[Intl-tobacco] Report (Part II): Youth Advocacy Events Around 2006 Altria Shareholders
Mtg
robert weissman
rob@essential.org
Sun, 07 May 2006 13:20:25 -0400
PART II: REPORT ON ADVOCACY EVENTS AROUND 2006 ALTRIA SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
1. April 27: Activism Inside the 2006 Altria Shareholders Meeting
2. Media Coverage
####
1) APRIL 27: ACTIVISM INSIDE THE 2006 ALTRIA SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
About 25 youth and adults who were part of the collective group went
inside the Altria shareholders meeting itself. A television crew
accompanied Shane Bradbrook (Te Reo Marama/M=E4ori Smokefree, New Zealand)
in the van as the group entered the site, passing by the security
checkpoints staffed by company security and local police.
Inside, VP Steve Parrish hovered on the sidelines while waiting for the
show to begin. Behind us we heard two pro-tobacco shareholders talking.
=93Did you see that big cigarette pack labeled =93Global Killer=94 as you c=
ame
in?=94 =93Problem is people don=92t get out of the U.S. [to understand how =
big
smoking is elsewhere]=94 [Relates anecdote about everyone chain smoking in
the Czech Republic] =93You just have to keep your investments separate
from your [conscience]=85tobacco generates massive dividends!=94
Finally the board of directors filed into the front row and then the CEO
himself took to the stage. The meeting began with the usual fast-paced
video collage of advertisements for the company=92s products around the
world, as the voiceover said =93brands symbolizing quality, reliability=94
and images of cheese switched to cigarettes and cigarettes to
mayonnaise. =93Rising across barriers of language and
geography=85unforgettable brands=94 the voice intoned, =93aim to be the mos=
t
successful and responsible business in the world.=94 Profitable, yes.
Responsible, NO!
####
BUSINESS REPORT
CEO Louis Camilleri then gave the business report, lauding the company
for last year=92s 27.7% in shareholder return. He noted that the
restructuring of the company would happen on =93[the company=92s] timeline=
=94
and that it would =93not act prematurely.=94 He pointed out that Philip
Morris USA is the only tobacco company supporting FDA regulation,
expressed disappointment with U.S. Congress for failing to the
legislation, and disclosed that in the meantime the company is exploring
opportunities to grow its =93Quit Assist=94 program (a smokescreen to give
the impression that the company really wants to lose its profitable
customers). He also mentioned the company=92s creation of a Center for
Research and Development in Richmond to address health and smoking, part
of the company=92s =93societal alignment initiative=94 (aka public relation=
s
campaign).
The CEO then detailed its international cigarette business=85European
Union down 11.9%...East Europe, Mideast and Africa up 5.3%...Russia up
27%...Japan down 7.1%...otherwise Asia up 73.1% with acquisition of
Indonesia=92s Sampoerna=85Latin America up 19.1% with acquisition of
Coltabaco=85Like in previous years, the CEO stated the company=92s support
for the FCTC in principle, then denounced certain measures, e.g. ban on
advertising, increased taxes, and promotion of litigation. He also
described some of the many =93youth smoking prevention=94 programs the
company supports around the world, e.g. Australia=92s =9318+ It=92s the Law=
=94
and Japan=92s =93[No Smoking] under 20.=94
Camilleri concluded this portion of the program by saying, =93PMI=92s growt=
h
potential continues to be attractive. With just a 15% share of the
international market, it has plenty of room to expand both organically
and through acquisitions. Given its superb brand portfolio, commitment
to reducing the harm caused by tobacco and to building an increasingly
agile organization, PMI is well-positioned for future growth.
Read the full transcript of Camilleri=92s speech at:
http://www.altria.com/download/pdf/investors_2006_AnnualShareholdersMeeting=
-Remarks.pdf
####
Q & A
During the question and answer period that followed, about a dozen
tobacco control advocates addressed the CEO. To listen to their
statements and the CEO=92s responses, check out the meeting webcast (after
filling out a quick registration form) at:
http://www.altria.com/investors/02_15_earnings_02.asp
Lauren Baisden, a youth with Wisconsin=92s FACT movement made the
following statement on behalf of the youth inside and outside the
meeting and the over 100 groups around the world who have signed on to a
list of demands of the company (to listen go to 46:30 in above webcast):
BAISDEN: Good morning, Mr. Camilleri I am Lauren Baisden with
Wisconsin FACT, I am here today with 100 youth advocates from all
over the world, 25 whom are in this room. Altria has signaled that
it is planning to split up into three separate companies: Kraft,
Philip Morris USA, and Philip Morris International. There is
worldwide concern that unleashing Philip Morris International from
Altria will worsen the already devastating tobacco epidemic.
