Return of Goodyear Airships to Europe is a Success
10 March 1999
Return of Goodyear Airships to Europe is a Success
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"We have been extremely pleased with the exposure we have received in the major newspapers, radio and television," said Sylvain Valensi, vice president of the tiremaker's European operations. "The Goodyear blimp's return to the skies of Europe has been a great success."
During the course of Goodyear's first year back in the skies of Europe, the airships have covered more than 25,000 miles over France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, he said.
On the promotional side, a line of Goodyear blimp-related merchandise was created for use by Goodyear companies throughout Europe. In 1999, a book about the highways and sights of Europe, as seen from the Goodyear airships will be published.
Like their counterparts in North and South America, Goodyear's two European airships enhance television coverage of events such as soccer and auto racing by providing an aerial camera platform. They also participate in other highly visible events, as well as other Goodyear marketing and community relations activities. Highlights of the airships' 1998 events include:
* Covering nearly 20 soccer matches in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Holland and Belgium.
* In June, the blimps supplied aerial coverage of the Le Mans 24-hour motor race in France.
* In July, Goodyear's aerial ambassador covered the Mercedes Cup tennis tournament in Germany. An audience of more than three million watched aerial shots provided by the airship.
* In August, the Goodyear blimp covered the International Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth, England. The Festival celebrated the history of Britain's ships and maritime activities.
* Later in the year, Goodyear helped with aerial coverage for a soccer match in Spain between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. An estimated audience of more than four million people watched the match on television.
Goodyear's blimp tradition began in 1925 when the company built its first helium-filled airship. Over the years, the company has built more than 300 blimps. Today, Goodyear operates three blimps in the United States -- the Eagle, based in Carson City, Calif.; the Stars & Stripes, based in Pompano Beach, Fla., and the Spirit of Akron, based in Akron, Ohio. Goodyear also operates airships in Europe, the Spirit of Europe I and the Spirit of Europe II; and a Latin American blimp, the Spirit of the Americas.