Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/622093
20 tobaccoasia PRODUCT NEWS 产品新闻 exclusively at the duty-free stores of five airports (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka) from mid-December 2015. Thanks to the smooth taste and aroma unique to the brand, Mevius is favored by consumers not only in Japan but also in Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Russia, and many other markets. In Japan, the brand has enjoyed No. 1 market share for over 30 years including under its former name Mild Seven. As a result of their master blender's careful attention to combining raw materials consisting of over 100 types of tobacco leaves, Mevius Prestige provides not only the original smoothness of Mevius, but also a rich and deep flavor. The AFT filter containing micro- scopic longitudinal holes, makes it possible to enjoy a deep smoking experience. In addition, the ideal hardness of the filter and the refined embossment of its tip produce a comfortable feel in the mouth. More- over, the cigarette paper has a grid-like pattern that provides sense of luxury, so that it can also be enjoyed visually. A metallic case with a seal has been used for the package, so the Mevius flavor and aroma can be enjoyed from the moment it is opened. In addition, multiple layers of a wood-grain pattern and a carbon-like design are combined on the package, giving it a stylish look and the high-quality texture. Moreover, with the special gift box containing 10 cases, you can store the highest quality Mevius product effectively, and also enjoy the pleasure of taking it out Dominican Republic Amicable Settlement Reached La Aurora, the original factory in the Dominican Republic, and Padilla Cigars have finally signed an amicable agree- ment in which La Aurora will allow Padilla Cigars to use an alternate version of their current logo, "to reflect a sufficiently abstract version of a lion design to avoid confusion in the market place and make a separate commercial impression in the minds of the consum- er." Padilla Cigars agrees to abandon an Japan Tobacco announced in September that it will purchase the international rights to the cigarette brand Natural American Spirit from Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), along with the international companies that sell the brand outside the United States. The all cash deal is reportedly val- ued at about US$5 billion. RAI president Susan Cameron said in a statement that it made sense to do the deal with a company that had an in- ternational infrastructure already in place rather than building such a global market- ing framework on its own. "Natural American Spirit has achieved excellent international growth over the past several years," Cameron said. "When backed by the strength of the JT group's international distribution, sales force, and manufacturing capabilities, we believe that growth trajectory will not only continue, but accelerate." Germany, Swit- zerland, and Japan are the biggest mar- kets for Natural American Spirit cigarettes and tobacco. The transaction is expected to be completed by early 2016. Regulatory permission must be obtained from sev- eral countries. Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Inc., a Reynolds subsidiary, will hold onto the rights to the Natural Ameri- can Spirit name in the US. Reynolds ac- quired Santa Fe in 2001, two years after it sold its international operations to JT. Bonnie Herzog, an analyst at Wells Fargo Securities, said the transaction would be a win-win scenario for RAI shareholders. "Any transaction would monetize an asset that we have long believed to be underappreciated and un- dervalued by the market," wrote Herzog. "(It is) a very smart and strategic move by Reynolds." Nik Modi, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets, was quoted as saying the sale lessens Reynolds' exposure to unstable foreign currency exchange rates, which have hampered overall revenue levels in recent quarters for some other American companies. JT ACQUIRES A SUCCESSFUL PREMIUM AND CAN SELL IT ANYWHERE BUT THE UNITED STATES existing US trademark registration with La Aurora's consent. La Aurora, owned by the León family since 1903, uses the iconic lion to identify their products (La Aurora, León Jimenes, Family Reserve, and Untamed) since 1926, and the American consumer has already related the symbol of the lion with La Aurora. For that reason, La Aurora claims ownership of the lion as a symbol of their brand of cigars and related products. The agreement states that Padilla Cigars may use an abstract lion to prevent consumer confusion now and for all releases in the future. La Aurora will allow Padilla Cigars the right to sell out of their remaining inventory of non-tobacco materials with the commit- ment from Padilla Cigars to not go back to the old design. La Aurora also agrees not to go against any third parties who may purchase these products during the sell off period.