RJR drops print ads...

November 28, 2007 - RJR drops print ads... R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. said yesterday that it will not advertise its cigarette brands in newspapers and consumer magazines next year. The company said it will focus cigarette marketing in three areas - direct mail and Web sites to age-verified and certified adult smokers, age-restricted events and venues, and retail to adult smokers. “This was a business decision, designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our marketing programs,” said Jan Smith, a spokeswoman for Reynolds. Smith said that Reynolds takes many “industry and corporate social-responsibility issues” into consideration when making business decisions. She said that Reynolds could resume print ads depending on “changing business needs.” Most recent protests have targeted the Camel No. 9 brand extension, started in February, particularly ads in 11 women’s magazines that the groups said target females under 18. Reynolds has said that Camel No. 9 and its marketing focus on adult female smokers. (Winston Salem Journal, Richard Carver, 11/27/2007) Let's Hope this Also Includes Camel SNUS ads. Related News Briefs: Camel No.9 - October 19, 2007 and Camel SNUS - October 5, 2007. An insert in Rolling Stone magazine (November 15, 2007 issue) sponsored by Camel cigarettes is under fire from The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids because, they say, it blurs the line between advertising and editorial content — and worse yet, features cartoons. ( Antismoking Activist Calls Rolling Stone Insert ‘One Great Big Cigarette Ad,’ by Stuart Elliott, New York Times, 11/26/2007) Click on image to enlarge..