1847

Philip Morris a tobacconist and importer of fine cigars opened a shop on Bond St. in London, England; by 1854 Philip Morris sold

cigarettes. In 1902 the company was incorporated in New York City.

1908

PM trademarked Marlboro Cigarettes; in 1924 PM marketed the Marlboro brand as a women’s cigarette, “mild as May.”

1929

In order to manufacture their own cigarettes, PM purchased a factory in Richmond, Virginia.

1932

PM hired little Johnny Roventini to play the role of

the bell hop; his “Call for Philip Moreees” was an instant advertising and

public relations hit.

1950

Phillip Morris cigarettes sponsored the I Love Lucy show, which debuted the King size version of the brand

Philip Morris.

1954

Pm acquired Benson & Hedges ,the maker of filter-tipParliament cigarettes, an exclusive brand from New York

City.

1954

PM repositioned the Marlboro brand as a men's cigarette.

1966

PM released 100mm Benson & Hedges brand, which relied heavily on television advertising, using a humorous theme and a snappy jingle.

1967

PM restructured the company, creating Philip Morris Incorporated with three operating

companies: Philip Morris Domestic, Philip Morris International and Philip Morris Industrial.

The following year Philip Morris Domestic changed to Philip Morris U.S.A.

1968

PM introduced Virginia Slims, the first women’s brand that made its mark by

sponsoring tennis tournaments for ladies with the celebrity endorsement of the great Billie

Jean King.

1970

PM acquired Miller Brewing Company.

1972

PM introduced Marlboro Lights to capitalize on the growing segment of smokers concerned about

their health.

1976

PM invested a small fortune in the premier of the Merit brand, the first single digit tar cigarette at 9mg per cigarette. And in 1980 PM

introduced Cambridge cigarettes as a very low tar and nicotine cigarette.

1985

PM acquired General Foods. In 1988 PM purchased Kraft Foods, merged Kraft with General Foods, creating a new holding

company called Kraft General Foods, Inc., which eventually was renamed Kraft foods, Inc. in 1995.

1988

PM marketed a de-nicotined cigarette called Next before cancelling the project in 1992.

1993

PM lowered the price of Marlboros to compete against the growing segment of low cost cigarettes, changing the price

structure of the industry.

2000

PM acquired Nabisco Holding and merged it with Kraft Foods, Inc.

2003

PM changed its name to Altria Group, Inc. with Philip Morris U.S.A. and Philip Morris International as subsidiaries to make

and distribute cigarettes.

2007

Altria spun off its shares of Kraft Foods and Philip Morris International. By December Altria acquired

John Middleton Cigars. In 2009 Altria purchased US Smokeless Tobacco,

including the subsidiary of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

2010

Pm released Marlboro Snus, a smokeless, spitlesstobacco in the U.S.A.

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