Marlboro sponsorship in Champ Car (also known as ‘CART’ and ‘IndyCar’ at that time) dates back to 1986. The Penske cars in the Indy Racing League (IRL) currently run in Marlboro’s distinctive red and white colors. In 2006, a Marlboro sponsored car won the Indianapolis 500. For the 2007 season, Marlboro had ended their sponsorship of the Penske Cars. The Penske team will retain the color scheme. Where ‘Marlboro Penske’ appeared on the side of the cars, ‘Team Penske’ replaced it. Although Marlboro does not sponsor Team Penske, Philip Morris USA is still Team Penske’s main sponsor.

Marlboro also sponsored the Australian Marlboro Holden Dealer Team from 1974 through to 1984. The Marlboro branding gave rise to some of Australia’s most prominently recognizable race cars such as the L34 and A9X Torana, as well as the VK Group C «Big Banger» Commodore.

In Motorcycling Grand Prix, Marlboro sponsored the Yamaha team in 500cc and 250cc class. Marlboro currently sponsors the Ducati MotoGP. As of the 2009 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, they are only allowed to put the Marlboro brand the bikes in Qatar.

Marlboro also has a long history in rallying sponsorship, including with the factory World Rally Championship teams of Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Peugeot. During the 2007 GP2 Series Season, ART Grand Prix was also sponsored by Marlboro.

Marlboro are generally credited as being among the most important of sponsors to the world of Formula 1 (and motor racing in general) in terms of the amount of financial backing given to various competitors. In mid 2006, special «racing editions» of Marlboro Red were sold in the UK, with a Ferrari inspired design, although the Ferrari name and badge were not used.

List of Marlboro brand varieties change change source US varieties

• Marlboro Red Pack
• Marlboro Red Pack 72’s
• Marlboro Red Pack 100’s
• Marlboro Red Label (Medium)
• Marlboro Red Label 100’s (Medium)
• Marlboro Gold Pack (Light)
• Marlboro Gold Pack 72’s (Light)
• Marlboro Gold Pack 100’s (Light)
• Marlboro Silver Pack (Ultra Light)
• Marlboro Silver Pack 72’s (Ultra Light)
• Marlboro Silver Pack 100’s (Ultra Light)
• Marlboro Blend No. 27
• Marlboro Virginia Blend
• Marlboro Virginia Blend 100’s
• Marlboro Special Blend Red
• Marlboro Special Blend Red 100’s
• Marlboro Special Blend Gold
• Marlboro Special Blend Gold 100’s
• Marlboro Menthol
• Marlboro Menthol 72’s
• Marlboro Menthol 100’s
• Marlboro Menthol Blue Pack (Mild)
• Marlboro Menthol Blue Pack 72’s (Mild)
• Marlboro Menthol Blue Pack 100’s (Mild)
• Marlboro Menthol Gold Pack (Light)
• Marlboro Menthol Gold Pack 100’s (Light)
• Marlboro Menthol Silver Pack (Ultra Light)
• Marlboro Menthol Silver Pack 100’s (Ultra Light)
• Marlboro Menthol Blend No. 54
• Marlboro Menthol Blend No. 54 100’s
• Marlboro Menthol Smooth
• Marlboro Menthol Smooth 100’s
• Marlboro Black
• Marlboro Black Menthol
• Marlboro NXT
• Marlboro Edge

Snus

• Marlboro Rich
• Marlboro Amber
• Marlboro Spearmint
• Marlboro Peppermint
• Marlboro Windmill (Netherlands)

Non US varieties

• Marlboro Black Menthol Edge 8 (Japan)
• Marlboro Black
• Marlboro Black One
• Marlboro Black Menthol (Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia & New Zealand)
• Marlboro Blend No. 9
• Marlboro Bright Leaf (UK)
• Rooftop Red (Canadian Marlboro Filter)
• Rooftop Gold (Canadian Marlboro Light)
• Rooftop Silver (Canadian Marlboro Extra Light)
• Marlboro Cold Mint (Spain)
• Marlboro Compact (Europe) slightly shorter than standard cigarettes
• Marlboro Crisp Mint
• Marlboro Filter Plus (Russia and Bulgaria)
• Marlboro Filter Plus One (Russia)
• Marlboro Flavor Mix (Egypt)
• Marlboro Flavor Note (Germany)
• Marlboro Flavor Plus
• Marlboro Fresh (Sweden)
• Marlboro Fresh Mint
• Marlboro Frost
• Marlboro Gold (in countries where «light» isn’t allowed)
• Marlboro Gold Advance (Sweden, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, New Zealand)
• Marlboro Gold Edge
• Marlboro Gold Touch (Europe) slightly thinner
• Marlboro Ice Mint
• Marlboro Ice Blast (Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong)
• Marlboro Ice Chill (Australia)
• Marlboro Ice Fresh (Brunei)
• Marlboro Intense
• Marlboro Kretex/Mix 9 (Indonesia)
• Marlboro MX4 Flavor (Europe)
• Marlboro Medium (Jordan)
• Marlboro Night Fusion
• Marlboro Wides (Europe, Japan)
• Marlboro Touch

References change change source

Marlboro cigarettes — name origin of the brand — high names agency

One of the products that reach people from all ages (at least all that are of age) without a lot of advertising is the cigarettes. At least nowadays they don t need ads. People just smoke them not for the ad, but for the quality they offer. All this is combines somewhat with the price of the pack of cigarettes or the bag of tobacco. And ads can t really make you switch from one brand to another, unless you re looking for a new one. However, names are the identity of the cigarette brands, and regular customers are the best ad possible. This naming article is about Marlboro the largest selling brand of cigarettes in the world. Indeed they are widely popular based on their old ad with the cowboy. The ad was created in the 1950 s to convert male smokers to buy Marlboro cigarettes, which were being sold as feminine until then. And the manly cowboy did the trick.

But we re talking about naming here. One may assume the name originated from the town the founder was born in and that wouldn t be unexpected. Many companies are named based on similar ideas (see IKEA post). Furthermore, there are many places called Marlborough all over the world England, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand etc. How original must it have been to simply change Marlborough spelling to Marlboro? Well, the real story is not too far from the suggestion. Phillip Morris, the founder of the company, opened a shop in which he was selling tobacco and rolled cigarettes. This was in 1847 and the location was Bond Street, London, UK. However, after his death, relatives took care of the business, and eventually it grew enough for a first factory to be opened. The factory was located on Great Marlborough Street, London (you can see what the street looked like around that time here). The owners, a company called Phillip Morris Companies Inc. at the time (the name is Altria Group nowadays), decided to go for a simple name Marlboro. A name that has proven though the years and is the most popular cigarette brand.

If you’re interested in reading more stories on company and brand naming you can check the related naming article on the popular Zippo lighters or something not so related like the naming of the Visa bank cards.

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