Community Involvement, Industry Transition Continue at CT-Headquartered Philip Morris International

Reflecting its continued local community support, Philip Morris International (PMI)  has announced plans for a charity concert in Stamford, to benefit leading workforce development nonprofit Career Resources, Inc (CRI).

Featuring three-time Grammy Award winner, producer, actor, and philanthropist Wyclef Jean, the concert will support CRI’s work helping veterans advance their civilian careers via job training and workforce transition services.

The concert will take place on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, as part of Downtown’s Alive At Five summer concert series. In addition to a donation being made from PMI to support CRI, the company is also donating the artist fees for Wyclef’s performance. In a first for the concert series, a text-to-donate campaign will be displayed on the stage throughout the concert, enabling audience members to donate directly to CRI.

“Partnering with communities on meaningful solutions is a core part of who we are as a company,” said Marian Salzman, Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer, PMI. “Contributing to a vibrant and thriving downtown is critical to ensuring Stamford is a place where we can grow, prosper, and attract the best talent from around the world. By working together with community-based groups, we aim to accelerate progress on vital issues across Connecticut and the United States.”

“Career Resources, Inc. is pleased to partner with PMI to help justice impacted individuals gain the skills necessary to secure employment and have an opportunity at the American Dream,” said Scott K. Wilderman, President & CEO, Career Resources, Inc. “We are excited about the impact we will have together.”

Philip Morris International Inc. was ranked first in Forbes’ 2024 Net Zero Leaders ranking, announced this month, which highlights the 100 U.S. public companies best positioned to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Forbes used data from firms Sustainalytics and Morningstar to rank companies’ commitment to a net zero future. It also considered each company’s management structure to aid in risk assessment, governance, strategy, metrics for achieving decarbonization goals, as well as financial strength to withstand industry competition and economic turmoil.

“As we transform our company toward a smoke-free future, we strive to do so in the most sustainable way possible, including by leading in decarbonization,” said Jacek Olczak, Chief Executive Officer of PMI. “We are honored to be recognized by Forbes as the highest-ranked company among businesses at the forefront of working toward net zero.”

Since moving its corporate headquarters to Stamford in 2022, PMI has established itself as a vital proponent of equity, job creation, and economic development. In addition to corporate giving, PMI employees are involved in the community through volunteerism, including via Person to Person, a nonprofit that provides essential services to residents of lower Fairfield County.

 PMI leaders are also giving back through membership on the boards of local nonprofits. For instance, Stacey Kennedy, President, Americas Region & CEO of PMI’s U.S. business, serves on the board of AdvanceCT, while Troy Modlin, Vice President, State Government Affairs Officer U.S., sits on the board of the Stamford Partnership.

“When we chose Stamford as our home, we fully committed to being a partner in the community,” said Stacey Kennedy, President, Americas Region & CEO of PMI’s U.S. business. “By participating in a range of community organizations, we are working to ensure that our presence has a positive impact in Stamford, and across Connecticut.”

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons noted PMI’s role: “PMI is a key part of Stamford’s vibrant and innovative business community. By supporting initiatives like the Stamford Parks Community Partnership, they are ensuring that investment in our city and its park system benefits all of its residents.”

Other recent corporate initiatives include committing $5 million to the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), a groundbreaking organization that removes barriers that, for too long, have prevented women’s full participation in Connecticut’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“PMI has come into the Stamford community and made an immediate and lasting positive impact,” said David Kooris, President, Stamford Downtown. “We are grateful to have forged such a productive partnership with the company and are excited to bring the incomparable Wyclef Jean to the stage while also benefitting military veterans who have given so much to our nation and communities.”

Wyclef is a long-time collaborator of PMI, having performed on behalf of the company at the Cannes Festival of Ideas, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos and United Nations General Assembly, and in several markets worldwide, including Milan, Italy.

A leading international tobacco company, PMI is actively delivering a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector, according to company officials.

Since 2008, PMI has invested $12.5 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate, and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of world-class scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, as well as post-market studies.

When the company announced its headquarters move to Connecticut in 2021, CEO Olczak said: “Connecticut offers a valuable mix of technological know-how, future-forward thinking, and an open-minded approach to problem-solving.  We consider it an ideal location for our new U.S. head office, where we will be working to more quickly achieve our vision of a smoke-free future.”

“We are excited about what the state has to offer our company, our employees, and their families—and we very much look forward to integrating into the community in a meaningful way,” he added.  “We are amid a profound transformation at PMI, and our new base in Connecticut will serve to accelerate our progress.”

As of December 31, 2023, PMI’s smoke-free products were available for sale in 84 markets, and PMI estimates that approximately 20.8 million adults around the world had already switched to the company’s IQOS alternative product and stopped smoking. Smoke-free products accounted for approximately 37 percent of PMI’s total full-year 2023 net revenues, according to officials.

PMI is a member or sponsor of several Connecticut-based organizations, including AdvanceCT, Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA), Connecticut Retail Network (CRN), Motor Transport Association of Connecticut (MTAC), Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Parks Community Partnership, and the Stamford Partnership.

Ticket information about the concert is available at Stamford Downtown Alive At Five