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Goodyear Announces New Airship for Australia    

1 June 1999

Goodyear Announces New Airship for Australia    

    SYDNEY, Australia, May 31 -- In keeping with the
corporation's mission of expansion, Goodyear announced today that it is adding
another blimp to its global fleet of corporate icons.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990531/CLM001 )
    The company's seventh airship will be based in Australia and will provide
aerial network television coverage for events throughout the country, which
will host the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
    "There is no more recognizable corporate symbol than the Goodyear blimps,"
said Goodyear Chairman Samir Gibara.  "With our newest airship in Australia,
this will further expand Goodyear's presence around the globe."
    In addition to Goodyear's North American fleet of three airships, the
company has two blimps in Europe and one in Latin America.  Goodyear is the
recognized leader of blimp operations, having business ties in airship
marketing and public relations for more than 60 years.
    The airship in Australia, called "Spirit of the South Pacific," will fly
primarily in support of Goodyear's joint venture operation South Pacific
Tyres, based in Melbourne.  As in Latin America and Europe, the airship will
be operated by The Lightship Group.
    "We are extremely excited about being included in the Goodyear airship
family," said South Pacific Tyres Chief Executive John Gurrieri.  "This will
assist us in promoting the Goodyear brand throughout the country."
    South Pacific Tyres is a 50/50 joint venture between The Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company of the U.S., and Pacific Dunlop, Ltd., of Australia.  South
Pacific Tyres manufactures and markets both the Goodyear and Dunlop tyre
brands in Australia and New Zealand.
    The airship will begin network television coverage with the June 12,
opening of the newly constructed Olympic Stadium in Sydney.  Other events
planned for network coverage include the Australian Football League playoffs
in Melbourne, the Bathurst 1000 motor race in Sydney, the World 500cc
Motorcycle championships in Melbourne, and the Tri-Nationals Rugby Union
championships in Brisbane.