HOW WILL ALTRIA’S STYLE AFFECT USSTC AND ITS MARKETING PRACTICES?
Issues to ponder concerning USSTC as an Altria Company The USSTC corporate website now resembles an Altria site with corporate social responsibility, cessation and health information prominently displayed. USSTC no longer sponsors collegiate rodeo – although it still quietly provides college rodeo scholarships. USSTC has asked a non-profit, Gifts in Kind International, to take over Operation Ranger, its program to give off-road utility vehicles to emergency responders.
USSTC CORPORATE WEBSITE
HEALTH INFO ON USSTC WEBSITE
No links to brand websites
Issues to ponder concerning USSTC as an Altria Company USSTC brands were advertised heavily in print media, online and via direct mail. Philip Morris has not bought any print ads in over 4 years. It appears that USSTC has cut back on magazine ads in the past 6-8 months. USSTC is constantly under scrutiny for its widespread sampling practices. Will that change? Marlboro is marketing Marlboro-brand Snus. Will it compete with USSTC brands? Altria is now back in the alcoholic beverage business as USSTC owns Ste. Michelle wine estates.
Moving forward: Keeping track of USSTC Monitor all aspects of the marketing – ads, direct mail, events, websites Document everything that skates the line – pictures with dates/time, first person narratives with contact info Feed the info to your state AG and to the FDA:
Victoria Almquist Director, Outreach Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Washington, DC