GREENVILLE, SC: Michelin North America, the world's second-largest
tiremaker behind Goodyear, is searching for a PR agency of record to
handle branding and corporate PR. "This would be a first for us, to
combine our corporate and brand PR," said Nan Banks, director of PR for
Michelin.
Michelin has hired Jones Lundin Beals, a Chicago consulting firm, to
help in the search. It hopes to pick a winner by the end of the
year.
A variety of firms are already inquiring about the business, but a
shortlist of candidates hasn't been determined.
Besides its Michelin brand, it also sells BF Goodrich, Uniroyal, and
Cavalier.
Michelin and other tire-makers spent the early part of 2001 dealing with
tire safety issues when the Ford/Firestone controversy dominated
headlines.
Last year, Michelin had about 23% of the $22.5 billion US tire
market, behind Goodyear's 28%, and ahead of Bridgestone/Firestone, which
prior to last year's tire recall had 21%.
