Youth and Marketing
Subject: Marlboro Vulnerability--Idea Generation
Abstract
Letter on Marlboro vulnerability idea generation. Suggests ideas for RJR Camel campaign against Marlboro. Presents ideas in order of importance generated by RJR marketing professionals and group of factory workers. Outlines ideas aimed at 18-20 such as battle of bands, and emphasizes sex appeal, military, freedom and rebellion against parents.
User-Contributed Notes
- Camel ideas to attract 18-20 yr olds
- Extensive. Good resource
Fields
- Notes
Original document code was 1002.
- Company
- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
- Copied
- Murphy, Daniel H
- Marketing Type
- Pricing
- PrintAd
- PromoProg
- Billboard
- EventSpon
- Packaging
- PrintAd
- Target Market
- FUBYAS
- Men
- Young adult
- Men
- Minor Subject
- Advertising and Marketing -event sponsorship --entertainment event
- Advertising and Marketing -point-of-sale
- Advertising and Marketing -promotional item/program
- Advertising and Marketing -research --focus group
- Advertising and Marketing -target market --FUBYAS
- Advertising and Marketing -target market --young adult (18-24 years old)
- Cigarette -youth brands
- Youth Access -vending machines
- Advertising and Marketing -point-of-sale
- Author
- Nassar, Susan C
- Major Subject
- Advertising and Marketing
- Cigarette
- Recipient
- Cox, Alan R
- Brand
- Camel (RJR)
Document Images
January 21, 1985
TO: Mr. Alan R. Cox
FROM: Susan C. Nassar
SUBJECT: Marlboro Vulnerability--Idea Generation
This summarizes my perspective on hot buttons and ideas for
qualitative follow-up as generated by two separate younger adult
groups. The first group consisted of younger (24-30) marketing
professionals from our four marketing departments (MDD, Brand,
Media, Promotion). The second group was made up of Whitaker Park
factory workers aged 22-25.
The ideas are grouped in terms of "hot button" or areas of high
relevancy for the younger adult market. The areas are presented in
order of how I see their overall importance (with music and sex
heading the list). The hot button approach seems to be a
particularly useful way to not just group ideas--but to help
understand why they are considered. It can also help to generate
other ideas.
While there was certainly some overlap between the ideas generated
by the two groups, I also discovered some valuable differences
stemming from their very different mindsets and socioeconomic
levels. The Reynolds professionals, for example, focused more on
frivolous ideas whose appeal laid in their complete absurdity,
silliness, and in some cases, vulgarity. The more practical minded
workers, on the other hand, put great emphasis on the importance of
being "laid back/kicked back", as ofen depicted in beer commercials
on TV. They also brought cars and racing into the picture, which
had not been mentioned by the professionals. At any rate, it
should be noted that in both cases, the participants were several
years older than the target age of 18-20, and as a result their
opinions will need to be appropriately "screened" by our Listening
Post.
OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH IDEAS:
MUSIC:
Music is clearly at the center of all younger adult smokers
lives--be they punk rockers, "country" people, or any of the groups
in between.

Mr. Alan R. Cox -2- January 21, 1985
Everyone felt that the best thing that could ever happen to an RJR
brand would be for a rock singer to smoke it, since this is
probably not a very practical idea, here are some alternatives.
Discover and sponsor tomorrow's hit i)rands by sponsoring Battle
of the Bands across the country. Winner from each goes to
national contest. RJR Brand pays for first album cut of
national winner, essentially "owning the band".
Attendants vote by writing on empty CAMEL packs.
CAMEL packs can be used as entrance fee, or to
obtain reserved seats.
Play videos from concerts in non-alcoholic bars
and on MTV.
Offer their cassettes on cartons.
Sell a limited edition of T-shirts at each concert
which can be used as entrance fee and for other
special privileges (best seats) at future concerts.
Create a CAMEL record label, like the Beatles did with Apple.
Advertise on/in record albums.
Have video vending machines where FUBYAS buy cigarettes. If
you buy an RJR brand, get a free show. Might be by the group
mentioned above.
Show musical ads for RJR brands on video jukeboxes between
songs.
Put music related items in packs.
- Rock star trading cards.
- Coupons for free MTV (good continuity program).
Concert related prizes.
- Give away tickets for best seats like radio stations do.
- Backstage passes.
- Dinner with the group.
- Party with the group afterwards (help them "trash" their
hotel room).

