AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With 57 percent of the vote, the marquee matchup between Notre Dame at Michigan State, was named winner of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's (NYSE: GT) "Blimpworthy" poll and will draw aerial coverage by the iconic Goodyear Blimp during the Sept. 15 college football contest. The game was officially announced as the winner on ESPN2's SportsNation broadcast, defeating matchups between University of Texas at University of Mississippi (25 percent), and University of California at Ohio State (18 percent).

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"We would like to thank the thousands of fans that took the time to vote in the 'Blimpworthy' poll, and we are excited to bring the iconic Goodyear Blimp to this game and deliver its unique views and incredible aerial coverage," said Garth Ely, Goodyear's director of brand marketing.  

The poll kicked off with an official announcement during Sept. 5's ESPNU's SportsNation broadcast, where fans voted on the websites of Goodyear and ESPN to decide where the Goodyear Blimp would provide aerial coverage. The choices included the three college football games with voting ending at midnight on Sept. 7.

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.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 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 or its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company