Marlboro sent me a letter.. You won't believe it

[EricHill78]

Well I called and no luck. Full on Sunday. I could take a day off but I'd be out more money that they are giving. I had to give it a shot. I know they are sellin that crap all over the US. So maybe one of our fellow snusers will be getting an invite and my advice to call ASAP. You know none or the people going probably never tried real snus. Hopefully they'll have the mind to do the research I did and order some real snus. I was lookin forward to slamming a can of general on the table and exclaiming "This is real snus, crafted in Sweden, accept no imitations!!" lol not that far but woulda been funny.

[ChaoticGemini]

I think it's BS that we need a "gap" snus. So far, out of about 15 smokers in my husband's squadron, only 2 did not like proper snus. It is simply a matter of steering them into the right choices for their current taste buds. I have a few questions I ask them and then make an assortment to compliment their tastes with 2 to 3 portions of 5 to 10 different flavors. I forewarn them they will probably not like every one, but there should be at least one good snus in the mix. Examples: Never bother giving a menthol smoker something like Grov and never give a regular smoker wintergreen. They may eventually like these flavors, but they do not make a good start. Stay clear of making someones first snus something juicy and most women prefer minis in a work setting. The biggest limitation of making full converts is that most people don't want to have to place orders every time they need more. Some people are even too far from a General retailer to make that an option. I also think Redman would be a bad thing, because the biggest issue smokers have is the paranoia that it is like dip/chew.
Anyone know if the advertising limitations apply to all forms? I'm thinking ads in something like playboy/girl could possibly give more explanation and exposure to proper snus. Also, if someone were motivated enough, there are ways to manipulate the media to explain snus. I would be happy to consult about the media route offline if someone was interested.

[snusgetter]

I think it's BS that we need a "gap" snus. So far, out of about 15 smokers in my husband's squadron, only 2 did not like proper snus. It is simply a matter of steering them into the right choices for their current taste buds. I have a few questions I ask them and then make an assortment to compliment their tastes with 2 to 3 portions of 5 to 10 different flavors. I forewarn them they will probably not like every one, but there should be at least one good snus in the mix. Examples: Never bother giving a menthol smoker something like Grov and never give a regular smoker wintergreen. They may eventually like these flavors, but they do not make a good start. Stay clear of making someones first snus something juicy and most women prefer minis in a work setting. The biggest limitation of making full converts is that most people don't want to have to place orders every time they need more. Some people are even too far from a General retailer to make that an option. I also think Redman would be a bad thing, because the biggest issue smokers have is the paranoia that it is like dip/chew.
Anyone know if the advertising limitations apply to all forms? I'm thinking ads in something like playboy/girl could possibly give more explanation and exposure to proper snus. Also, if someone were motivated enough, there are ways to manipulate the media to explain snus. I would be happy to consult about the media route offline if someone was interested.

There are a few issues to consider within your post:

• It is simply a matter of steering them into the right choices for their current taste buds.
  This involves personal involvement, usually one-on-one. Ain't gonna work in a retail setting, especially a busy one.
• Anyone know if the advertising limitations apply to all forms?
  The law makes no differentiation between media use (except for the interwebs until one agency or another decides to make a case).
• I'm thinking ads in something like playboy/girl could possibly give more explanation and exposure to proper snus.
  The ads can't stray from the rules but 'editorial content' has no such constraints.
• Also, if someone were motivated enough, there are ways to manipulate the media to explain snus.
  Again, this would come under the heading of 'editorial content.'

Black and White? More like different shades of gray!

[LaZeR]

...I'm thinking ads in something like playboy/girl could possibly give more explanation and exposure to proper snus...

Actually it was playboy that I got my 1st camel snus freebie coupon awhile back.

[snusgetter]

Actually it was playboy that I got my 1st camel snus freebie coupon awhile back.

I'll bet there was no mention on the coupon itself of what it is and its purported
benefits (other than something like 'for when you can't smoke').

???:

[LaZeR]

I'll bet there was no mention on the coupon itself of what it is and its purported
benefits (other than something like 'for when you can't smoke').

???:

True.

[c.nash]

I got a bunch of those camel coupons awhile back, used them all before I found swedish snus.

Some swedish brands need to have coupons in american magazines...

