Bridgestone Puts Young Journalists on the Fast Track to Success

BRUSSELS 4. 2. 2003 (ots) - Bridgestone Europe (BSEU) ispaving the way for young journalists who dream of becomingprofessional writers. The Bridgestone Digital Reporter is anonline writing competition open to students of journalism acrossEurope. The contest is launched on the new European web site, inline with BSEU's communication plan. Three winners will bechosen to attend a European press event organised by Bridgestone(17-21 March 2003) in Mugello, Italy. A super winner will beselected to cover an upcoming Formula One (F1) race in Europe2003.

"This press event is all about bringing the tyre from thetrack to the street, so in the same way we're bringing theconcept of sports journalism from the circuit to the mainstream,"says Des Collins, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing Europe. "Italso proves that we care about the future of young motivatedindividuals in automotive journalism by putting them behind thewheel of success," he adds.

Finalists will be invited to Mugello to work alongside 80 ofEurope's top automotive journalists at a press launch for BSEU'snew tyre, the Potenza RE050. This ultra high-performance tyre isthe direct result of combining F1 technology with manufacturer'sdemands. Winners will be in the hot seat, providing daily onlinecoverage for the BSEU web site including interviews and reports.Aside from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness car andtyre testing up close, they will also have a VIP visit ofFerrari's headquarters and a taste of the region with a scenictour.

This unprecedented e-event will be launched in February tofull-time journalism students aged 18-30 from Europeanuniversities and high schools. In order for students to qualify,they must complete an online entry form by February 28th, whichincludes writing three texts in English on selected topics. Ajury of nine people including three automotive journalists, threejournalism professors and three senior members of the BSEUmanagement will complete a three-step selection process. Winnerswill be contacted March 10th and results will be announced onwww.bridgestone-eu.com

"These young talents will have the opportunity to practicetheir craft in real time, and also see the testing of some of thesportiest and most technologically-advanced vehicles on themarket," says Mr. Collins. "This is a great opportunity for anyyoung future journalist who wants to break into the industry," headds.

Entries will be judged on the basis of originality,creativity, novelty, power of expression and message. All contestinformation including results, rules, selection criteria and jurycan be found in the 'Bridgestone Digital Reporter' section of theBridgestone web site at www.bridgestone-eu.com/reporter/

Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is theworld's largest manufacturer of tyres and other rubber products.Tyres account for 79 percent of Bridgestone Group salesworldwide. The company also manufactures industrial rubber andchemical products, sporting goods and other diversified products.It sells its tyres and other products in more than 150 nations.

Bridgestone Europe N.V./S.A. -- with European headquarters inBrussels, Belgium -- is a key division of the BridgestoneCorporation. It develops and manufactures top-quality tyres inEurope which, through its 16 subsidiary sales companies and otherchannels, are distributed all over Europe including the EasternEuropean markets. Products are also exported outside Europe,including to Japan.

ots Original Text Service: Bridgestone Europe Internet:http://www.presseportal.de BRIDGESTONE EUROPE NV/SA Belgicastraat 9 1930 Zaventem, BelgiumTel. : (32) 2 714 68 40 Fax : (32) 2 714 68 89

Contact: Bert Vanneste Company: Bridgestone Digital ReporterPhone: +32 2 714 67 55 Email: reporter@bridgestone-eu.com

Contact: Gert Meylemans Company: Bridgestone Europe Phone: +32 2 714 68 40 Fax: + 32 2 714 68 89

Contact: Des Collins Company: Bridgestone Europe Phone: + 322 714 68 40 Fax: + 32 2 714 68 89

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