Mr Camilleri,as you head for a break up we call on you to give us a
break from the following: Tobacco advertising and misleading
descriptors like "light and mild"; lobbying on framework convention
on tobacco control and against 100% smokefree places; invoking trade
agreements to challenge tobacco control legislation; tobacco
smuggling; secrecy about advertising expenditures, political
contributions on lobbying cost; bogus youth prevention programs; and
finally smoking and product placement in movies and other media.
Over 100 groups in 50 countries have signed onto these demands. My
question for you, Mr. Camillieri, is will you agree to these demands?
CAMILLERI=92S RESPONSE: Well I won=92t agree to all of those demands.
Um, you know, every year we have these discussions and I try to
listen to hard and I try to understand and generally I do understand
the positions. Uh frankly I=92m having difficulty intellectually
understanding that an independent PMI would make matters worse. If
anything it should make things better because the spotlight would
shine more on PMI, so intellectually I=92m having a problem. With
regards to PMI=92s policies and programs, I would really encourage you
to read the PMI website. As I said earlier don=92t let your animosity
of this industry and this company in particular blind your judgment
and sometimes mischaracterize the facts. So thank you.
Soon after, Shane Kawenata Bradbrook brought the room to full attention
by starting his statement in the Maori language (to listen go to 53:15
in above webcast)=85
BRADBROOK: My name is irrelevant but my culture is not!
I am Maori, a native New Zealander. I am here to represent Maori in
the matter of Philip Morris International using our culture to sell
tobacco products.
In 2005, it came to our organisations attention that PMI was selling
a product in Israel called Maori Mix under the L & M brand.
Let me tell you, this product called 'Maori Mix' was an absolute
affront to my people! Your company=92s misappropriation and
exploitation of our culture to sell your product of death and
illness to Israelis was at a minimum culturally insensitive =96 and at
worst another form of oppression and abuse that indigenous peoples
have faced for decades.
I stand before you to hold you in absolute contempt and derision. I
don't expect a weak apology or some glib rationale from you for
associating our culture with Maori Mix. But I do have a message for
you:
The message from my culture and my people is clear:
DO NOT MISREPRESENT DO NOT ASSOCIATE OUR PROUD CULTURE WITH YOUR
DECEITFUL PRACTICES AND PRODUCT
It's simple really, if it looks like and smells like exploitation it
is exploitation!
In closing, as I said I am but one representative of my people but I
am surrounded by my ancestors and the good thoughts and support of
thousands in my homeland.
We have a well known phrase in my language:
KA WHAWHAI TONU MATOU
WE WILL CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE
I stand here in that tradition of resistance and struggle to this
affront and exploitation of my people!
CAMILLERI=92S RESPONSE: Well thanks you for coming to this meeting and
I fully understand your position=85Um [clears throat] to make it clear
to everybody=85Yes, we made the mistake of launching a limiting
addition product called Maori Mix. We regret that it was a mistake.
By the time we found out about the mistake =96 to show how limited the
addition it was, which was late September of =9105, we couldn=92t find
the product in retail stores. That was the only time we=92ve used that
product. We have written to your representatives. We have
apologized, and we have confirmed that we will not be using that
product anywhere in the world again. So I apologize again to you and
your people. Thank you.[Shane interjects that he will take the
apology back to his people, but that he won=92t accept that it was =93a
mistake=94] Well, regretfully we also make mistakes.
(Now if only the company would apologize for the millions of people its
products have killed=85)
####
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
During the shareholder proposals that followed four youth and adults who
were part of our group had a chance to make statements. You can check
out their statements at the following points in the webcast:
Proposal 4: Extend New York Fire-Safe Products Globally
1:38:00: Emily Martuscello (Dover Youth 2 Youth/NH)
Proposal 6: Support for Laws at All Levels Combating Use of Tobacco
2:00:15: Gustavo Torrez (Breathe California of Sacramento-Emigrant
Trails/CA)
2:02:20: Serena Bonneville (FACT/WI)
2:04:28: Dana Mitchell (Dover Youth 2 Youth/NH)
And for a little comic relief, check out the irate pro-tobacco
shareholder from Connecticut who compared our statements to a "terrorist
action" against the company (at 1:57:40 & 2:16:24 in the webcast)
####
CONCLUSION OF MEETING
At the end of the meeting, a video montage detailed all the wonderful
charitable work that Altria is doing around the world, including
disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina. At this point, we
unveiled a banner that said =93Altria/Philip Morris: Give the World a
Break from=85=94 and held photos of some of the things that the company is
up to around the world.
