Marlboro Brand History

The Marlboro cigarettes story began in 1847 and was marketed mainly to women in London. This marketing strategy did not go over so well. In the 1920's, Marlboro cigarettes were then introduced to the American market as the cigarette of choice for women. It was also advertised as a mild cigarette. The Marlboro cigarettes brand never gained sufficient traction amongst smokers and was eventually taken off the market during World War II. Marlboro cigarettes were reintroduced in the 1950's when many consumers began to concern themselves with the health aspects of smoking. At the time, most cigarettes were non-filtered. The Marlboro cigarettes branding position as a women's cigarette had also been reevaluated and so it was decided to market Marlboro cigarettes at men, rather that women. The 'tattooed man' campaign got under way in 1955 - the images of a more lean, healthy Marlboro cigarettes smoker and laid back outdoorsman commenced. Only very masculine men were used in ads to promote marlboro cigarettes -- often these were Naval officers or cattle ranchers. Following this, in 1954,  the cowboy was created and became the most popular marlboro cigarettes character ever. By 1963, the Marlboro cowboy became the sole character in the selling of Marlboro cigarettes. In 1972, Marlboro cigarettes are become the most popular in the world and have remained in that position for most, if not all, of the time since.