West (cigarette)
{{short description|Cigarette brand}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Advert|date=April 2022}}
{{Lead too short|date=September 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2023}}
}}
{{infobox brand
| name= West
| logo= West cigarettes logo.png
| image=
| caption=
| type= Cigarette
| currentowner= Imperial Brands
| producedby= Reemtsma
| origin= West Germany
| introduced= {{start date and age|1981}}
| discontinued=
| related=
| markets= See Markets
| previousowners=
| trademarkregistrations=
| ambassadors=
| tagline= "Let's go West!", "Test the West!"
| website=
| footnotes = Carcinogenicity: IARC group 1
}}
West is a brand of cigarettes, currently owned and manufactured by Imperial Brands.{{cite web|url=http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us/Our-companies/Imperial-Tobacco.html|title=Imperial Tobacco - Imperial Brands|website=Imperialbrandsplc.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.reemtsma.com/das-unternehmen/produkte/von-zigaretten-bis-zubehoer/|title=Die Reemtsma Produkte: von Zigaretten bis Zubehör|website=Reemtsa.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}
History
West was introduced to the German market in 1981 and initially were only available in specialised tobacco shops. The launch of the new brand was accompanied by a dynamic advertising campaign under the slogan "Let's go West!". Thanks to a successful pricing policy and positioning quality at a reasonable price, a year later the brand became one of the leading in Germany. Since approximately 1987 West became available in supermarkets and cigarette vending machines. West is the second-strongest cigarette brand in Germany.
File:West_cigarettes_Germany_1981.jpg
In 1986, a new "Test the West!" advertising campaign was launched; the simplicity and originality of the new marketing strategies have been cited as key factors behind the uptick in brand recognition that was soon to follow. The campaign employed a strategy of placing paid promoters inside pubs, bars, restaurants and discotheques from which brand interest could be driven directly; in particular, by encouraging young people to engage in blindfolded product comparisons between West cigarettes and their current cigarette brand of choice.
In 1989, West Lights were introduced. The expansion of the range and the high demand for West cigarettes made it possible in two years to begin sales in Central and Eastern Europe.
In July 1995, it was reported that West was one of the most popular brands in the former German Democratic Republic, with the cigarette maker Philip Morris International declaring the total market share of international brands to have risen by almost 10% (to 39%) during the preceding 5-year span; the survey, conducted by Philip Morris Marktforschung, also showed that the former GDR brands had collectively endured losses of around 8% during the same timeframe. Nevertheless, with a total market share of 28.6%, in 1995 f6 remained the most popular cigarette smoked in the former GDR.{{cite web|url=https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/559739.osten-raucht-west-zigaretten.html|title=Osten raucht West-Zigaretten (neues deutschland)|website=Neues-deutschland.de|access-date=26 January 2018}}
In Poland, West became widely available in the mid-1990s, the brand was advertised by actor Bogusław Linda in 1996.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHSbWt_mQd4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/oHSbWt_mQd4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Reklama papierosów West (1996)|last=pablossos|date=7 December 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=http://deser.gazeta.pl/deser/56,84842,11466974,TOP_6_polskich_spotow_lat_90__Linda__Mann__Machulski___.html|title=TOP 6 polskich spotów lat 90. Linda, Mann, Machulski... Kojarzycie te reklamy? [WIDEO]|website=Deser.gazeta.pl|access-date=26 January 2018}}
In Russia, sales of West began in 1997, initially the cigarettes were available in two versions (Full Flavor and Lights) with a classic filter. The appearance of the new brand was accompanied by the advertising campaigns "The taste of now" and "The power of now", which started a year earlier in Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/photos/cz/west2.jpg|format=JPG|title=Photographic image of cigarette advertisement|website=Essentialaction.org|access-date=26 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://freecard-winni.com/product/wes-022-inline-slam-travem%C3%BCnde-west-ep-97-test-it-west-tobaccos-edgar-card|title=INLINE-SLAM TRAVEMÜNDE WEST E.P. 97 - Test it! - (West Tobaccos - Edgar-Card) by FreeCard-Winni´s PostCard-Store|website=FreeCard-Winni´s PostCard-Store}}{{cite web|url=http://www.genderads.com/styled-14/photos-66/|title=Power - The Gender Ads Project|website=Genderads.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Rhythm-Corporation-Rolf-Theo-Schulte-West-Motor-Sound-Circuit-1/release/9078911|title=Rhythm Corporation, Rolf Theo Schulte - West Motor Sound Circuit 1|website=Discogs}}{{cite web|url=https://brand-history.com/imperial-tobacco-group/west/west-the-power-of-now-west-test-it|title=West - THE POWER OF NOW. West · Test it....|website=IchLiebeDieMarke.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Power-Of-Now/release/918639|title=Various - The Power Of Now|website=Discogs.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}
In 1999, to promote the brand, the company used the provocative advertising campaign "USE", which is the continuation of "Test the West!". The images used to popularize the brand had also become bolder. On the advertising posters, West's characters turn out to be in intriguing and unconventional situations: for example, a girl confesses and smokes together with a priest in a confession. The slogan of the campaign is "Equality for All". According to its results, West brand reached 11% of the share of the cigarette market in Germany.
