Robert Norris, the popular face from the Marlboro Advertisement Campaign has released his last breath recently in Colorado Springs after living a long and healthy 90 years. He was fondly called “The Marlboro Man”, as he was deeply cherished by Marlboro lovers across the globe.
The story behind Norris being the living and breathing entity for Marlboro Cigarettes is long and interesting. It dates back to 1955, when Norris was a young 26 year old who was head hunted by the Tobacco Manufacturing Company Philip Morris and the Advertising agency Leo Burnett who were running a campaign for worldwide recognition of their tobacco brand and who had a hawk’s eye for fresh talents to familiarize their brand. Norris was selected after he was spotted with the actor John Wayne.
It was Norris who contributed majorly in transforming Marlboro from a feminine product, in giving it a masculine cowboy image. “The Ad Campaign that Norris was in, made Marlboro one of the world’s leading brands of all times. And of course Norris was the largest contributor in making it the same.” says Professor Ellsworth, a lecturer at the University of Michigan who used to interview Norris.It was however surprising that the man, who was famously known as the Marlboro man, left his role in the advertising campaign only because he thought it would have a negative impact on his kids. Leaving behind a healthy and hearty family of four children, one sister and thirteen grandchildren, Norris has died in peace.
