Goodyear Blimp 100th Anniversary: Marketing, Merch, Majestic Experience
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at 04:43PM By Barry Janoff
January 1, 2025: In 1955, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s Goodyear Blimp flew over the Rose Bowl College Football Game in Pasadena, seen by the more than 89,100 people in attendance and also viewers on NBC watching Ohio State play USC.
That marked the first time the dirigible was seen at a sports event, following a request from NBC to provide aerial coverage of the Rose Bowl Parade and the Rose Bowl game.
But the use of the blimp dates back to the Pilgrim in 1925, when Goodyear Tire first used them “as a public relations vehicle to drive brand awareness for the company.”
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp in 2025, Goodyear Tire is planning flights in more than 100 cities across North America and Europe, aerial appearances at jewel sports events, first-time appearances at music and other cultural festivals, merchandise and a sweepstakes offering the opportunity for a flight on the Goodyear Blimp.
“The Goodyear Blimp is an enduring symbol of both nostalgia and innovation for fans around the world,” Mark Stewart, CEO and president of Goodyear, said via the company.
“With its century-long history and unique ability to instill a sense of wonder in those who experience it — whether from on the ground or in the air, the blimp gives Goodyear a way to connect with the public in a way no other tire company can match.”
The schedule includes Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Indio (Calif.), Las Vegas, Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis. (See upcoming schedule here.)
Goodyear said it recognizes June 3, 2025 as the official date of the blimp's 100th anniversary, which marks 100 years since the inaugural flight of its first branded blimp, Pilgrim.
The celebration began on New Year’s Day when the Goodyear Blimp returned to the Rose Bowl Stadium at the 111th annual Rose Bowl game, an event that also marked the 70th anniversary of aerial coverage.
To date, the blimp has covered more than 2,000 sports and entertainment events, including Super Bowl I in January 1967.
In January 2019, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta inducted the Goodyear Blimp as its first “non-player or coach” inductee.
Through the years, beyond sports, the Goodyear Blimp has appeared at marquee events; been featured in songs, movies and TV shows; generated millions of dollars for charities and communities; and aided the U.S. Military effort during WWII, according to the company.
One highlight of Goodyear Blimp lore: actually taking a ride.
“While the popular airship has been witnessed by millions of people around the world from the ground, each year, only 0.0006% of Americans can say they have flown in the Goodyear Blimp,” according to Goodyear.
For the first time, to support 100th anniversary activation, Goodyear will be giving three U.S. fans a chance to join this exclusive club and win a flight on the Goodyear Blimp with the "Buy for a Chance to Fly" sweepstakes.
Each fan will win a blimp flight certificate for two passengers redeemable at any of Goodyear's three U.S. airship bases (Carson, Calif; Pompano Beach, Fla.; Akron, Ohio) along with a $3,000 voucher for travel and accommodations.
From Jan. 1 through April 10, 2025, people seeking to winning a flight are encouraged to purchase tires on Goodyear.com or through Goodyear's Auto Service or Just Tires network and enter the sweepstakes via a form on Goodyear.com. (Details here.)
Merchandise for the 100th anniversary includes hats, T-Shirts, hoodies, cups, bags, towels, key rings and magnets (pictured).
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