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Camel Cigarettes Ads
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Here we have a pair of specially commissioned Camel packs. They belong ôo a set of seven, four of which are illustrated in this section (can readers help the author to obtain copies of the other three?). From top to bottom (no pun intended) one can note that the ‘hidden’ sexual theme associated with Camel cigarettes is still apparent.
The two packs illustrated above appear to be simple variations on the standard Camel pack. This has been reputed to contain a manikin with an erection and various other images. For the manikin, see the Camel’s foreleg. This assertion has been discounted a number of times by R.J.Reynolds and others associated with the company. However, it is rather strange that this figure can still be discerned after many years of pack alterations. If it was not intended to be there, and some people find it offensive, then it need not be there. In fact if one views the book Camel cigarette collectibles by Douglas Congdon-Martin, the figure that isn’t supposed to exist has become slightly more obvious over the years, rather than less so. On the right is the Camel Filters Hard Pack (as sold in Mexico, 2000). Note that the colouring is markedly different from the illustration on the left (and other versions of the cigarette pack). Yet all show, to some degree or other the manikin and his ‘penis’. The pack, in fact, highlights the appendage against a lighter background.
Additionally, the author has an ad produced around the same time Camel cigarettes first appeared. This also would seem to contain embedded elements. The brand is not Camel but the use of the same type of embedding technique early this century would indicate general knowledge within ad companies producing ads for the tobacco industry at this time. Additionally one might note that the American artist Winslow Homer was rather renowned for embedding images in his work (see Winston Homer, the Obtuse Bard). His work may have been the inspiration for some interesting ads during this early period of cigarette advertising.
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The third pack shows the Camel logo made up from rather fluffy clouds. Embedded in the clouds are the letters S E X. |
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The fourth pack is the most interesting from the point of view of embedded sexual imagery in ads and most evidently reveals a sexual theme. Whatever the origin of the embedded manikin in the 1920’s, this ads embedded imagery indicates that the sexua |
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Camel Biliard
Camel is a brand of cigarettes introduced by U.S. company R.J. Reynolds Tobacco (RJR) in 1913. Camels contain a blend of Turkish and United States tobacco.
Camel cigarettes were blended to be considerably easier to smoke in contrast to the much harsher brands popular at the time of its introduction. In addition, they were promoted, prior to official release, by a careful advertising campaign that included “teasers” which merely stated that “the Camels are coming.” This marketing style was, in fact, a prototype for attempts to sway public opinion that coincided with the United States’ entry into the First World War. Another promotion strategy was the use of a Circus camel, ‘Old Joe’, which was driven through town and used to distribute free cigarettes. Old Joe was used as the model for the camel on the package.
The brand’s catch-phrase slogan, used for decades, was, “I’d walk a mile for a Camel!”
The most famous variety of Camel cigarettes was the soft pack of the regular, unfiltered variety. Camel regulars achieved the zenith of their popularity through personalities such as news broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, who smoked up to four packs of Camel regulars per day, in effect using a Camel cigarette as his trademark.
In late 1987, RJR created Joe Camel as the mascot for the brand. In 1991, the American Medical Association published a report stating that 5- and 6-year olds could more easily recognize Joe Camel than Mickey Mouse, Fred Flintstone, Bugs Bunny or even Barbie. This led the association to ask RJR to pull the Joe Camel campaign. RJR declined, but further appeals followed in 1993 and 1994. On July 10, 1997, the Joe Camel campaign was retired and replaced with a somewhat more adult campaign which appealed to the desires of twenty-somethings to meet or as the case may be, actually be beautiful and exotic women (desires they nonetheless share with teenagers) in 1930s attire and themes.
In 2005, Camel instigated new changes to the Turkish flavors by adding the name on the cigarette paper and changing the filter color and design. A blend called “Turkish Silver”, a light version of either the Turkish Gold or Royal varieties, also became available that year. When smoked, the text on the paper is often still visible on the ashes.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the city where R.J.R. was founded, was nicknamed “Camel City” at one time because of the brand’s popularity. However, this name is passing out of usage among locals. |
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Camel sexi
The camel in the logo is of the dromedary variety. In other languages than English, a distinction is made between camels and dromedaries, so the name and image don’t coincide. The name was chosen because in the early 20th century travels to far away places were in vogue and a camel symbolised that nicely.
The package artwork was used by rock band Camel for their second album Mirage (including the package sides to make for a square image).
The Camel pack is featured prominently in Tom Robbins novel Still Life with Woodpecker, billed as “a love story that happens inside a pack of cigarettes.” |
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Camel singer
A powerfully thematic ad that stands out in my mind is when Joe Cool Camel is placed on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Joe is dressed head to toe in biker gear wearing a traditional motorcycle jacket, T-shirt, jeans and black sunglasses. While posing in this tough guy gear, Joe is sitting on the bike smoking a slick cigarette for pure rebellious enjoyment, symbolizing the epitome of a bad boy image. This ad is strategically enduring to teens in that again, they look up to icons that look tough, self-confident, and rebellious because they want to be what that image represents. Camel Cigarettes target this insecurity of teens and in the process they reel them in to smoke cigarettes.
Rock and Roll music is most popular among the teenage group. They admire bands for their rough image, style and music. R.J. Reynolds focuses on this phenomenon by creating an ad where Joe Camel features as a rock star. He is place on stage in the spotlight, smoking a cigarette while playing the guitar. The fans are faded in the background, cheering this stud-camel on for his great music. This ad is appealing to the teenage audience because it displays Joe Camel as an icon, a role model that fans adore from their assigned seats at a concert hall. When teens observe this ad, perhaps they will think if the image of Joe Camel looks cool smoking on stage, than they will look cool if they do it too. |
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