Bridgestone Brand Returns For Super Bowl XLIIIHalftime show and commercials spotlight Bridgestone tires
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 26, 2009) — Back for its second year on advertising’s biggest stage, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) will showcase two new commercials and serve as the title sponsor of the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLIII Halftime Show featuring Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band during the NBC telecast of Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 from Tampa Bay, Fla.
BATO will advertise with two 30-second commercials during the Super Bowl, one will run at the end of the 1st quarter the other commercial will air during the third quarter. A talented production team lead by a world-class director supported by award-winning editors and masters of digital wizardry have come together to create fun, memorable commercials that showcase the performance of Bridgestone tires and reinforce the key message that “for drivers who want to get the most out of their cars… it’s Bridgestone or nothing.” The descriptions below offer a peek at what viewers can expect to see from the Bridgestone tire commercials on Super Bowl Sunday.
“Taters”
In “Taters,” Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head – two of Hasbro Inc.’s most beloved characters – make their Super Bowl debut. Their sunny excursion on a picturesque mountain road takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a herd of sheep on a tight curve. Look for “Taters” between the first and second quarters of the game.“Hot Item”
BATO’s second spot, “Hot Item,” takes viewers to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Two music-lovin’ space travelers cruise Titan in the ultimate space vehicle equipped with high-performance, intergalactically envied Bridgestone tires. “Hot Item” will air in the third quarter.
“When it comes to getting your message out there, no advertising opportunity compares to the reach and impact of the Super Bowl,” said John Baratta, President, Replacement Tire Sales U.S. and Canada Consumer tire Sales Division. “The commercials we’ve chosen use humor, iconic characters and some pretty amazing special effects to entertain, all while showcasing Bridgestone products and their performance.” The commercials, produced again by Dallas, Texas-based independent advertising agency The Richards Group, are just one piece of the extensive partnership between the Bridgestone brand and the NFL. The partnership also includes:
- the “Official Tire of the NFL” designation;
- “Official Tire Sponsor of Super Bowl XLIII;”
- title sponsorship of the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLIII Halftime Show;
- strong presence at the NFL Experience, the interactive theme park in Tampa, Fla.,
during Super Bowl week; and - designation as “Official Tire Sponsor of the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl,” which is played
the week after the Super Bowl in Hawaii.
Super Bowl XLIII, to be held Feb. 1, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Fla., will be televised by NBC. Watched by more than 97 million viewers in the U.S. last year, the Super Bowl is annually the nation’s highest-rated TV program and the most-watched single-day sporting event.
In addition to its national partnership with the NFL, BATO has a long tradition of high-profile sports sponsorships. Bridgestone is the Official Tire of the NHL and NHLPA and recent title sponsor of the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic; the Official Tire of the PGA TOUR; the brand sponsors the World Golf Championships–Bridgestone Invitational played at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio; and Bridgestone is the official tire of the Golf Channel. In motorsports, Bridgestone is the official tire supplier of Formula One. Firestone is the Official Tire of the Indianapolis 500-Mile RaceÒ, the IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights Series. BATO also has local and regional sponsorships with properties such as the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators.
Super Bowl fans can preview teaser clips of the commercials and view behind-the-scenes footage of “Taters” and “Hot Item” at: www.TatersonTires.com or http://inr.mediaseed.tv/Bridgestone_36202/Default.aspx For broadcast-quality logos, digital photos, teaser clips and behind-the-scenes footage of the commercials, please visit: www.bridgestoneamericasmedia.com |
About Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) is a business unit of Bridgestone Americas, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. Reporting into the BATO business unit are the company's Latin American tire operations, the U.S. and Canadian consumer tire businesses and the U.S. and Canadian commercial tire businesses. BATO develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The business unit is focused on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in the Americas. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.