Document Detail


The Australian cigarette brand as product, person, and symbol.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  14645952     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To examine, for dominant Australian cigarette brands, brand identity (overriding brand vision), brand positioning (brand identity elements communicated to the consumer), brand image (consumers' brand perceptions) and brand equity (financial value). DESIGN: Tobacco industry documents, articles from retail trade publications since 1990, and current brand advertising from retail trade publications were searched for information about Australian brands. RESULTS: Cigarette manufacturers benefit from their competitors' brand equity as well as their own. The industry sees Australian smokers as far less brand loyal and strongly oriented to "low tar". A few predominantly local brands dominate the market, with variation by state. Successful Australian brands exist in one of three categories: premium, mainstream, and supervalue. Their brand identity essence is as follows. Premium: quality. Mainstream: a good humoured "fair go" for ordinary Australians. Supervalue: value for money. All supervalue brand identities also include freedom, escape, mildness, an aspirational attitude, blue tones, and waterside scenes. Brand image and brand identity is frequently congruent, even when marketing is restricted, and brand image is generally more positive for a smoker's own brand. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control activities have undermined cigarette brand equity. Further research is needed regarding brand loyalty, low tar, and brand categories. Smokers may respond more positively to tobacco control messages consistent with the identities of their chosen brand, and brand-as-organisation elements may assist. Further marketing restrictions should consider all elements of brand identity, and aim to undermine brand categories.
Authors:
S M Carter
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Tobacco control     Volume:  12 Suppl 3     ISSN:  1468-3318     ISO Abbreviation:  Tob Control     Publication Date:  2003 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-12-03     Completed Date:  2004-03-19     Revised Date:  2010-04-29    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9209612     Medline TA:  Tob Control     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  iii79-86     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, Room 128A Building A27, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. carters@health.usyd.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Advertising as Topic
Australia
Humans
Marketing*
Product Labeling
Product Packaging
Smoking / psychology*
Symbolism
Tobacco Industry*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
R01 CA87110-01A1/CA/NCI NIH HHS
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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