James J. Morgan

James Morgan joined Philip Morris in 1963 following his graduation from Princeton University with a degree in history.

[1] He was Brand Manager for Marlboro from 1972 to 1973 and later was Assistant Director of Tobacco Brand Management, during which time he earned a reputation as one of the top marketing minds of the 1970s by helping to develop and market the image of the Marlboro Man.

At the time he left Philip Morris, Morgan was serving as vice-president of the company.

During his second stint with the company, he was most famous for his claims that cigarettes are no more addictive than gummy bears and that Philip Morris had never attempted to intentionally market tobacco products toward minors.

Morgan was appointed president and CEO in 1994 and retired from Philip Morris on November 1, 1997.