Don't Let Philip Morris
Hide Behind a New Name

Take Action!
March 2002


On April 25th, Philip Morris will hold its annual shareholders meeting and officially change its name to "Altria." Many organizations are planning counter-events on that day, to send the message that a new name can't cover up the company's global shame. Here's how global partners can get involved:

PHILIP MORRIS: DOES WORLD'S TOP CORPORATE CRIMINAL HAVE A RIGHT TO EXIST?
If you're a drug dealer, you lie under oath, and you bury evidence, you go to jail, right? Not if you're a corporation. Phillip Morris is one of the biggest corporate criminals in history, and in Adbusters Media
Foundation's new television commercial, the organization questions its very existence. The ad shows footage of tobacco company executives testifying, under oath, to the U.S. Congress that tobacco is not addictive, ending with the message: "How much harm does a company need to do...Before we question its right to exist?" Check out a preview at http://adbusters.org/campaigns/corporate/

TAKE ACTION! How you can participate:

  • Secure airtime for the commercial on a TV station in your community/country -- Adbusters will send you a broadcast-quality copy of the spot when you do. [Adbusters has confirmed that it can send copies to groups outside the U.S. and Canada]. Email Paul Dechene <[email protected]>
  • Organize a protest, die-in, or letter-writing campaign on April 25 to coincide with Philip Morris's annual shareholders meeting. Let PM know they can't hide their crimes so easily! Show Phillip Morris and the rest of the world that a cigarette manufacturer by any other name still smells like an ashtray.
  • For some real fun, plan a roadtrip to Richmond, VA for Philip Morris's annual shareholders meeting. If you can obtain a shareholder proxy, you can go into the meeting itself. Otherwise, join the crowds outside and help make this an international media event!
  • Issue a press release leading up to April 25, detailing all the ways that Philip Morris has NOT changed around the world. Include quotes and examples from your global partner. Sample press release


LET US KNOW IF YOU AND/OR YOUR PARTNER PLAN TO TAKE ACTION!
Tell us if you plan to secure airtime for the Adbusters ad and/or organize an event on April 25th. We will compile a list of your events, share them with all GPTC participants, and incorporate them in the press release.

For more background information on Philip Morris' annual shareholders meeting, why it was listed as one of the Top Ten Worst Corporations of 2001, and the growing movement to revoke the corporation's charter see below.

2001 PHILIP MORRIS SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
Last year Essential Action and GPTC participants Christine Kuck and Olivia Osborne of Taking ACTION (ID-US) attended the Philip Morris's annual shareholder's meeting where tennis star (and PM Director) Billie Jean King autographed a cigarette coupon for us, Olivia confronted CEO Geoffrey Bible during the Q & A, and PM employees said that it would be "illegal" to evaluate their sham "youth smoking prevention" programs. Read the full report

PHILIP MORRIS
Multinational Monitor names Philip Morris to list of Top Ten Worst Corporations of 2001

BACKGROUND ON THE GROWING MOVEMENT TO REVOKE PHILIP MORRIS' CHARTER
Revoking Philip Morris' Charter

" 'Corporate death' penalties plus making shareholders criminally liable for corporate misbehaviour"
by Kalle Lasn, Adbusters



Essential Action
Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control

P.O. Box 19405 ~ Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1 202-387-8030 ~ Fax: +1 202-234-5176
Email: [email protected]
www.essentialaction.org/tobacco