1920s
Up until the 1920’s, there was no such thing as a facial tissue. That’s when Kleenex came up with a clean and convenient way to remove Cold Cream. On June 12, 1924, the new global icon was born.
1930s
Consumers soon found another benefit and use for these facial tissues - for colds! We responded with a new positioning - The handkerchief you can throw away! In 1932, we launched the first Pocket Pack tissue.
1940s
In 1941 our ‘True Confessions’ campaign received over 125,000 responses about how consumers use their Kleenex Tissues. Popular promotions and advertising continued throughout World War II and became hallmarks of our brand. Kleenex teamed up with iconic 1930’s comic strip character, Little Lulu, to help explain the changes to our tissues, during this period.
1950s
Our Brand remained an innovative leader in the market with celebrity endorsements and advertisements. The popular Little Lulu continued to sell Kleenex tissues.
1960s
Our Millicent Mill in South Australia, started up its first creped wadding machine in 1960 to produce facial tissue. In 1967, we introduced the Boutique Tissue, becoming the first in the industry to produce an upright carton.
1990s
Kleenex Cold Care is introduced to consumers, with facial tissues specifically created for those who suffer from colds or allergies. in this decade, Kleenex arrived in New Zealand when Kimberly-Clark NZ was established in 1991.
2000s
Kleenex was comforting families in over 150 countries. We launched a new Anti-Viral tissue, a super premium 3-ply tissue with a moisture-activated middle layer that was designed to help to stop cold and flu viruses. In New Zealand, Kleenex supported this by developing a routine to help teach kids about hand hygiene during the cold & flu season. The three steps, known as: 'Trap it. Bin it. Wash it', are now part of a nationwide education program in NZ schools providing kids with good personal hygiene habits, helping to prevent the spread of viruses.
2010s
Kleenex formed a relationship with Wingspan NZ to help protect endangered Karearea (NZ Falcon) and educate NZ school students about healthy forests and responsible/sustainable forestry.