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Remember Cigarette Advertising?

  • Rod Schwartz
    • 994 posts
    April 3, 2010 12:15 PM PDT
    Radio and television advertising for tobacco products was banned effective January 1, 1971.

    I'm sure the older members of this forum have used the "Winston Tastes Good" jingle on numerous occasions to demonstrate the staying power of a memorable slogan set to music. 

    "Winston Tastes Good Like a Cigarette Should.
    Winston Tastes Good Like a <snap, snap> Cigarette Should."

    Remember the Marlboro Man?   He helped the brand transition from broadcast (cue the Theme from The Magnificent Seven..."You get a lot to like with a Marlboro. Filter, flavor, pack or box.") to billboards, magazines, and newspaper ads and enabled the iconic brand to whiz -- or wheeze -- past Winston and take its place as the #1 selling brand in America. 

    I was fascinated today to find this blog post from WNYC public radio, commemorating the anniversary of the Tobacco Ban.  Their archivist provided examples of four cigarette commercials (mainly of the singing variety) - Camel, Kent, Newport, and Winston. 

    What I found fascinating listening to these ads is that apart from the reference to menthol in the Newport ad, the messages were all of the cliche-ridden fill-in-the-blank variety.  Only the tune and repetition of the name made it adhere to the brand.  The writer observed, "we've come a long way, baby."  Have we?

    If you're a student of advertising, you might enjoy reading the post and listening to the spots.

    Anyone else still remember old cigarette jingles/slogans?
  • David G. Stern
    • 41 posts
    September 25, 2013 4:28 PM PDT

    Show us your Lark Pack comes to mind.  The Malboro Man.  "A Silly Millimeter Longer" are two others.

    I have had ill thoughts toward RAB and NAB since then for never mounting a fierce and ongoing fight as to

    the constitutionality of that ban. Either get them off all advertising or leave it alone.

     

    The only positive I get out of it is to sometimes suggest to an advertiser that the Federal Government has proven the effectiveness of Radio and TV over all forms of advertising.  We are so powerful, so effective, that it was not fair to our weaker brethren. It usually gets a chuckle but often results in some dialog as to the effectiveness of my station.

     

    I to this day believe that we are treated unfairly. I do not smoke, I don't like smoke filled rooms. But it is a legally  distributed product and therefore should be allowed to be advertised wherever a client wishes.