Several weeks ago the tobacco giant launched delicate and super slim Marlboro Gold Edge, a new style of flagship Marlboro brand, the number one cigarette brand across the world. This week Philip Morris Sales & Marketing announced the introduction of the latest styles of major drive brands – Bond and Virginia.
The new-comer to Bond Street Selection is named Bond Street One, and accounts for the smallest amount of nicotine and tar in the brand line, with only 0.1mg of nicotine per cigarette. The new variety will be selling in the same price segment as other Bond cigarettes.
Philip Morris decided to launch Bond Street One after examining the results of several market researches which had demonstrated that Bond cigarettes have performed impressively in European tobacco market, gaining an outstanding 1% of market share last year, but still have plenty of market space to occupy, but only if launching a low-tar style, for those adult smokers who are willing to have a lighter smoke.
Frederick Stahl, the marketing director for Philip Morris Europe Sales &Marketing admitted that they have been impressed by the sales of Bond cigarettes, especially in Eastern Europe, so basing on this success they decided to launch an additional variety of Bond cigarettes.
Currently, Bond trails only Red & White and Viceroy, being on the third place in the list of best-selling cigarettes in the low-cost segment.
Besides Bond, Philip Morris has also re-introduced Virginia Slims Uno, after applying several changes to the design of the packs and a new marketing concept. These two styles are intended for modern adult forward-looking female smokers willing to differ from the major part of women.
Mr. Stahl said that Virginia Super Slims have been very popular among female smokers across Europe, and the response to the two more exclusive styles – Virginia Slims Uno Black and Virginia Slims Uno White has been very positive, as women-smokers have been delighted with the revolutionary pack design and charming vanilla smell of these ultra slim cigarettes.
Last year, Virginia trademark was awarded with a gold medal in the prestigious international tobacco contest “Brand of the Year” in the premium segment.
Philip Morris marketing director said that the company’s new product lines demonstrate the intention of the company to boost the leadership position in all the segments of European tobacco market.
The company which is well-known to the adult smokers with such outstanding brands as Marlboro, L&M, Bond Street, Chesterfield and Virginia currently has a 38.4% share in European tobacco market.
The new pack design for Bond and Virginia Uno was developed by the well-known graphic designers Tong McKnew and Stuart Eadie Design from Switzerland.
According to Frederic Stahl, in 2008, Philip Morris International began modifying and adding new styles to more than a half of all brands in its portfolio. This policy is dictated by many factors, including the evolving requirements of adult smokers, a more sensitive attitude to consumer expectations and the growing competition in the cigarette market.