Mr. Alan R. Cox
-3- January 21, 1985
Free ticket in scattered packs.
Open CAMEL Ticketron stations across the country.
SEX:
Create a brand for "studs".
More specifically, create a brand for the "American Gi olo".
(A potential positioning for the reintroduced STERLING5. Note:
One Whitaker Park group of guys came up with this as a
compelling alternative to the cowboy. He would possess the
revered traits of being laid back and all-American.
Dress him like "they" want to look: Sportscoat,
thin tie, argyle socks, lace up dress shoes.
"Slick dressed and kicked back."
Show him leaning against a bar with a girl on each
side.
He would have class, but not "cold" class like
STERLING.
Related promotion ideas would include skinny ties,
an American Gigolo watch (?), designer (European
cut) bathing suit-s, an American Gigolo kit
including a watch, tie, and carton of cigarettes
for $20.00.
Send in ten packs for chance to be next CAMEL man/American
Gigolo.
In pack items or contest coupons.
- Fortunes about love life.
Win a date with a local beauty queen (for guys) or
American Gigolo/CAMEL man (for girls). Or have a
Mr. and Ms. for each RJR brand, with whom date would
be won.
HANGING OUT:
Social interaction is key for this group, yet the fact that the
drinking age is often 21 limits the number of places they can go.
The theme of the ideas here is to reach them where they hang out,
possibly even creating the place first.
0 Sponsor a hangout spot at mall.

Mr. Alan R. Cox -4- January 21, 1985
Have a CAMEL message board.
History of rock n roll.
Start a chain of NO ONE UNDER 18 OR ~OVER 21 bars.
All drinks and snacks would have CAMEL names such as
CAMEL chips and CAMEL hump drinks (one-hump, two-hump,
etc.).
Start a weekly non-alcohol night at the local cinema pub.
In rural communities, build recreation centers.
Have excellent OOH on local "strip" (e.g. Stratford Road for
Winston-Salem).
LAID BACK/KICKED BACK/IT'S COOL NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THINGS YOU
CAN T DO ANYTHING ABOUT :
FUBYAS are under -their own kind of stress and pressure which comes
with the transition to adulthood. While everyone agrees that not
getting "stressed" and being in control are at the bottom of the
Marlboro cowboy's appeal, the only idea directly related to being
laid back that came up was the American Gigolo idea, already
mentioned.
FREEDOM/REBELLION/DEFIANCE:
Every FUBYAS needs a way to rebel, I've been told. Wearing one's
hair in a way that turns off your parents is one relatively
harmless way. Going all the way to punk is a more extreme way.
Horses and motorcycles were felt by the factory workers to
symbolize total freedom.
Win your own apartment or condo so you can leave home earlier.
Free rental car.
A week's vacation for FUBYAS parents, to get them out of the
house, and a free clean up crew just before they return.
GROTESQUE/ABSURD/SILLY/"NEW WAVE":
The appeal of the absurd for FUBYAS seems to be epitomized by the
Rocky Horror Picture Show. It is absolutely ridiculous, and it
allows the audience to actually become part of the act. (Also, the
music is very good.)
Have a CAMEL pack play a role in the next Rocky Horror Show, so
attendees will all come equipped with their Camels.

Mr. Alan R. Cox
January 21, 1985
Do 3-D spectacular boards requiring 3-D glasses for full
effect--available through a brand promotion.
Tacky gift ideas include pink flamingo,s and other take-offs on
the fifties.
Ad/poster showing crowd of look-alike cowboys with one new wave
person in center--"can you find the CAMEL smoker?".
While not as extreme, the following ideas
and making fun.
are also based on humor
Win item of clothing worn by someone famous.
Make use of the personified CAMEL from Europe.
Sponsor a comedy group that would make fun of RJR/PM brands.
Have a "make fun of a CAMEL ad" contest, or
your leastfavorite RJR brand".
Do a CAMEL country campaign.
Have a promotion with an undesirable trip.
- Marlboro country.
- Youngstown, Ohio..
«
write an essay on
Have a "who sponsored the sweepstakes sweepstakes" where all
questions or prizes are CAMEL related or take offs on other
brands.
Show an RJR ad with lines and explanations pointing to all the
legal restrictions, similarly to the OSHA cowboy ad.
Do a variety of ads showing the CAMEL man in a superior
situation over the Marlboro man. (In other words, have an
all-out war in print media.)
CAMEL man
(cartoon) chasing the Marlboro.
WINSTON rescuers rescuing the Marlboro mfn after he
fell off his horse, etc.
STONED/POP MYSTICISM/ESCAPINC INTO YOUR IMAGINATION:
This area is probably most relevant for the group of FUBYAS called
"the heads".

