Schlagwort: 1975

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Salem Menthol Zigaretten

Es scheint ein Fluch auf den Zigaretten-Werbemotiven aus den 70er Jahren zu lasten: Wie bei der Kampagne zu Marlboro Country drängt sich angesichts der zwei jungen Herren, die hier für Salem Menthol werben, der Gedanke an Brokeback Mountain geradezu auf. Das Thema wiederholt sich, diesmal wesentlich subtiler: Zwei junge Männer, attraktiv (Frisur), sportlich (Kanu), natürlich (Zigarette?) und möglicherweise sehr einsam. Vermutlich sollte man in der PBM-Zeit (Post-Brokeback-Mountain) aber auch vorsichtig sein mit solchen Interpretationen. Wahrscheinlich wollen die zwei Jungs (Tom Selleck würd übrigens rein optisch noch sehr gut in die Runde passen – dummerweise raucht er keine Zigaretten) einfach nur die Natur genießen. Und ordentlich was wegpaffen. In den Rucksack dürften so etwa 20 Stangen Salem Menthol passen. Damit kriegt man die Lunge übers Wochenende ordentlich auf Trab. Da macht dann auch das paddeln mehr Spaß, wenn die Bronchien im Takt pfeifen. Herrlich erfrischend.

Salem Menthol
Salem erfrischt auf natürliche Art

Salem war übrigens mal eine der beliebtesten Zigarettenmarken in Amerika und kommt aus dem Hause R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR). Der Name Salem leitet sich vom Standort des RJR-Headquarters ab: Winston-Salem in North Carolina. Aufmerksamen Lesern von Christopher Buckleys Roman „Thank you for Smoking“ (sehr empfehlenswert; das Buch, nicht der Film) dürfte Winston-Salem als die Tabak-Zentrale schlechthin im Gedächtnis geblieben sein.

Update:
Die Jungs von Bellybuzz sind der Hit. Wir haben zwar geschrieben, dass Tom Selleck ganz gut in die Runde unseren Salem Menthol-Jungs hier im Artikel passen würde. Im Traum dachten wir nicht daran, dass er tatsächlich in der Riege der Salem-Werbefiguren war. Abgesehen davon ist es eine interessante Frage, warum es soviele Menschen interessiert, ob Tom Selleck schwul ist? Tom Selleck smoking
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Die Zigarettenwerbung hier ist auch lustig.

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Marlboro Man is musing

Lonely wolf seeks lonely wolf for joint walks through the hills, for tending sheep and similar activities. It’s real hard to live in Marlboro Country, isn’t it? The ad guys just ask for too much. “You are Marlboro Man, then act the part, please.” “Asshole”, Marlboro Man is thinking and acting the part. But no matter where he sets his eyes, all he sees is: countryside. They really have lots of it – unlike Manhattan or Down Town Detroit. What is Marlboro Man thinking, when he looks like this? Perhaps:

Come to where the flavour is. Come to Marlboro Contry.
Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Contry.
  • „Hopefully that damm horse is not going to piss on me.“
  • „I hate horses.“
  • „The gras is always greener at home.“
  • „Wonder what kind of clouds these are. Cirrus? Cumulus?“
  • „Next summer I get a college degree and be done with this shit.“
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Salem Menthol

Cigarette commercials of the 70s seem to be cursed: As happens with the Marlboro Country campaign, Brokeback Mountain comes into mind when one looks at the two young gentleman advertising Salem Menthol. The theme is repeating itself, but this time much more subtle: Two young men, good looking (hairstyle), active (canoe), natural (cigarettes?) and possibly very lonely. However, in the PBM-age (Post Brokeback Mountain) maybe one should be careful to interpret it this way. Perhaps the two guys (Tom Selleck would fit in very well, unfortunately he doesn’t smoke cigarettes see update below) just want to enjoy nature. And smoke. Their backpack should be large enough to carry about 20 cartons of Salem Menthol. Enough to get your lungs going for one weekend. Canoeing is so much more fun, when the windpipe blows in tune. Immensely refreshing.

Salem Menthol
Salem refreshes naturally

Salem is owned by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR). It was once one of the most successful cigarette brands in America. The name Salem refers to the hometown of RJR: Winston-Salem in North Carolina, where the company’s headquarters are located. Readers of Christopher Buckleys novel “Thank you for Smoking” (very recommendable: the book, not the movie) will remember Winston-Salem as the heartland of Tobacco.

Update:
The boys from Bellybuzz are great. Though we have sugested, Tom Selleck would fit nicely in the group of our Salem Menthol guys, we didn’t dream that he actually was one of the Salem-ad-figures. Check it out: Tom Selleck smoking.

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Come to Marlboro Country

The evergreen among cigarette commercials is not missing in our collection: Cowboys, horses, countryside – freedom. According to Philip Morris, manufacturer of Marlboro cigarettes and owner of one of the most valuable brands, men’s paradise lies just behind the vending machine. Take your cigarettes, get on the horse and into the hills.

Marlboro Country
"Come to Marlboro Country"1975 US ad campaign

There is more than the scent of freedom and cigarette smoke blowing over the hills. Since 2005, you may also feel the warming aura of real comradeship. What cinema visitor hasn’t experienced it: As soon as Marlboro Man is riding into view, pictures from “Brokeback Mountain” force themselves into the head. Ennis’ and Jack’s hopeless love couldn’t be more tragic than what is happening since to advertising strategists. Marlboro Man, the embodiment of male toughness, is now associated with cuddling cowboys. Cigarettes? No way, José – even though the two of them were smoking quite a lot. Marlboro Country? A real dilemma. I am curious, how Philip Morris and Marlboro get out of this. To anybody who wants to learn more about Marlboro-Man and the machinations of the tobacco industry, I recommend reading “Thank you for smoking” from Christopher Buckley. Clever, funny, hilarious – the book, not the movie.

Maybe you’ll also like another smoking post: Marloboro Man is musing