Fans voted Clemson-SC game "Blimpworthy"

by Press Release - Thu Nov 28 09:59:15 GMT-04:00 2013

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 27, 2013 -- With 49 percent of the nation's vote, the marquee matchup of Clemson vs. South Carolina was named the winner of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's "Blimpworthy™" poll and will draw aerial coverage, weather permitting, by the iconic Goodyear Blimp during the November 30 rivalry weekend football contest. The game was officially announced as the winner on ESPN2's SportsNation broadcast, defeating matchups between Florida State vs. Florida (44 percent), and Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (7 percent).

"We would like to thank the legions of college football fans across the nation that voted in the 'Blimpworthy' poll," said Gary Melliere, Goodyear's General Manager - Brand/Sponsorships. "We are excited to bring the iconic Goodyear Blimp and the outstanding aerial coverage it provides fans to the University of South Carolina for the much anticipated rivalry weekend game against Clemson."

The poll kicked off with an official announcement during ESPN2's SportsNation broadcast on November 20, where passionate fans voted on the websites of Goodyear and ESPN to decide where the Goodyear Blimp would appear this Thanksgiving weekend. College football fans across the nation registered more than 41,000 votes to crown the Clemson vs. South Carolina game "Blimpworthy."

Goodyear's blimps are among the most recognizable brand icons, representing the largest tire company in North America. They have adorned the skies since 1925 and have served America as aerial aircraft carriers, surveillance airships protecting merchant ships and early warning radar stations through the 1950s. Today, the fleet consists of three North American airships - Spirit of America in Carson, CA; Spirit of Goodyear in Akron, OH; and Spirit of Innovation in Pompano Beach, FL.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com.