,.,
~ " Mr. Alan R. Cox -6-,~ January 21, 1985
Make up riddles about the CAMEL pack such that it is a fad to
"get into" CAMEL packs.
Put mystical sayings or riddles on the.back side of the paper.
LIVING ON TNE EDGE:
Play up CAMEL's strength, making it the JACK DANIELS of
cigarettes.
- Make non-filters "in" again. (Not only are they potent
and disgusting but they differentiate the men from the
women--something that is increasingly difficult to do.
Use the Harley Davidson in ads or for promos.
"IN CLOTHING":
To be used in ads or for promotions.
Parachute pants (slick material, lots of pockets).
Camaflouge clothing (the military is coming back).
- A camaflouge pack.
Tight legged pants and high heels.
For punk rockers, things to pin on their clothes and day-glo
colors.
High cut women's
bathing suits.
CUSTOM CARS AND MOTORCYCLES:
Although no specific ideas fell into this area, it is worth noting
as a potential "hot button".
Among the blue collar community, custom cars, four-wheel drives,
and motorcycles are very important. Examples of custom care are
revved up Camaros, Mustangs, RX7's, etc. Bikes currently have a
similar appeal. No longer the rugged strong machines of the past,
they are now considered sleek and sporty.
Four-wheel drives and "mudslingers" are also in (big Chevrolet
trucks are cool, Ford trucks are not) and there are even such
things as "four wheeling" clubs.

Mr. Alan R. Cox -7- Ja'Ruary 21, 1985
PRICE/LIMITED MONEY:
Although it is cool to say you are not materialistic, the FUBYAS of
today are when you take into consideratioq their love for expensive
cars and audio/video equipment.
Any savings on cigarettes or opportunities to save on important
items, therefore, could be relevant.
30 cigarettes/pack.
Priced lower than Marlboro.
Money back refund at store if not pleased.
Coupons for free junk food (Wendy's, etc.).
I.O.U.'s on packs to be used when funds are low, e.g. just
before payday.
Coupons for records, tapes, MTV (mentioned under "music").
Coupons good for weekly late show or week's worth of CAMEL
packs gets you in.
Promotion that lets respondent think he is ripping off the
company or getting away with something.
Call an 800f. Operator flirts and offers you
three free packs instead of one.
Win a water bed (could also fall under "sex" or "sharing
experiences"...).
Coupons good toward rental of VCR's and movie video cassettes.
SHARING EXPERIENCES/FRIENDS:
Having a network of close friends and belonging is vital.
Promotions could focus therefore on prizes you can share with your
friends.
Beach cottage for a week.
A party for you and 100 closest friends.
Win your own telephone line, or collect coupons (continuity
program) for monthly payments.

Hr. Alan R. Cox -8- January 21, 1985
Have a CAMEL club whereby you order your cigarettes through the
mail and get extra free cigarettes everytime you get a friend
to join. (MD in other words could be a "club".)
Get groups involved in collecting pa*cks/coupons toward a
common goal.
Charter a bus for a distant concert.
Support a hockey "booster club" with good seats,
parties with the team, travel accommodations.
Charter buses/RV's for traveling clubs.
Equipment, uniforms for volunteer firemen, rescue
squads, softball teams.
BEACH/KICKING OFF/GETTING AWAY:
Trip to Myrtle Beach/Daytona Beach.
Cottage at beach for week (to share with friends).
Own beach resorts across country.
Ads at lifeguard stations.
- He can wear CAMEL T-shirts.
A CAMEL courtesy bus at beach.
Beach stations (music, drinks, snacks).
Tubing/rafting expeditions.
- Billboards along river.
- "Soccer goal" trash cans along the way, adapted to
a brand's image.
IMMEDIACY/INSTANT GRATIFICATION/CONVENIENCE:
Success is measured in terms of today, tonight, not the future.
Always have packs next to the cash register for easy reach.
Enclose matches in every pack.

Mr. Alan R. Cox -9-__ - January 21, 1985
RACI NG:
Win the chance to be the starter (flag guy) in a race.
Or to ride in the pace car. -
Or to ride in the WINSTON car.
Or to meet the winner.
VIDEO GAMES:
RJR brands in neighboring vending machines would contain a free
video game token.
MILITARY:
Supposedly, it is coming back "in", as reflected in the current
popularity of camaflouge clothing.
Attack helicopters are currently a popular theme and could be
used in advertising.
Show a camaflouged man in ad breaking with a cigarette. Would
have face painted too.
Have a camaflouge pack, as mentioned under
Susan C. Nas/a0K,,,.
"in clothing".
ca
cc: Mr. Daniel H. Murphy