[ChaoticGemini]

There are a few issues to consider within your post:

• It is simply a matter of steering them into the right choices for their current taste buds.
  This involves personal involvement, usually one-on-one. Ain't gonna work in a retail setting, especially a busy one.
• Anyone know if the advertising limitations apply to all forms?
  The law makes no differentiation between media use (except for the interwebs until one agency or another decides to make a case).
• I'm thinking ads in something like playboy/girl could possibly give more explanation and exposure to proper snus.
  The ads can't stray from the rules but 'editorial content' has no such constraints.
• Also, if someone were motivated enough, there are ways to manipulate the media to explain snus.
  Again, this would come under the heading of 'editorial content.'

Black and White? More like different shades of gray!

1. it could work to steer people in a retail setting to good flavors. I have about a 70% accuracy just knowing what brand people smoke. Cans could be designed/colored in a way to attract certain tendencies in people.
2. bummer about the ads in a place that is not supposed to be "for the children"
3. yep, "editorial content' is one way, but I hate that phrase because it implies immediate bias.

[GoVegan]

I'll bet there was no mention on the coupon itself of what it is and its purported
benefits (other than something like 'for when you can't smoke').

???:

Good point - "Get The Pleasure Without The Smoke" could have just as easily been a slogan for KY jelly!

[snusjus]

The Marlboro survey is not about improving it's snus. They simply want to know about demographics and how many are willing to try their snus. They will give you a gift bag with every Marlboro snus flavor (might as well throw it away) and a $50 Mastercard. The deal is worth it, since fifty bucks is alot for one hour of your time.

[snusgetter]

Good point - "Get The Pleasure Without The Smoke" could have just as easily been a slogan for KY jelly!

Or any of LaZeR's toys!!

[snusgetter]

1. it could work to steer people in a retail setting to good flavors. I have about a 70% accuracy just knowing what brand people smoke. Cans could be designed/colored in a way to attract certain tendencies in people.
2. bummer about the ads in a place that is not supposed to be "for the children"
3. yep, "editorial content' is one way, but I hate that phrase because it implies immediate bias.

There's no doubt that packaging is instrumental in establishing 'eye candy' appeal; just look through the aisles at any supermarket, especially at items placed at eye-level. Lots of vibrant colors that do catch the shopper's eye. But without any indication of what the product really is, and the alleged benefits thereof, it's pass-me-by time and on to something else.

Concerning snus, packaging can certainly catch the eye of the customer but if there is no indication, even by signage, of what the product is then it really is for naught.

Camel and Marlboro have the advantage of name recognition worldwide, and are readily associated with tobacco. The only thing that gives any indication of what their snus is for, are the slogans: "For when you can't smoke."; "Get the pleasure without the smoke."; "Not Cigs. Not Dip. New Snus." These slogans, along with stylish packaging and name recognition, can entice a smoker to give them a try. What's especially effective in these cases is that there is no indication of smoke cessation so the buyer thinks, "Hey isn't it great that Camel/Marlboro are thinking about me and helping me get through those inconvenient times when I can't light up! If I do decide to quit I'll just get me some o' them NRT patches. Sweeet!!"

General and all the other Swedish/Norwegian (i.e., non-American) snus really don't have the name recognition of Camel or Marlboro. Hell, they're even banned throughout much of the EU!! Sure, WE know these brands because of our interwebs research but the average Joe would be, rightly, clueless. No amount of sprightly designed packaging, by itself, and without the benefits of touting their harm-reduction benefits, are going to make a dent in the marketplace. If they could be sold alongside the approved NRT products, that would be a totally different ballgame.

ChaoticGemini, I have no doubts of your abilities as stated. In a non-chaotic (no pun intended!) setting I'm sure you'd do right by any inquisitive mind that would venture into your force-field. A gas station, a supermarket, and such, are not conducive to any kind of personal attention to the degree you want to attain. A setting similar to a health food store, on the other hand, would be most appropriate. I know where you're coming from but realistically the probability of attainment is not very high. And you are but one individual. Give us thousands of clones and we'll take on the world!

I got a bunch of those camel coupons awhile back, used them all before I found swedish snus.
Some swedish brands need to have coupons in american magazines...

This would only work if the magazine's issue also featured editorial content (i.e., a write-up, an article) that explained all, or at least the main, benefits of snus. The ROI would be negligible without some kind of appealing discourse. The immediate bias here could be largely positive, or even neutral.



Just my .

[myuserid]

Good point - "Get The Pleasure Without The Smoke" could have just as easily been a slogan for KY jelly!

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!

That was hilarious.

[Langdell]

Or any of LaZeR's toys!!

Except some of them do smoke.

[snusgetter]

Except some of them do smoke.

Sounds exciting!!

Pics??