Goodyear Blimps Support Tire Safety Awareness via National Tour

    AKRON, Ohio, July 12 Head's up! Goodyear is sending its
biggest "attention getter" across America to support a consumer awareness
campaign focused on tire safety.
    Starting in July, Goodyear's fleet of North American airships is visiting
more than 25 major cities on a "Safety Tour" promoting tire care and educating
consumers concerning what they can do to aid in the safe operation of their
tires.
    "Because of recent events, tire safety awareness has never been more
critical, so we're taking the message to the public in an effort to improve
their understanding of what they can do to help keep their tires operating
properly," said John Polhemus, president of Goodyear's North American Tire
business unit.
    The blimps will use their aerial sign technology, called EagleVision, to
remind the public to check their tire inflation, tread depth and, when in
doubt, visit their local Goodyear stores for a free safety inspection.  The
eye-catching sign is visible day or night, can be programmed in
256 colors with logos and graphics, and can be seen up to a mile away.
    "It's been said that if the Goodyear blimp is overhead, it must be an
important event," said John Perduyn, senior vice president of Goodyear's
Global Communications group.  "The blimp's overhead display in these cities
will help communicate important safety information to as many people as
possible."
    Recently, the blimps have been running a message asking consumers, "Have
you thought about your tires today?" and suggesting they call Goodyear or
visit its website for important safety information. Goodyear has seen a jump
in calls to 1-800-GOODYEAR and visits to its website, http://www.goodyear.com .
    "Hopefully, we'll see the same type of response from the public around the
country and people will start to pay more attention to tire maintenance,"
Perduyn said.  "People don't realize the risks of running their tires
underinflated, overloading their vehicles or not checking their tires after
running over something in the road.  We need consumers to take tire safety
more seriously and check their tires more often."
    The blimps are tentatively scheduled to travel more than 6,000 miles,
visit more than 25 cities and display their messages to a potential viewing
audience of more than 30 million people.  The airships plan to operate in New
Orleans, Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Memphis, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland,
Seattle, Indianapolis, Detroit, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Los
Angeles, San Diego and Atlanta.  Other cities will be scheduled as the tour
continues to spread the word on tire safety.
    "Goodyear will tie in local promotions with its dealers and stores
wherever possible to generate interest and excitement with our customers,"
said Polhemus.  "Our retailers continue to be at the forefront of consumer
safety, providing advice on tire selection for specific applications,
recommendations on proper tire pressure and rotation schedules, and offering
customers free tire inspections."
    Goodyear's three North American airships are based in Pompano Beach, Fla.;
Akron, Ohio; and Los Angeles, Calif.
    For more information about Goodyear, its consumer products or its airship
fleet, visit http://www.goodyear.com .