Bridgestone/Firestone Takes on Larger Than Life Role
in the "Big Apple"

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 23, 2002) - Bridgestone/Firestone is moving to New York... in a manner of speaking. The company's two most famous brands are taking up residence on prominent billboards located in New York's bustling Times Square. The billboards, which were placed in late November, will be focal points in Times Square throughout 2003.

“As the ball falls to ring in the New Year, we will also be celebrating the history of our brands. Times Square is one of the most recognized places to promote a product and we are proud to have this high profile visibility in the city that is synonymous for global trade," said Phil Pacsi, executive director, consumer tire brand marketing, Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC. “By placing these billboards in Times Square, we are giving tremendous recognition to our major brands: Bridgestone and Firestone.”

The two-sided billboard is prominently displayed six stories above Broadway, and can be seen during television broadcasts from Times Square. One side features the Bridgestone brand and includes neon lights, while the other side highlights the Firestone brand.

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in the Americas.