Ferrari denies subliminal Marlboro livery

Ferrari denies subliminal Marlboro livery

Ferrari has dismissed suggestions that its car livery is using subliminal Marlboro advertising, after calls from leading doctors for a government inquiry into the matter.

A report in The Timeson Thursday said that a host of medical figures had called on the British and Spanish governments to look into the extent of Marlboro's backing of Ferrari and especially the use of the barcode that is used on the cars.

Ferrari took the decision to publish a statement on its website on Thursday night rubbishing the claims and stating it was baffled why its colour scheme was being picked out by doctors.

"Today and in recent weeks, articles have been published relating to the partnership contract between Scuderia Ferrari and Philip Morris International, questioning its legality," said the Ferrari statement.

"These reports are based on two suppositions: that part of the graphics featured on the Formula 1 cars are reminiscent of the Marlboro logo and even that the red colour which is a traditional feature of our cars is a form of tobacco publicity.

"Neither of these arguments have any scientific basis, as they rely on some alleged studies which have never been published in academic journals. But more importantly, they do not correspond to the truth.

"The so-called barcode is an integral part of the livery of the car and of all images coordinated by the Scuderia, as can be seen from the fact it is modified every year and, occasionally even during the season. Furthermore, if it was a case of advertising branding, Philip Morris would have to own a legal copyright on it.

"The partnership between Ferrari and Philip Morris is now only exploited in certain initiatives, such as factory visits, meetings with the drivers, merchandising products, all carried out fully within the laws of the various countries where these activities take place. There has been no logo or branding on the race cars since 2007, even in countries where local laws would still have permitted it.

"The premise that simply looking at a red Ferrari can be a more effective means of publicity than a cigarette advertisement seems incredible: how should one assess the choice made by other Formula 1 teams to race a car with a predominantly red livery or to link the image of a driver to a sports car of the same colour? Maybe these companies also want to advertise smoking!

"It should be pointed out that red has been the recognised colour for Italian racing cars since the very beginning of motor sport, at the start of the twentieth century: if there is an immediate association to be made, it is with our company rather than with our partner."

SOURCE: Autosport.com

Ed: to be honest this seems like a complete non-story given that most people who watch the sport regularly already know what the livery means. Also as it is a 10 year contract that started in 2001 surely it will be over come next year anyway so why make a fuss with only 6 months left

Ferrari removes barcode design

Ferrari has removed the controversial 'barcode' design from the side of its car from this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix following controversy about it being subliminal advertising for title sponsor Marlboro.

A report in The Times newspaper last week revealed that leading doctors were putting pressure on governments to investigate whether the red, white and black bar code that had featured on the Ferrari cars for several years was a clever way of promoting its title sponsor's cigarette brand.

Ferrari reacted angrily to the claims - suggesting that the barcode design was not copyrighted by Marlboro owner Phillip Morris and that it had chosen the concept alone. The bar code also featured on the Ducati MotoGP bikes too, though.

Earlier this week, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo labelled any claim that the design was promoting Marlboro as 'nonsense.'

"Frankly, I find this argument completely pointless and it is verging on the ridiculous to claim that the colour red or a graphic design which shows a bar code could induce people to smoke," di Montezemolo said on Ferrari's website.

"At a time when, on the other side of the Atlantic they are fighting to provide a more equal health service, in the old continent of Europe, so called experts are racking their brains to come up with theories that have no scientific basis: I think there are more important matters to think about than a bar code.

"Therefore, it's best not to waste any more time replying to this sort of nonsense or to those who are instrumental in wanting to stoke up the story."

Despite that stance, Ferrari opted on Thursday to remove the barcode design from its cars immediately.

A statement issued by the team said: "Together with Philip Morris International we have decided to modify the livery of our cars starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix.

"This decision was taken in order to remove all speculation concerning the so-called 'barcode' which was never intended to be a reference to a tobacco brand.

"By this we want to put an end to this ridiculous story and concentrate on more important things than on such groundless allegations."

SOURCE: autosport.com

Am I the only one who remembers Ferrari doing the barcode thing to get around the advertising on smoking ban? It was as soon as it came in, I'm sure they mentioned it was to advertise Marlboro without actually having the name on...Redders1989

I was also under that impression, so this story was surprising.

[QUOTE="Redders1989"]Am I the only one who remembers Ferrari doing the barcode thing to get around the advertising on smoking ban? It was as soon as it came in, I'm sure they mentioned it was to advertise Marlboro without actually having the name on...cjek

I was also under that impression, so this story was surprising.

Same.