Bowling Green, KY – April 6, 2009 – To mark the official U.S. launch of Davidoff Slims cigarettes, Commonwealth Brands, Inc. (an Imperial Tobacco Group company and the fourth largest tobacco company in the U.S.) held an exclusive Davidoff Slims VIP Cocktail Party on March 19th at PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Members of the tobacco industry were invited to experience first-hand the superb smoking experience of Davidoff Slims, and to celebrate the continuing successful momentum of the international brand which takes the U.S. tobacco industry and social scene to a new level of sophistication and luxury.

Notable guests of the evening included key Commonwealth Brands Sales Managers and Corporate Executives, retailers, wholesalers and trade media representatives. Upon entering PURE guests were welcomed into the VIP Red Room where they sipped cocktails, enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and the rich flavor of Davidoff Slims.  The evening also included a keynote from Russ Mancuso, Vice President of Sales for Commonwealth Brands, who welcomed guests and presented his vision of the significant impact the Slims styles bring.  

“Commonwealth Brands is thrilled to include Davidoff Slims in the company’s winning portfolio of tobacco products,” said Mancuso.  “The industry welcomes the only ultra-premium slims brand backed by decades of rich heritage that competition can never match up to.  This new shape of luxury will forever change the slims category, and we are proud to personally introduce them to our valuable customers and prospects.”  

“The launch party for Davidoff Slims cigarettes was truly a unique event,” said Kathleen Gallagher of Smoker Friendly.  “There was a feeling of excitement throughout the entire evening and the size of the crowd was wonderful- everything was first-class.”

Understanding the consumer’s desire for an alternative premium slims cigarette, Commonwealth Brands introduced Davidoff Slims to the U.S. in February 2009.  Positioned as the ultra-premium slims brand in its category, the introduction of the two styles- Davidoff Slims Lights and Davidoff Slims Menthol Lights- follows the successful Spring 2008 U.S. launch of Davidoff Premium Line cigarettes.  Davidoff Premium Line cigarettes are available in Classic, Lights, Menthol and Menthol Lights formats.  

Contact:  Jenny Krieger, CMD & Partners, at (973) 227-8600 or via email at jennyk@thinkcmd.com.

About Commonwealth Brands, Inc.

Commonwealth Brands, Inc. is the fourth largest tobacco manufacturer in the United States.  Its cigarettes include Davidoff, Sonoma, Montclair and USA Gold, the nation’s eighth best seller*. Its portfolio of fine tobaccos consists of the Premier, McClintock, Rave and Bali Shag brands. The Company also manufactures a range of tobacco related products, which include Premier, Rizla and El Rey cigarette tubes, and E-Z Wider and Joker cigarette papers.  Commonwealth Brands, Inc. is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and employs over 900 people across 50 States. The Company is committed to its employees, its brands and its consumers.

*Source: Management Science Associates, Inc.

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