NAATPN Tobacco Industry Alert: 2007 KOOL Tour Begins
This year, R.J. Reynolds will proceed with its manipulative marketing tactics by targeting young African American artists. Reynolds will rely on Black leaders in the music industry to advertise and increase sales of KOOL cigarettes in Black communities. For February, 37 events have been posted in twenty major cities across the United States. The number of events is anticipated to peak at 700-800 by the end of 2007 (with KOOL's New Jazz Philosophy Tour expected to return for its third year this summer). The number of targeted cities will also increase throughout the year. Free KOOL products will be distributed at the events.
Some of the events include the following:
- Concerts & after parties featuring artists like Jamie Foxx, Kanye West, P. Diddy, Akon, Musiq Soulchild, Jaguar Wright, Robin Thicke, New Edition, and several other young Black musicians that are noted for their respectful lyrics and messages to young people about the preservation of self and life
-Comedy shows featuring BET Comic View Comedians
-Fashion and Talent Shows
-Holiday Celebrations such as Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras
Marketing:
- Promotional media includes advertising at retail, direct mail, Black publications such as Essence, King, and Rolling Stone Magazines, and the KOOL website
- Website: Kool.com – visitors must reveal critical direct marketing information such as their full name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address in order to get into the site
Click the link to download an Excel document (updated June 4, 2007) listing KOOL events by targeted city and state. This list will be updated periodically, so return frequently for updates. NAATPN has created a toolkit to counter-market these events. For more information, contact La Tanisha Wright, NAATPN Associate Director for Surveillance, at 972-821-9524 or latanisha.wright@gmail.com.
(Events, dates, and locations are subject to change without notice.)
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