Category: Marketing

Vaporesso Unveils New Logo

Vaporesso revealed its new logo during the Vapexpo event in Lille, France. The China-based vaping device manufacturer’s new logo features the letter “V” at the forefront, encircled behind by the letter “O.”
The “O” symbolizes a vapor ring that opens up. Beyond the visual, the “O” also represents the joy, love and hope that the brand brings. The “V” symbolizes the passion that characterizes the vaping community. It is an ode to the vapers that Vaporesso has built and grown alongside, according to a press release.
“‘V’ and ‘O’ are the defining symbols for Vaporesso. On our journey to push the envelope, we hold onto a craftsman’s heart and ambition. With our in-house tech and expertise, we will grow along with our users and exceed expectations and limitations,” says Thalia Cheng, chief marketing officer of Vaporesso.
The presentation of the new logo is the first step in a rebranding campaign. Also during Vapexpo, Vaperesso introduced its latest technology and products. New products included the iTank with its patented Turbo Airflow System, the GTi coil platform and the GEN 200, 8S and FIT.
Vaporesso recently launched its first flagship store in Marseille, France, in December 2021. Vaporesso also plans to open stores in Paris and other major French cities.
April 12, 2022
P&K Presents New Brand Strategy
Phillips & King International has announced a new brand identity and wholesale e-commerce platform.
A contemporary refinement of the company’s “shield and knight” badge, the new logo signifies Phillips & King’s mission to modernize the business while paying homage to its 116-year history.
Phillips & King has embarked on a complete digital transformation of its business to better serve the evolving needs of its retail customers and brand partners. Over the course of this year, the company will be launching a host of enhancements to its business, including a new web platform expected to launch in the second quarter that will make it easier for stores to discover and stock products. Phillips & King will also be expanding its product and category assortment to give emerging brands the ability to reach more buyers.
“The future of B2B wholesale commerce is both digital and highly personalized,” says Jason Carignan, president of Phillips & King. “Our new web platform will enable us to more easily connect buyers and sellers across the industry and offer a more expansive array of products and categories—all while improving the personal connection our sales teams have with customers.
“We believe that retailers should be able to manage their entire business with ease from their mobile device and have access to business intelligence—and expert guidance—that helps drive inventory-buying decisions. This new platform is the first step in our quest to helping stores thrive in the new retail reality.”
Phillips & King is a subsidiary of Kretek International.
January 20, 2022
Swiss to Vote on Advertising Restrictions

Photo: jivimages
On Feb. 13, Swiss voters will decide on a popular initiative that calls for greater restrictions on tobacco advertising, reports SWI.
The initiative aims to ban tobacco and e-cigarette advertising wherever children and adolescents might see it, for example in the press, on posters, on the internet or at events. Advertising directed only at adults or shown in places to which minors have no access would still be allowed.
For the Federal Council and Parliament, the initiative goes too far, however. They are opposing it with an indirect counter-proposal in the form of the new Tobacco Products Act. The new rules would ban advertising of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on billboards and in cinemas. In addition, tobacco companies would no longer be permitted to give away free cigarettes or to sponsor international events in Switzerland under the counterproposal. Advertising at kiosks, in the press or on the internet would still be possible, except when aimed at minors, and the sponsorship of national events would still be permitted.
The new Tobacco Products Act can come into force regardless of the outcome of the vote on the popular initiative. But if the popular initiative is approved, federal authorities will be required to adapt the law to respond to the new requirements.
Switzerland has one of the weakest tobacco control regimes in Europe. The 2019 Tobacco Control Scale ranked Switzerland second from bottom overall and last in terms of restrictions on tobacco advertising. In addition, Switzerland is the only European country not to have ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
At present, the advertising of tobacco products is permitted, subject to certain restrictions. Tobacco advertising on radio and television and advertising aimed specifically at minors is banned. Most cantons have brought in more far-reaching bans, prohibiting tobacco advertising on billboards and in cinemas, for example, or stopping tobacco companies from sponsoring events.
Critics attribute the country’s weak tobacco laws to the fact that Switzerland is home to leading cigarette manufacturers, such as Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International. About a quarter of the Swiss population smokes, including around 100,000 people aged 15 to 19.
January 5, 2022
Quebec: Court Upholds Vape Ad Ban

Photo: Matthew Benoit
A panel of three Court of Appeals judges unanimously reversed the parts of a 2019 Quebec Superior Court decision that struck down some provisions of the Tobacco Control Act pertaining to vaping products, reports Global News.
The Quebec Superior Court had ruled that some of the province’s restrictions on vaping products, such as banning advertising, went too far because they could possibly prevent smokers from switching to noncombustible products.
The appeals court judges cited research from the World Health Organization and other experts regarding the rise in youth vaping rates, ruling that the Quebec government has the right to limit potential effects of advertising on youth and nonsmokers.
“In this case, it was therefore reasonable for the legislator to intervene to limit the potential effect of electronic cigarette advertising, especially on young people,” Justice Benoit Moore wrote on behalf of the panel. “The risks associated with the fact that the vaping industry is evolving and that it is gradually being taken over by the tobacco companies cannot be excluded from the analysis of the legislator.”
The court also upheld the right to ban vaping product demonstrations inside shops or specialized clinics.
November 18, 2021
Social Media Asked to Ban Pouch Promotions