In July 1999, West cigarettes became available in the U.K.{{cite web|url=https://www.marketingweek.com/1999/06/17/gallaher-to-handle-uk-west-cigarettes-launch/|title=Gallaher to handle UK West cigarettes launch - Marketing Week|website=Marketingweek.com|date=17 June 1999 }}
To increase the competitiveness of the brand in Russia, the brand's specialists developed an innovative Streamtec filter in the form of a propeller, and in 2000 the brand was relaunched.
In the early 2000s, the brand continued its active development. Thanks to the partnership with the McLaren F1 team, West's profile was raised. In production, West ST Ultra cigarettes were launched. Debut sales of West in Africa.
In 2004, "Hongta Group" announced it would produce the cigarettes in China.{{cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2004-01/06/content_296248.htm|title=Hongta makes West cigarettes|website=Chinadaily.com.cn}}
Since 2009 there has been a significant expansion of the West line in the Russian market. West Tri Logic cigarettes with low levels of tar and nicotine and West Fusion were produced - standard length cigarettes in Super Slims format. The following year, the production of West SSL cigarettes began in a super-thin format. A year later, the launch of the production of West Compact format Queen size and West Duo classic King Size with a menthol capsule in the filter.
In January 2010, Imperial Tobacco announced a change in the design of the West cigarettes. Through the fresh design, the company said it was making "a conscious effort for innovation and to create something that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing for our adult smokers".{{cite web|url=https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/imperial-tobacco-revamps-west-cigarettes-pack-design/|title=Imperial Tobacco revamps West Cigarettes pack design - The Moodie Davitt Report|date=25 January 2010|website=Moodiedavittreport.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}
Marketing
=Advertising campaigns=
For a long time West cigarettes were advertised with more and more different campaigns. In 2003, the advertising campaign ("Für....") was carried out on Germany's posters and advertising pillars. The motifs showed the new seasonal pack edition of West. So there are a total of 5 different motifs painted in national colors faces from Germany, France, England, Italy and Brazil. The faces on the packs are representative of the enthusiasm and internationality in the country, which can be triggered for example by a FIFA World Cup. West also issued special editions of cigarette packaging: West Summer Edition, West Oster Edition, West Cola, West in Space Edition, Fest (Christmas cigarettes) and West Lemon Fresh were briefly introduced.
=Test the West=
From 1986 onwards, the brand used the slogan "Test the West!" and made good use of it after the fall of the Berlin Wall to gain name recognition in the former German Democratic Republic.{{cite web|url=https://slought.org/resources/test_the_west|title=Test The West - Programs – Slought|date=26 January 2018|website=slought.org}}{{cite web|url=http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-test-the-west-says-billboard-advertising-american-cigarettes-in-moscow-14559319.html|title=Stock Photo - Test the West says Billboard Advertising American Cigarettes in Moscow, Russia Photo by Chuck Nacke|first=Alamy|last=Limited|website=Alamy}}
Sponsorship
=Autosport=
File:Mika Hakkinen 1999 Canada.jpg in a 1999 McLaren sponsored by West.]]
West became the main sponsor of the small German Formula One team Zakspeed. The best result of the team was Martin Brundle's 5th place at the 1987 San Marino Grand Prix. Sponsorship continued until {{F1|1989}}, when the team left the competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-teams/zakspeed-f1-team-information-statistics/|title=Zakspeed F1 team information & statistics |website=F1-Fansite.com|date=3 August 2013 |access-date=26 January 2018}} It was also the sponsor of the McLaren Formula One team (known as "West McLaren Mercedes") from {{F1|1997}} to {{F1|2005}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/west-mclaren-mercedes-statement-re-jaguar/|title=West McLaren Mercedes statement re: Jaguar|website=Motorsport.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://media.mercedes-benz.nl/west-mclaren-mercedes-mp4-20-beleeft-premiere-in-barcelona|title=West McLaren Mercedes MP4-20 beleeft première in Barcelona|website=Media.mercedes-benz.nl|access-date=26 January 2018}} West terminated its relationship with McLaren due to a European Union ban on tobacco advertising in {{F1|2005}} and Vodafone and Emirates became their primary sponsor from {{F1|2006}} onwards.{{cite web|url=https://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/03/09/mclaren-reveal-emirates-livery/|title=Google|website=F1fanatic.co.uk|date=9 March 2006 |access-date=26 January 2018}} In countries where tobacco advertising already was banned on a local level (like Germany and France), West used certain logos, covered the West logos with black gaps, put the first names of the drivers ("Mika" for Mika Häkkinen, "David" for David Coulthard, "Juan Pablo" for Juan Pablo Montoya, "Kimi" for Kimi Räikkönen, and so on) or put "East" on their cars, referring to East Germany at the time to circumvent those laws.{{cite web|url=http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/02/zakspeed-racing-building-on-the-past/|title=Zakspeed Racing: Building On The Past - Speedhunters|date=19 February 2013|website=Speedhunter.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://thejudge13.com/2015/08/20/f1-history-martin-brundle-and-the-1987-zakspeed-871/|title=#F1 History: Martin Brundle and the 1987 Zakspeed 871|date=19 August 2015|website=Thejudge13.com|access-date=26 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/sleboz/12203286523|title=2002 - McLaren MP4-17 Mercedes V10 3.0 (West McLaren Mercedes)|website=Flickr.com|date=28 January 2014 |access-date=26 January 2018}}
In Argentina, West sponsored the Turismo Carretera team's Ford Falcon cars, made up of Juan María Traverso and the brothers Oscar Aventín and Antonio Aventín in 1983.{{cite web|url=https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-622441553-antiguo-ford-falcon-tc-traverso-west-claseslot-replica-nuevo-_JM|title=Antiguo Ford Falcon Tc Traverso West Claseslot Replica Nuevo - $ 449,00|website=articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar}}{{cite web|url=http://www.historiatc.com.ar/foro/index.php?topic=1083.0|title=Ranking 1983|website=Historiatc.com.ar}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fierrosclasicos.com/un-13-de-marzo-como-hoy-pero-de/|title=Un 13 de marzo, como hoy, pero de… - Fierros Clasicos|website=Fierrosclasicos.com}}
=Motorsport=
File:Honda nsr500 honda collection hall.JPG of Alex Barros on display.]]
