Cooper Tire 'Drives On' With Fahlgren

16 August 1999
Cooper Tire 'Drives On' With Fahlgren
    FINDLEY, Ohio, Aug. 16 -- COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
has named Fahlgren, Inc. advertising agency-of-record for the
Findlay, Ohio-based tire and engineered rubber products marketer following a
comprehensive national agency search and review.  The account is expected to
bill $5 million and continue to grow brand awareness using the successful
association Cooper has with golfing legend, Arnold Palmer.
    "This is an important step in our growth plan," said Patricia Brown,
Director of Communications for Cooper.  "We screened over seventy agencies
before narrowing the final list to five.  We saw some great ideas through the
process; however, we were extremely impressed by the insight about the
automotive aftermarket and the creative work we saw from Fahlgren.  Also their
international capabilities will be an asset as we expand our global presence.
We are confident we made a great choice."
    Agencies included in the finals were Harris Drury Cohen, Cramer-Krasselt,
Bozell, incumbent Fogarty Klein and Fahlgren.
    "We are very proud to represent Cooper Tire & Rubber Company," said Steve
Drongowski, Fahlgren President and CEO.  "They are an important national brand
and they've built a great company in their category.  Cooper hired us for a
lot of good reasons, and we're looking forward to working hard for their
continued success."
    The Fahlgren pitch combined the talents of both their Dublin and Toledo,
Ohio offices.  "This enables us to deliver the best combination of talent,
experience and service," said Drongowski.  "Because of their proximity, we
operate those offices as one.  Over the years, this has give us the ability to
build a critical mass of talent, and it has made our work very competitive."
    Founded in 1914, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a leading manufacturer of
tires and engineered rubber products widely recognized for its strong customer
service commitment.  In tires, the company exclusively targets the larger
replacement market, with a mix divided between proprietary house brand and
private label customers.  Cooper markets its tires in more than 100 countries
around the world.  In engineered rubber products, the company serves virtually
every light vehicle manufacturer in the U.S. and Canada, as well as an
expanding number of European-based original equipment manufacturers.  For more
information on Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, visit the company's web site at
http://www.coopertire.com.
    Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Fahlgren lists billings of $170 million.
Agency clients include Owens Corning, Dana Corporation, NAPA, Florida Travel &
Tourism, Premier Cruise Lines, The Columbus Dispatch, Kroger, McDonald's
Restaurants, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studio, New Line Cinemas and Fine
Line Features.