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SMOKE BREAK Q & A JTI U.S.A. VP on Super-Premium Cigarettes BY MELISSA NIKSIC R President of Sales and Marketing at Vector Tobacco; and Senior Vice President of Sales for Liggett Vector Brands. Di Donato is currently Vice President of Sales for JTI U.S.A., which is part of one of the world's largest tobacco companies. Based out of the New Jersey corporate offi ce, Di Donato is responsible for leading the sales organization and business development initiatives within the company. Di Donato shares his insights on top JTI U.S.A. cigarette products, including a new super-premium limited edition. ick Di Donato is no stranger to the tobacco world. A longtime tobacco industry executive, he has previously served as Area Vice President at Lorillard, Inc.; Vice popular cigarette products? Di Donato: JTI U.S.A. off ers three distinctive brands WINGS. Export 'A' appeals to discerning, super-premium SmokeBreak: What are some of JTI U.S.A.'s most that appeal to adult consumers: Export 'A', Wave, and adult smokers. Since 1928, Export 'A' has been made with premium quality Virginia leaf tobacco with no added fl avors. Wave is a premium quality, American blend cigarette with a smooth fi nish. A discount brand, Wave off ers unique integrated marketing programs premium brands, exciting consumer sweepstakes, and a dedicated consumer including consumer coupon mailings, typically associated with Web site. WINGS is a high-quality, American blend value cigarette with a rich, smooth taste designed for today's price- conscious adult smokers. innovations that will excite customers? Di Donato: In April, we introduced Export 'A' Smooth SmokeBreak: What are the latest products and Taste Limited Edition Packs (LEPs), featuring the only beveled edge 72mm 20's pack off ered in the U.S.A. Crafted using premium, 100% Virginia leaf tobacco with no added fl avors, the LEPs come in four stylish and distinct designs, all in one carton. cigarettes are usually trendsetters who like to diff erentiate themselves from the crowd. Th ey usually purchase super- premium products in other CPG categories as well. For example, if we were talking about beer, these consumers wouldn't be the major brand, domestic crowd. Th ey would be the craft beer drinkers, microbrewed or imported; the people who look for quality ingredients and something no one in their group has seen before. If we were talking 'A' cigarettes? Di Donato: Adult smokers who enjoy super-premium SmokeBreak: Who is the target consumer for Export Rick Di Donato, Vice President of Sales for JTI U.S.A. 10 | WWW.TOBACCORETAILER.COM 28 SEPTEMBER 2012 NPN Magazine n www.npnweb.com