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[ INDUSTRY NEWS]
Reynolds American buys back brand rights
Reynolds American Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C., has bought back rights to sell some of its top brands, including Camel and Winston, in U.S. duty-free shops and overseas military outlets.
The rights were sold to Japan Tobacco Inc. in 1999 when the company, then known as RJR Nabisco, spun off the international part of its business, said Reynolds spokesman Craig Fishel.
The military and duty-free rights are being bought back by R.J. Reynolds Global Products Inc., a Reynolds American subsidiary. Japan Tobacco will retain other international rights to brands that also include Salem, Now, Vantage, More and Doral, the company said.
Following last year's merger of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and Brown & Williamson Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Global Products was formed to market B&W brands such as Kool, Dunhill, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall in duty-free shops, military outlets and some U.S. territories.
"The addition of these strong brands to our portfolio will enable us to consolidate our marketing efforts to our U.S. adult smokers who purchase products in these two channels," Global Products President John A. Scarritt said in a statement.
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