What Is The Point?
source
Banning the barcode was replaced with Mission Winnow which is now banned across Europe.
Today I was reading an article about Ferrari and Phillip Morris (Marlboro) renegotiating their sponsorship contract. Even though tobacco advertising has been banned from the sport in 99% of the world there is still some value being linked to a premier brand like Ferrari. I am not surprised that a deal is still being done even though many are most likely baffled on how and why.
In 2010 Ferrari were forced to remove the last remaining tobacco advertising which was the Marlboro bar code. Minnow Winnow was another Marlboro ploy to still be present on the car in some form which is also banned in Europe so only outside of the EU can the advertising remain on the rear wing.
The idea of paying for something that has no benefits does sound a little crazy but I am not shocked. Marlboro has been in motor racing for as long as I know and before Ferrari's partnership were on Penske Racing and McLaren.
source
Mission Winnow has nothing to do with tobacco except it is a division of Phillip Morris. A division that is set up to create change by doing things better in the world and most likely there to irritate the FIA and anti tobacco lobbyists.
I know when I was with Rothmans (Williams) it allowed us to do more than just have sponsorship on the car. All the pubs and clubs in London used to get branded items for that weekend, maybe a more subtle type of advertising is still going on and not only in London, but around the world. I am sure Ferrari and Marlboro will come up with another idea that is even more subtle going forward.
If we think about it tobacco companies make a fortune and have nowhere to spend their advertising budget these days. We used to spend 100's of millions on various events which was mainly a tax write off. Just maybe their tax write off allows the Phillip Morris execs to travel the Formula One circuit entertaining business clients and pro tobacco government officials. That would be a given I think as the image of having your brand tied in with Ferrari fits as cigarettes are all about the image you portray. The wining and dining of Government officials does happen as they need a pro member of parliament backing them, looking out for their best interests.
source
I do expect a new deal to be struck and expect something to change on the car next season that is not overly obvious. I expect to see some more white appear with no writing making it the same color as the Marlboro box as that cannot be outlawed. How much is this worth I have no clue, but obviously Phillip Morris are benefitting somewhere and are happy paying to be part of this partnership.
this is what i was thinking while reading. something like white front wing and "nose" or something.
Advertisement is not bad, i wonder why they are banning. Maybe, there are other suspicious act behind the scene.