The Goodyear Blimp: Not Simply a Gasbag

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By: Doug Bedell

Consider an analogy between the current construction of a new Goodyear blimp, one of the most renowned PR symbols of all time, and the launching of a PR project. PR as a technique doesn't just get inflated with zest until it floats above whatever horizon one's seeking to influence. A PR initiative needs to be astutely designed to accomplish its purpose. As with the new Goodyear blimp, which will have internal girders instead of being "simply" an air bag. It's being called the Goodyear Blimp NT, for new technology.

So next time you see the Goodyear blimp cruising above a sporting venue, consider how it got there. The NT will have a maximum speed of 73 miles per hour, against 54 for the current one, and it isn't "just PR" that's creating its high tech fabric envelope. For which the crew, not to mention Goodyear itself, can be grateful.

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About the Author

Doug Bedell has a background in journalism and PR and is the owner of Resource Relations LLC in Central PA, focusing on organizational and crisis communication. He’s the community manager of SimplyFair.net, a social network on fairness. On the Web, Doug’s at www.ResourceRelations.com. On Twitter, he’s @DougBeetle.

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