West was the primary sponsor of Sito Pons' MotoGP team from 2000 to 2002, when Camel became their main sponsor from 2003 onwards.{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2002/02/15/west-honda-pons-officially-unveil-2002-line-up-in-valencia/132836|title=West Honda Pons officially unveil 2002 line-up in Valencia|first=Dorna|last=Sports|website=Motogp.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/it/notizie/2002/02/15/la-squadra-west-honda-pons-debutta-a-valencia/132839|title=La squadra West Honda Pons debutta a Valencia|first=Dorna|last=Sports|website=Motogp.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ebay.com/p/Tamiya-Honda-Pons-Nsr500-01-1-12-14087-Motorcycle-Kit-a-Barros-L-Capirossi-MINT/2256102663|title=Tamiya Honda Pons Nsr500 '01 1/12 14087 Motorcycle Kit a Barros L Capirossi MINT - eBay|website=Ebay.com}} The best result in this period was shown by Loris Capirossi, finishing third in the 2001 500cc season. In countries where tobacco advertising was banned on a local level (like Germany and France), West put the first names of the riders ("Alex" for Alex Barros, "Loris" for Loris Capirossi and so on) on the front and sides of the bikes to circumvent those laws.
=Other sports=
West sponsored the Slovak Extraliga from 1997 to 2001.{{cite web|url=http://hokej.xf.cz/hist/1993/index01.htm|title=EXTRALIGA 1993/1994|website=hokej.xf.cz}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hokejpoprad.sk/historia/1998-1999_a.html|title=80 rokov Ľadového hokeja v Poprade|first=Ing. Marián|last=Barilla|website=Hokejpoprad.sk}} West also sponsored numerous amateur cage fighters.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}}
West also sponsorship Ferencvaros during their first period in Championa League 95/96.
Markets
West is mainly sold in Germany, but also was or still is sold in the United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Algeria, Argentina, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Costa Rica{{Cite news|url=https://enterprise.press/stories/2018/03/25/eastern-company-signs-with-mansour-intl-to-manufacture-west-cigarettes/|title=Eastern Company signs with Mansour Int'l to manufacture 'West' cigarettes {{!}} Enterprise|work=Enterprise|access-date=2018-08-14|language=en-US}} Azerbaijan, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, United States and Brazil.{{cite web|url=http://www.cigarettespedia.com/index.php/BrandWest_'R'|title=BrandWest 'R' - Cigarettes Pedia|website=Cigarettespedia.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.zigsam.at/B_West.htm|title=West|website=Zigsam.at}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cigarety.by/brand.php?n=10&l=22&p=0&w=WEST|title=Brands|website=Cigarety.by}}
Products
Cigarettes
- West Red, 10 mg tar, 0.9 mg nicotine, 10 mg carbon monoxide.
- West Silver (formerly known as West Light), 7 mg tar, 0.6 mg nicotine, 7 mg carbon monoxide.
- West Blue, 4 mg tar, 0.4 mg nicotine, 4 mg carbon monoxide.
- West Rich Blue, 8 mg tar, 0.7 mg nicotine, 8 mg carbon monoxide.
- West ICE (a spearmint flavored menthol cigarette), 7 mg tar, 0.6 mg nicotine, 7 mg carbon monoxide. Part of the flavoring is added to the filter instead of the tobacco.
West Red and Silver cigarettes are also available in 100 mm length, as well as the standard 91 mm.
Other products
- West Volumetabak Red and Silver, loose tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes.
- West Rollies Filter Red and Silver, cigarillos with filter.