Goodyear Expands Advertising Role of Akron Agency

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the movement of creative and image advertising and marketing for its Kelly tire brand to Akron-based Hitchcock Fleming & Associates, an agency associated with Goodyear retail marketing for more than five decades. The move was made without an agency review.

Effective in February 2007, Hitchcock Fleming & Associates becomes the managing agency for Goodyear's Kelly and associated brands, such as Fierce, Republic and Remington. The brand management work is being transferred from Cleveland-based Marcus Thomas.

"Kelly has been one of the leading value brands in the tire industry for many years, and Goodyear continues to strategically position it as a key component in the company's overall brand portfolio," said Joey Viselli, Goodyear's director of marketing for North America. "We appreciate the many years of work by Marcus Thomas to build and support Kelly, but it makes sense to consolidate this work with Hitchcock Fleming & Associates."

Hitchcock, Fleming & Associates currently provides Goodyear with strategic retail leadership and creativity, with work on the company's flagship Goodyear and Dunlop tire brands. The multi-purpose agency has provided additional work for Goodyear's multichannels, such as company-owned stores, Just Tires retail stores, independent retailers and the company's network of more than 1,900 Gemini outlets.

"As we move forward with all of our relevant brands, it is essential that we coordinate our brand marketing and investment strategies. While Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly will retain distinct brand equities, this agency consolidation helps to simplify the planning and ensure coordination between brands," Viselli said.

Hitchcock Fleming & Associates is recognized for past Goodyear account work, including the launch of the company's popular Assurance tire line in 2004. The agency has been honored with several industry awards for Goodyear-related work. This includes three 2006 ACE Awards from the New York City Business Marketing Association, and five 2006 Telly Awards for television/video work.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. The company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 100 facilities in 29 countries around the world. Goodyear employs about 80,000 people worldwide. Company information can be found at www.goodyear.com.

Established in 1940, Hitchcock Fleming & Associates Inc. has served a broad range of retail, consumer, industrial and business-to-business clients on a local, regional, national and international basis. Capabilities include marketing; research; strategic planning; print, broadcast, outdoor and specialty advertising; media planning/buying; and more. Learn more at www.teamhfa.com.

By The GoodYear Tires