Displaying items by tag: Goodyear Blimp

(Goodyear) To celebrate its legacy in the sport, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame will induct the Goodyear Blimp as an honorary member of the College Football Hall of Fame. The blimp will be the first non-player or coach to be inducted.

What started as a request from network television to provide aerial coverage for the 1955 Rose Bowl Game telecast has turned into a long-standing commitment to college football coverage. Since then, the blimp has covered more than 2,000 games from the Rose to the Cotton Bowl and everything in between. For players and fans, the blimp has come to signify the magnitude of games and the superior performances that take place on the field.   

“College players and fans know that when the Goodyear Blimp shows up, it’s a big game. Its presence is intrinsically known and tied to the traditions that make college football so great,” said Archie Manning, National Football Foundation chairman. “As the eye in the sky to college football’s greatest coaches, players and moments, it’s only fitting that the Goodyear Blimp joins the College Football Hall of Fame in a year when the game celebrates its 150th anniversary.”

“I’ve been lucky enough to both play and broadcast underneath the shadow of one of sports’ biggest icons, and each time it’s special,” said Kirk Herbstreit, former college football player and ESPN analyst. “For me, playing under the blimp felt like a payoff for the hard work that goes into game day, so I’m excited it’s getting recognized for its contributions to college football.”

In its sports history, the Goodyear Blimp achieved major broadcast “firsts,” including the first to provide aerial coverage of a major sports event and the first to deliver high definition live video to a national sports game. That innovation intended to enhance the players and fans’ experience continues to this day with a BlimpCast on Jan. 7 when ESPN will conduct a live production of the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship from inside the Goodyear Blimp airing on ESPN3 and the ESPN App as part of ESPN’s MegaCast presentation.

“Goodyear is proud that our iconic airship is an honorary member of the College Football Hall of Fame and will live in the company of college football legends,” said Todd Macsuga, Goodyear’s general manager brand marketing, North America consumer. “The Goodyear Blimp has established itself as a symbol of the greatness that takes place on college football fields each Saturday.”

Fans will be able to experience the blimp’s history in college football with a new exhibit set to open later this year at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The exhibit will showcase historical blimp artifacts, video footage, pictures and more.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 64,000 people and manufactures its products in 47 facilities in 21 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.

About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include Football Matters^®, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy^®, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments – a proud partner of the Campbell Trophy^®, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Sports Business Journal, SportsManias, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.

The Goodyear Blimp will represent Akron, and provide stunning live aerial coverage, during this year's Canada Day celebration in Ottowa. 

This year marks the country's 150th Canada Day celebration, marking the country's birthday. The celebration is Saturday, July 1st, and will feature a parade, fireworks, and more, all covered by the Wingfoot Two. 

It's the second trip to Canada for the Wingfoot Two; last year the blimp flew to Toronto to cover the World Cup of Hockey. 

See more from Goodyear in the press release below: 

(Goodyear) The Goodyear Blimp is returning to Canada this summer to take part in Canada Day celebrations in the nation’s capital on July 1. As the country celebrates its 150th birthday, the blimp will provide live aerial coverage of Ottawa’s festivities and fireworks, offering breathtaking views of the city below. The Goodyear Blimp is returning to Canada after two visits in 2016. The now-retired Spirit of Innovation blimp traveled from California to Abbotsford, B.C. in July, and Wingfoot Two, Goodyear’s newest and largest airship, spent two weeks in the Toronto area in September providing aerial coverage of the World Cup of Hockey.

“From the Olympic Games to World Series and Super Bowls, the Goodyear Blimps have a long tradition of being part of the most watched sports and entertainment events in North America and around the world,” said Paul Fitzhenry, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief communications officer. “Canada 150 marks an important milestone in the country’s history and we are honored to be part of the celebration, working with our Canadian broadcast partners to deliver captivating aerial coverage to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

“Having the iconic Goodyear Blimp fly above Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation will add yet another notable moment to the year-long celebrations we are enjoying in 2017,” said Michael Crockatt, president and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “The views from the blimp on Canada Day—July 1—of the hundreds of thousands of revelers in our streets will be spectacular!” 

Wingfoot Two will fly over Ottawa on July 1 and those who spot it are encouraged to share photos on social media using the hashtag #TrueNorthBlimp. As part of the visit, the airship will fly customers and media, as well as the two lucky winners of Goodyear’s recent blimp ride sweepstakes. The blimp will cross the border into Canada near Watertown, N.Y. and travel to Carp Airport, west of Ottawa, arriving on June 29. It will remain in the Ottawa area until July 2 when it returns to its base in Akron, Ohio.

Wingfoot Two is one of the largest and most technologically advanced airships in the world. Nearly the length of a football field and capable of flying more than 110 km/h, it builds on Goodyear’s legacy as the world’s leading builder and operator of airships. Wingfoot Two will spend the remainder of the summer in Akron before relocating to southern California where it will be permanently stationed to make room for the next blimp being built in Akron. 

The Larry O'Brien Trophy has made the rounds since the Cavs locked up the 2016 NBA World Championship, defeating the Golden State Warriors. Now the championship trophy can boast a bird's-eye view from the Goodyear Blimp, after a trip in the iconic conveyance. 

It's the first time the blimp has given a ride to any professional sports championship trophy. 

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is boasting a new commercial campaign that will run during games throughout the 2016 NCAA college football season. 

It's been dubbed "Blimpworthy" and features the voice OF the Goodyear Blimp. The commercial chronicles the storied 60-plus-year career of the Goodyear blimp, recapping some of college footballs most celebrated moments. 

Read more about the new ad campaign from Cleveland.com, and watch the commercial below: 

Again this holiday season, you'll be able to get a close-up look at a Goodyear blimp, and help out Toys for Tots.

It'll take place at the Goodyear blimp hangar at Wingfoot Lake in Suffield, this year from December 11th through the 13th.

Visitors can see construction on the company's second "new generation airship", and have an opportunity to donate to the Toys for Tots program.

You'll also have a chance to win a free blimp ride if you come to the event, or you can go to Goodyear's blimp website for an entry.

Similar events will be held at Goodyear's bases in Florida and California.

-------

(Goodyear, news release) The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will conduct their fifth joint maneuver benefitting the Toys for Tots Foundation at Goodyear's U.S. blimp bases in Ohio, California and Florida. These events will provide the public with an opportunity to make a donation to Toys for Tots while enjoying a close-up view of the airships.

Following is the schedule of events:

• Akron, Ohio: Dec. 11-13, from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Visitors can see the progress ofconstruction on the second of the company's new generation NT airships at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake hangar.
• Pompano Beach, Fla.: Dec. 12-13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring Goodyear's newest airship, "Wingfoot One".
• Carson, Calif.: Dec. 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring the "Spirit of Innovation" blimp.

There is no charge and a donation is not required to enjoy the holiday scene and see the blimps. At each location, visitors can enter a draw to a win a blimp ride. Official entry forms for the Goodyear Toys for Tots Blimp Ride Sweepstakes can be obtained at the event or by visiting www.goodyearblimp.com. The completed form can be submitted at the event or via U.S. mail. More details can be found at http://www.goodyearblimp.com/news-and-events/news.html.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps to bring holiday cheer to our communities while supporting the Toys for Tots Program," said Paul Fitzhenry, the company's senior vice president, Global Communications. "We are looking forward to a great turnout once again this year."