Initially, Chesterfield cigarettes without a filter had a length of 70 millimeters, but later, in order not to lose their position in America, Liggett & Myers developed 85 mm Chesterfield cigarettes. It happened in 1952. Versions with a filter appeared in 1966, followed by such varieties as Chesterfield 101s (1967), Chesterfield 100s (1983). The last version at that time – Chesterfield Lights – was released in 1988.
The name of the tobacco company Liggett & Myers was changed to Liggett Group in 1976. And in 1978, Liggett sold the international rights to its brands to Philip Morris International. Twenty-one years later, Philip Morris (USA) (now Altria) became the owner of American rights to use and sell brands such as Chesterfield cigarettes, L & M and Lark. It still produces Chesterfield cigarettes, but at discounted prices.
In April 2008, the traditional design of the Chesterfield cigarettes pack underwent a number of changes: on three sides of the tutu unfolds an illustration – the narrative of the brand; the side of the pack with its color indicates belonging to a certain taste option. Cigarette names have also changed: Chesterfield Filter Cigarettes changes to Chesterfield Classic Red; Chesterfield Lights Cigarettes are now called Chesterfield Classic Blue; in turn, Chesterfield Ultra Lights Cigarettes change their name to Chesterfield Classic Bronze.
Chesterfield spent a lot of money and effort to penetrate books, plays and Broadway productions. Cunning marketers managed to squeeze their cigarettes even into rock culture. So, in San Francisco there is even a hard rock band The Chesterfields. In general, the secret of success is simple: believe in yourself, do not pay attention to attacks, remember that there are no forbidden techniques in the tobacco business – and then success awaits you. In the case of Chesterfield cigarettes, it worked 100 percent.
Chesterfield also sponsored the famous Glen Miller radio show and the television series Gunsmoke for several years. On the advertising posters of the brand, sports stars – baseball players and football players – were frequent guests. Not only that, one of the posters is emblazoned with none other than Ronald Reagan. Of course, this was back when he was just a famous actor, not the most effective president.