Always China appointed to handle BAT-China Tobacco JV

The company selected Always following a five-agency pitch that is understood to have included Betterway and Spearhead. R3 managed the process but declined to comment on the news.

CTBAT launched out of Hong Kong last August. According to a statement posted by BAT last year, the joint-venture will own and manage the cigarette brand State Express 555 and own the worldwide rights outside China to the brand Shuangxi (Double Happiness).

Representatives from CTBAT and Always did not respond to Campaign’s request for comment at press time.