Strand (cigarette)

Strand was a brand of cigarettes produced by W.D. & H.O. Wills (part of Imperial Tobacco), launched in 1959 but withdrawn in the early 1960s. The launch was accompanied by a huge television advertising campaign, "You're never alone with a Strand". They also ran advertisements in newspapers offering a free pack of Strand cigarettes if you filled in a coupon and sent it in. [ [http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000159/015942.htm "And another thing …. !"] , Cayman Net, 25 June 2007]

You're never alone with a Strand

This television advertisement depicted a dark, wet, deserted London street scene in which a rain coated character, played by Terence Brooks, looking similar to Frank Sinatra, lit a cigarette and puffed reflectively. This was accompanied by an instrumental, "The Lonely Man Theme" by Cliff Adams, playing in the background and a voice-over declared "You're never alone with a Strand". [ [http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adverts/commercials.htm The Commercials] at WhirligigTV.co.uk (includes footage of the commercial)]

The commercial, written by John May, was popular with the public, with Brooks becoming a star and the music reaching Number 39 in the UK Singles Chart.Nostalgia Central. " [http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/pop/cigarettes.htm Cigarettes & Cigars] ". Accessed 7 August 2006.] However, sales of the brand were poor and it was soon taken off the market. The public associated smoking Strand cigarettes with being lonely and were put off from buying them.TV Cream. " [http://tv.cream.org/extras/tobacco/index.htm Off the back of a fag packet] ". Accessed 7 August 2006.]

It is regarded as one of the most disastrous tobacco advertising campaigns of all time. [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7958328_ITM "Tobacco's Finest Blend: With the ban on advertising tobacco about to come into force ..(tobacco ads reviewed for creativity"] , Campaign, 24 January 2003]

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