Joe Camel: Postmortem of a brand spokesperson

Dialogue about the use and impact of Joe Camel has dissipated since RJ Reynolds retired the advertising campaign in 1997.

Joe Camel: Postmortem of a brand spokesperson

Marc G. Weinberger

University of Massachusetts

Harlan E. Spotts

Western New England College

Ereni Markos

Quinnipiac University

Introduction

The 11th of July 1997 was a historic day, for it was the day that one of the most controversial figures in advertising history died; Joe Camel was no more. Some members of social advocacy groups may have been euphoric, celebrating a victory in their war on tobacco and teenage smoking. Others within the industry lamented the demise of Joe, a celebrity who was responsible for transforming the Camel cigarette brand from ‘old-fashioned and stodgy’...

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