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Joint Firestone/Ketchum Statement

11 September 2000

Joint Firestone/Ketchum Statement

    NASHVILLE--Sept. 11, 2000-- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (BFS) today announced that Ketchum, the world-wide public relations consultancy, has been selected to become its public relations agency, effective immediately.
    Acknowledging the controversy that has surrounded BFS in recent weeks, Masatoshi Ono, CEO of BFS said, "We know that we have been slow in responding to public concerns, that we underestimated the intensity of the situation, and that we have been too focused on internal details. As a result, there is a high-degree of concern about our motives and behavior. We are determined to change all that."
    Mr. Ono cited the recent announcement that BFS would be hiring an outside expert to consult with them in determining the root cause of the tire failures that have contributed to these tragic accidents, but he also went on to add that this might not be enough. "We will actively seek to develop an open, transparent review process so that people can have confidence that the process was honest."
    David Drobis, Chairman of Ketchum, expressed confidence in the direction the company was taking. "We met with their top management, and after many hours of very direct, frank and honest discussions, we are convinced that this company knows how great a challenge lies ahead and is willing to both act in the best interests of its customers and do so in a way that they can regain the public's confidence."
    Mr. Ono said, "As we testified in the recent Congressional hearings, we know that it is our challenge and our responsibility to rebuild confidence in the company and in our commitment to safety. We know that we will be judged not by our words but by our actions, and we are determined to regain public confidence through our actions. We know we must be open, honest and responsive both when there is good news and bad."