Ettan Snuff

[spirit72]

Ok, so I guess I should have read further down the board before my earlier rant about the General launch.

[spirit72]

They already have their bases covered with their dip products which are already snuff. Snus is snus, and snuff is snuff. I'll come right out and say it. Swedish Match doesn't know what the hell they're doing. If snus takes off, it'll be in spite of their efforts, and not because of them. Any success they have will be less than if they did it right.

I wonder lately how much of their problem is that they don't really know how to market their product here, because in Sweden, they barely have to market it? They're the Big Fish in a smaller pond called Sweden and Norway. But in the U.S., they find a much larger pond. It's inhabited by two Much Bigger Fish called RJ Reynolds and Altria, both of whom have nasty, big, pointy teeth. So they're now in a marketing enviornment in which they really have to sell their product.

Yet, it seems simple enough to us. I dunno, just thinkin out loud.

[lxskllr]

I wonder lately how much of their problem is that they don't really know how to market their product here, because in Sweden, they barely have to market it? They're the Big Fish in a smaller pond called Sweden and Norway. But in the U.S., they find a much larger pond. It's inhabited by two Much Bigger Fish called RJ Reynolds and Altria, both of whom have nasty, big, pointy teeth. So they're now in a marketing enviornment in which they really have to sell their product.

Yet, it seems simple enough to us. I dunno, just thinkin out loud.

You might be on to something there. I honestly don't know what the hell they're thinking though. A competent marketing dept would hang out here for awhile to see what the members here say. A clever marketing dept would sign on as a member, and try to pry more information from the members without giving up the fact that they work for SM.

[GN Tobacco Sweden AB]

I wonder lately how much of their problem is that they don't really know how to market their product here, because in Sweden, they barely have to market it? They're the Big Fish in a smaller pond called Sweden and Norway. But in the U.S., they find a much larger pond. It's inhabited by two Much Bigger Fish called RJ Reynolds and Altria, both of whom have nasty, big, pointy teeth. So they're now in a marketing enviornment in which they really have to sell their product.

Yet, it seems simple enough to us. I dunno, just thinkin out loud.

You thinking quite right and resonable

[spirit72]

You might be on to something there. I honestly don't know what the hell they're thinking though. A competent marketing dept would hang out here for awhile to see what the members here say. A clever marketing dept would sign on as a member, and try to pry more information from the members without giving up the fact that they work for SM.

Really, the more I think about it, the more I think that they're marketing a product that they haven't actually had to sell in decades. Sure, snus isnt their only thing here---they have one of the most popular loose chewing tobacco brands, and some successful 'American' dips. But snus is a completely different thing, and not only are they competing with RJR and Altria, they're competing with UST as well, which just about has the moist snuff market cornered here like Match has it cornered in Sweden.

But hell, I'm in Telecom and I don't have a marketing or sales background at all, and it seems like common sense to me. That's why it irks me so much, I guess, because I know it could be successful. Maybe we should send them our resumes.

[horus]

This is awesome. Marketing loose snus as snuff has always been the way to go.

[snusjus]

Tell the majority of American dippers you use snus, and they'll immediately reply, "That Camel stuff is for pussies!" Marketing Ettan as snuff evades that stigma, so I can sympathize with Swedish Match on their decision to call it snuff instead of snus. Perhaps the designation will be changed to snus once it becomes known that not all snus is created equal. For now, I'm perfectly content with Ettan being labeled as snuff.

I'm wondering what this summit is going to reveal. I'm predicting Swedish Match will announce national distribution of General Classic Blend and Nordic Mint. Perhaps the Ettan test-market will be expanded? I know smokeless tobacco products are often test-marketed in Ohio, so it wouldn't surprise me to see it on gas station shelves in my locale within a few months.

[bpc720]

Well, yesterday I went to the store to pick up some ettan and the fridge was empty. I was then informed that they weren't selling it anymore because no one was buying it . the guy said it was all plaid pantry locations that would no longer carry it. THIS SUCKS. back to general, and I hate general. I hope the test run went better in other cities because it apparently went badly here in portland.

[chadizzy1]

I'm wondering what this summit is going to reveal. I'm predicting Swedish Match will announce national distribution of General Classic Blend and Nordic Mint. Perhaps the Ettan test-market will be expanded? I know smokeless tobacco products are often test-marketed in Ohio, so it wouldn't surprise me to see it on gas station shelves in my locale within a few months.

We'll see. They usually don't get us together unless it's big news. We all meet up on Monday, so look for news from the bloggers on Monday night/Tuesday morning. I'll try and get info out as soon as I can.

[snusjus]

We'll see. They usually don't get us together unless it's big news. We all meet up on Monday, so look for news from the bloggers on Monday night/Tuesday morning. I'll try and get info out as soon as I can.

Awesome. Thanks for keeping all of us up-to-date on the news!

[horus]

Tell the majority of American dippers you use snus, and they'll immediately reply, "That Camel stuff is for pussies!" Marketing Ettan as snuff evades that stigma, so I can sympathize with Swedish Match on their decision to call it snuff instead of snus. Perhaps the designation will be changed to snus once it becomes known that not all snus is created equal. For now, I'm perfectly content with Ettan being labeled as snuff.

I'm wondering what this summit is going to reveal. I'm predicting Swedish Match will announce national distribution of General Classic Blend and Nordic Mint. Perhaps the Ettan test-market will be expanded? I know smokeless tobacco products are often test-marketed in Ohio, so it wouldn't surprise me to see it on gas station shelves in my locale within a few months.

Why should they market it as something unfamiliar - "snus" - when snus is just Swedish for snuff? Moist snuff is moist snuff, Swedish moist snuff is just finer, uses different flavorings, and cures the tobacco differently. I would wager that most old Copenhagen Snuff dippers would love Ettan or Grovsnus if they'd give it a dry.

[absolutvatka]

Just went to a plaid pantry in Portland, OR... I came in to find a general fridge instead! I wonder what happened there?

[truthwolf1]

I always wondered what happened to this marketing plan. It seens they scrapped these fridges nationally because of lack of sales? It would of been nice to grab some Ettan los from a couple blocks away

[eyephantom]

Scanning the thread it seems it didn't sell, which is unfortunate as I would have gladly made the trek from corvallis