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/photos/altria06/4/slides/wilw073.htm=
l
At the close of the meeting, a youth tried to deliver one of the =93Happy
Birthday Marlboro=94 cards to the CEO, who was whisked away down the hall
by security to prevent any handoff of materials.
At the exit, all attendees were given bags filled with the company=92s
products (no cigarettes):
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/photos/altria06/4/slides/wilw078.htm=
l
Altria=92s 2005 Annual Report:
http://www.altria.com/investors/02_01_annualreport.asp
Proxy Statement (includes Shareholder Proposals):
http://www.altria.com/download/pdf/investors_AltriaGroupInc_2006_Proxy.pdf
####
2) MEDIA COVERAGE
UNITED STATES
Associated Press photos:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=3Dstory&u=3D/060427/480/njmd10304271827
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=3Dstory&u=3D/060427/480/njmd10204271826
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=3Dstory&u=3D/060427/480/njmd10104271826
Daily Record (NJ): Protesters attempt to clear air at Altria's E.
Hanover meeting; Anti-smoking activists target Philip Morris owner
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060428/COMMUNITIE=
S14/604280348/1203/NEWS01
Asbury Park Press (NJ): Tobacco firm assailed from within; Anti-smoking
activists protest at Altria meeting
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20060428/NEWS03/604280388/1=
007/ENT
Note: Same article as above, but features different photo
Daily Globe (MI): Student Tackles Big Tobacco
http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0502toba.htm
Press release:
Youth Protest Altria Annual Meeting, Warn of Altria Break-Up Dangers
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=3D64685
NEW ZEALAND
ABC Online: Philip Morris apologises for using Maori name and images to
sell cigarettes
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1626384.htm
Note: Transcript of interview with Shane
New Zealand Herald: Tobacco giant apologises to Maori
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=3D2&ObjectID=3D10379513
Stuff.co.nz: Tobacco giant apologises to Maori
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3650902a10,00.html
TVNZ: Tobacco giant apologises to Maori
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411368/707631
Monsters and Critics.com: Philip Morris apologizes to indigenous Maoris
over cigarette brand
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/article_1159066.php/Philip_M=
orris_apologizes_to_indigenous_Maoris_over_cigarette_brand
Radio New Zealand:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200604280807/1448c25c
Newstalk ZB & NZCity: Tobacco giant apologises to Maori
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=3D94639
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=3D61662&c=3Dw
newswire.co.nz: Maori Anti Smoking Lobby Confronts Phillip Morris
http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=3D313670&catid=3D16
TVNZ: Face off over 'Maori' brand cigarettes
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/706478
New Zealand Doctor Online: Maori Smokefree Coalition in New York to
challenge tobacco giant
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/HOTP/04-06/25Apr.htm
Press releases:
Te Reo Marama: Statement to Altria Group From Shane Bradbrook
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0604/S00093.htm
Te Reo Marama: Coalition in NY to challenge tobacco giant
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00194.htm
Te Reo Marama: Taking on Multinational Tobacco Co in New York
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00178.htm
INDIA
Articles on the demands ran in three national Hindi newspapers (Danik
Jagaran, Rashtriya Sahara and Swatantra Bharat) Source: Bobby Ramakant.
AUSTRALIA
AAP: Tobacco giant apologises to Maori
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Tobacco-giant-apologises-to-Maori/2006/04/=
28/1145861512530.html
Ran on following websites: The Age, Ninemsn, Seven.com.au, Sydney
Morning Herald:
AAP: Anti-smoking lobbyists demand action
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Antismoking-lobbyists-demand
action/2006/04/27/1145861442411.html
Ran on following websites: Advertiser Adelaide, The Age, The Australian,
Courier Mail, Daily Telegraph, Melbourne Herald Sun, News.com.au, Sunday
Times.au, Sydney Morning Herald, Seven.com.au.
Note: Article based on a press release distributed by ASH-Australia
Thanks to: Corporate Accountability International, John O=92Hara, Emily
Thompson, and many others for assisting us in getting youth into the
meeting!
Note: The above photos were taken by many different people. They may be
used for noncommercial purposes, as long as they are properly credited.
To obtain credit information, contact <tobacco@essential.org> and
include the photo=92s url.
This report will soon be posted at
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/event/altria06/ and will be
updated as groups that participated submit additional photos, media
coverage, and other materials._