Photo: Julien Eichinger
Over 100 public health and other organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have called on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter to end the promotion of nicotine pouches on their platforms, including paid influencer promotion.
In a letter to the CEOs of the respective companies, the organizations urge the social media companies to immediately update their existing advertising policies to prohibit tobacco companies from targeting youth with nicotine pouch advertisements. Content promoting nicotine pouches is not explicitly prohibited by any of the platforms’ current policies, according to the letter.
“For years, tobacco companies have used social media platforms to advertise highly addictive products to young people,” said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement. “Social media platforms have a responsibility to protect their users from the predatory marketing tactics of Big Tobacco—it’s time for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter to end their complicity in Big Tobacco’s campaign to addict the next generation.”
October 27, 2021
JOB Collaboration With Rap Mogul Birdman

Photo: Republic
Republic’s JOB rolling papers brand is launching a line of products in collaboration with rap mogul Birdman’s $TUNNA brand.
“When we learned that Birdman was a fan of our historic JOB rolling papers brand, we knew that JOB’s creativity-focused premium style would match perfectly with his luxury lifestyle and personal brand,” said Paul Marobella, president and chief marketing officer of Republic, in a press note. “JOB has long been a cultural icon and a favorite in rolling circles, and we look forward to that continuing through our partnership with the music industry legend Birdman and his Cash Money Records.”
JOB x $TUNNA Champagne rolling papers feature organic hemp paper sourced from Champagne, France, and will be sold in 1¼ and 1½ booklets. Following the launch, JOB x $TUNNA plans to expand its line to include cones, accessories and apparel.
Republic will debut JOB x $TUNNA Organic Hemp Rolling Papers at the CHAMPS Las Vegas trade show, July 27–30, 2021. JOB x $TUNNA products are available for presale at the Republic Brands booth (#5205) prior to the product’s official launch date in September 2021.
In addition, Republic Brands’ top customers will get access to an exclusive concert sponsored by JOB x $TUNNA featuring Gucci Mane on July 29.
Bryan Williams, known by his stage name Birdman, is an entrepreneur, rapper and record producer who is the public face of one of the most successful record labels in hip-hop history, Cash Money Records. Birdman has released four solo albums in his career and has mentored many famous artists, most notably his protege Lil Wayne.
JOB rolling papers was founded in 1838 by Jean Bardou of Perpignan, France, where Bardou introduced the first rolling paper booklet to the world.
Since then, JOB has continued producing its high-quality rolling papers with the core principles of sustainability, craft and stewardship.

Bryan Williams, known by his stage name Birdman, is an entrepreneur, rapper and record producer who is the public face of one of the most successful record labels in hip-hop history, Cash Money Records. Birdman has released four solo albums in his career, and has mentored many famous artists, most notably his protege Lil Wayne. (Photo: Business Wire)
July 23, 2021
Italy Scrutinizes BAT Social Media Activities

Photo: Panuwat D
The Italian Competition Authority has launched an inquiry into BAT’s social media activities, reports Market Watch.
According to the regulator, three Italian influencers who had a commercial agreement with BAT Italia posted content related to BAT’s Glo Hyper tobacco-heating device without disclaiming the promotional nature of the posts.
The antitrust section of Italy’s financial crime investigation unit reportedly carried out an inspection at BAT’s offices on May 27.
June 2, 2021
Academic Journal Criticized for ‘Juul Issue’

Photo: Tada Images
Academics and anti-smoking charities have criticized The American Journal of Health Behavior for publishing its “Special Issue on Juul,” reports BMJ.
The papers in the special issue focus on the implications of switching to Juul products from combustible cigarettes as well as dual use of combustible cigarettes and Juul products.
The special issue was sponsored by Juul Labs. Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris USA, has a minority stake in Juul. The issue was coordinated and edited by Saul Shiffman, a Pinney Associates consultant. Pinney Associates has provided consulting services to British American Tobacco and Reynolds American.
May 18, 2021
Dutch Investigate PMI Over Smoke-Free ‘Ad’

Photo: Arkadiusz Fajer
The Dutch food safety body NVWA is investigating a campaign by Philip Morris International (PMI) to promote smoke-free alternatives, reports DutchNews.
PMI has launched a new website for the products and promoted it with a page advert in the Telegraaf at the weekend. In that advert, the company said Dutch smokers have the right to information about smoke-free alternatives.
While not mentioning the products by name, the advertisement does include the company’s brand name. Advertising tobacco products is illegal in the Netherlands.
The NVWA investigation follows complaints by anti-smoking groups. If found to have broken the ban, PMI could be fined up to €450,000 ($546,010).
May 7, 2021
JTI Accused of Stealth ‘Social’ Advertising

Photo: Panuwat D
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has accused Japan Tobacco International (JTI) of placing stealth advertisements for its tobacco products on Facebook and Instagram in Germany. Germany bans marketing tobacco to teenagers, and the social media platforms prohibit ads or branded content that promotes tobacco-related products.
JTI reportedly set up social media pages that look like lifestyle groups, appearing to center on events, travel and music. The pages were said to promote Camel, American Spirit and Winston cigarettes.
According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, “These pages—which are listed under ‘festival’ and ‘community’ in Facebook’s transparency section—use the fonts, color schemes and imagery associated with the brands without making any affiliation explicit, a technique known as alibi marketing.
“The practice appears designed as a workaround to skirt both Facebook’s rules and the German law stating that it is ‘illegal to use promotional information that is likely to encourage juveniles and young adults to engage in [tobacco] consumption.’”
“Our social media accounts represent customary activities within our industry,” JTI responded. “We use age restriction options on our platforms so that minors cannot visit our pages. Our closed communities are only accessible to registered adult smokers.”
The pages require users to enter their names, dates of birth and addresses, which are checked against official German records.
Facebook said no ad brought to its attention violated its policy.
April 27, 2021