These intertwined circles aim to visualize the circulations of cigarette brands and tobacco companies between the press (Shenbao, North China Daily News) and streets of Shanghai (1905-1949). The grey circle stands for the press "milieu": cigarette brands and firms confined to the press are inscribed in this grey circle. The green circle represents outdoor spaces. Shared brands stand at the intersection of the two circles.

These circles have been built after the related brandstrees (see the "Trees" section). They have proved useful tools to separate shared/specific brands, to precisely locate and periodize either circulations or blockades between both spaces, as well as to identify periods of maximal convergences/divergences.

Six circles of this kind have been drawn - one per each timeslice, plus a synthetic circle showing "long-term" shared brands or advertisers.