Philip Morris

Philip Morris is an American brand of cigarettes, currently owned by Philip Morris International. Cigarettes are manufactured by the firm worldwide except in the US, where Philip Morris USA produces tobacco products. History Philip Morris’ eponymous brand was first made in England, it was introduced to the United States in 1847. Philip Morris incorporated in New York in 1902; until 1929, when the company purchased its first cigarette factory in Richmond, Virginia, their brands were made under license by Stephano Brothers of Philadelphia. Philip Morris English Blend was introduced as a non-filter, regular-size (70 mm) brand in 1933 by Philip Morris USA. To advertise the brand, Philip Morris hired 3-foot, 11-inch tall bellboy Johnny Roventini as their pitchman; through the 1950s on radio, television, and in print advertisements, Johnny would shout out the famous slogan: "Call for Philip Morris!" Also known as Johnny Philip Morris, Roventini essentially became a living trade mark. The name of Philip Morris English Blend was changed to Philip Morris Special Blend in 1948. In the 1950s, the brand was the sponsor of C.B.S. television’s I Love Lucy show; when it was originally broadcast, the show’s credits would appear over a package of Philip Morris cigarettes. When ”I Love Lucy” was packaged for syndication, images of Philip Morris were replaced with the now-familiar heart on satin seen in the end-credits, though the original images have been restored as an extra for the D.V.D. box-sets of the series.