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The internet
presents an opportunity for tobacco companies to generate awareness of their
products, reinforce imagery for their brands -- and collect names of interested
customers. To this date, however, most tobacco companies have refrained
from using the web as an aggressive marketing presence.
BAT/Imperial
Tobacco
In Canada, Imperial
Tobacco is the only company which owns web-sites associated with its leading
brands (du Maurier and Players).
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| www.dumaurierartscouncil.ca
is a relatively modest web-site which advertises Imperial Tobacco's
support of the arts (and its brand image of red sophistication!). |
www.players-racing.com
is a more adventurous site, containing scores of pictures, downloads and
contest information. It sports the distinctive Player's blue livery. |
This screensaver is
among hundreds offered
at BAT's www.players-racing.com
(click to enlarge)
Reemstma
Most tobacco
companies do not appear to be using the web to promote their brands and
imagery. A notable exception to this general diffidence is Reemstma, who's
web-site for West cigarettes includes chat-rooms, games -- and lots of pictures
of semi-naked women.
By
playing on the West website you can adopt a
cartoon-persona, or
can play games to:
Gain power for the cyclist by picking up packages of cigarettes. |
Lose points in this shooting gallery game if you accidentally hit the
cigarettes instead of your enemies! |
Scoop up designer packages of West cigarettes
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Melt the snow from this this buxom santa by throwing flame from your
lighter!. |
This elf is looking for your help to defeat the obstacles and reach
his cigarettes! |
Make the bikini-clad car wash attendants giggle by spraying them with
water! |
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Reemstma
is licensed to distribute Benson & Hedges in Germany, which it
promotes through a web-site more 'sophisticated' than the West
site.
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