.
The overall implication for all of these issues confronting the
brand is such that we can attack and are attacking the need -to
build more positive perceptions and response to both the
advertising and the image of the brand.
The strategic thrust for CAMEL in 1983 specifically addresses each
one of the identified weaknesses that confront the brand family.
A tighter focus is being taken to drive this brand's presence
against the key target smoker group in the form of various
advertising and promotion programs.
Work is continuing in Research & Development to develop superior
products to Marlboro.
In the advertising area, more targeted support is being applied to
establish CAMEL's awareness levels and b4ld more positive end
results. This is being accomplished by virtue of continuous out-
of-home advertising in key markets, more intense use of national
magazine vehicles and increased use of the CAMEL Scoreboard unit
in newspapers and the continuation of developing innovative
special units in magazines and newspapers.
Advertising_executions are being_refined to_further_enhance_the_
focus of the CAMEL user imagery, the clarity and impact of our
out-of-home executions, and to address the low awareness issue
particularly on CAMEL Lights, we are utilizing style call-out
copy on billboards.
In essence, all aspects of the CAMEL strategy for 1983 are being
constantly reviewed with an eye toward addressing the weaknesses
that have been established and identified.
III. New Action Programs
There are three key action programs that have been instituted to
further accelerate share growth of CAMEL. These programs have
been developed in recognition of the fact that the brand must
continue to intensify its efforts in light of Marlboro's continued
growth.

Mr. J. W. Johnston
March 25, 1983
Page 4
III. New Action Programs continued
a. CAMEL Attack Plan -
The CAMEL Attack Plan is a long-term, aggressive marketing
program behind CAMEL that begins in two Sales Regions
(8% U.S. pop.) in 1983, and is designed to accelerate CAMEL's
growth at the direct expense of Marlboro. The plan places
priority emphasis behind CAMEL on a continuous basis at all
levels of resource utilization in these markets. Spending
in support of CAMEL has been increased dramatically, more
than doubling the previously planned spending level in these
regions. Total marketing support has been intensified to
create an ongoing high level of market presence in local
vehicles. The objectives and strategy of all of the programs
in the markets are geared to generate high levels of trial
and purchase. The CAMEL Attack Plan begins, in full, in April
in the Houston and Denver Sales Regions. We will be tracking
volume and share and consumer trends to monitor the
performance of the program. Expansion of the CAMEL Attack
Plan is planned to occur in 1984, pending positive performance
in these lead markets.
The CAMEL Attack Plan is a fully coordinated and integrated
effort between Marketing and Sales in the affected regions.
This effort reflects a targeted frontal assault on Marlboro.
By dedicating resources on a comprehensive basis behind
CAMEL, it is felt that this concentrated approach will allow
the brand to build its awareness level and increase its
penetration against the key target smoker group.
b. Copy Exploratory
In recognition of the need to further improve the CAMEL World
campaign's appeal and effectiveness, a major creative probe
has been initiated. Additionally, a special image study of
the CAMEL brand is currently in progress and will offer an
increased opportunity to understand the communications both
in terms of product benefits and user imagery for the brand.
As a result of current knowledge regarding awareness and consumer
perceptions of CAMEL,we will be concentrating on strengthening
our headline approach and body copy in the current advertising.
Pending the results of the image study, additional work will
be done to incorporate whatever learning is derived. It is
expected that within the next eight weeks, the initial results
of the creative exploratory will be available with recommended
next steps. Beyond this early work, we will be in a position
by the third quarter to amplify as appropriate, the needs of
the brand basis the image study.

Mr. J. W. Johnston
March 25, 1983
Page 5
III. New Action Programs continued
c. CAMEL Militar Plan
As.a result of a major reappraisal of our Black, Hispanic
and Military strategies, CAMEL will be increasing its
marketing efforts against the Military market during the
second half of 1983. Increases and improvements in the
tactical support directed in media and promotion will be
affected. The Military market is an extremely important market
segment for this brand. Therefore, CAMEL will play a-
leading role and have a high priority in addressing this
very important marketing area.
In conclusion, there is little question as to the recognition
of the importance of the CAMEL brand to the RJR product line.
CAMEL's heritage as a masculine cigarette offers a fundamental
strength to make inroads against a key younger adult male smoker
group. The challenge for the brand is to contemporize this image
and provide a level of presence and impact so that greater
penetration will lead to increased trial and ultimately, conversion.
The basic 1983 strategies and tactical programs for the brand are
tightly focused in addressing the needs this brand has, and will lead
to a continuation of brand vitality as it relates to share and
volume growth. The newly designed action programs in the form of
the CAMEL Attack Plan, the copy exploratory, and the Military market
effort, are positive additions to the brand's marketing plan.
We believe that the overall strategic direction and tactical support
being provided to the brand will result in greater upside return.
We are closely monitoring this brand's progress and will be constantly
modifying the programs to ensure we derive optimal effectiveness.
If there are any further questions or comments, please advise.
M. L. Orlowsky
MLO: jhg
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