With a quarter-century of experience in the tire and automotive industries and more than 30 years as a journalist, Jim's communications experience includes stints as a newspaper reporter and editor, a public relations manager and a variety of creative and management roles with an advertising agency. The Kent State University journalism major served as editor and associate editor for a number of community newspapers in Northeast Ohio before joining Modern Tire Dealer in 1984, where he served as senior editor. After four years in brand and corporate public relations roles with Bridgestone/Firestone, Jim joined Nashville's Stumpf Bartels Advertising in 1992. He became Tire Review's ninth editor in October 1999.
Leo Speaks on Cooper Lock Out
Tuesday, January, 24, 2012
The Huffington Post on Jan. 23 published a blog entry by USW International president Leo Gerard regarding the situation at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.'s plant in Findlay, Ohio, where union workers have been locked out of their jobs since Nov. 28...
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Reaction to 'Misleading' Click & Clack Column
Tuesday, January, 10, 2012
By day, Tyson Boyer is a mild-mannered tire and fleet services manager for Midas. In his spare time, Mr. Boyer has taken up the cause for tire retailers everywhere.
Last week we spotlighted a ...
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It's the First Verbatim Issue of 2012!
Thursday, January, 05, 2012
Sometimes it is best to simply present an article or a press release in its entirety. Exactly as sent and/or received. No edits of any kind. Sometimes we do this because we can't tell the story any better. Sometimes the craftsmanship of the written e...
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Is It 'News' or a Prediction? And What About Cheap Tires?
Tuesday, December, 20, 2011
It's easy to toss aside "news" stories published by the state-run and edited China Daily, but often many of these "stories" are actually a clue on which way the breeze in Beijing is blowing.
On Dec. 19, the China Daily ...
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Ya Can't Fine What You Can't See, See?
Friday, December, 16, 2011
In another life at another place, I had an "administrative assistant" - an otherwise competent and lovely individual - who apparently didn't understand just how a tire worked. In our area of the office we had a storage closet for office suppl...
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28,000 Tires and Two Tons of Pasta Later
Thursday, December, 01, 2011
Wanna be THE tire supplier for Formula One? Think ya got what it takes to make and provide service to the world's premier motorsport series (so sorry NASCAR)?
Based on these stats Pirelli provided from its first year back on the circui...
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The Ghost of Checkoffs Past
Monday, November, 21, 2011
There are two "media" representatives that could make Santa come off as the devil himself (in fact, I believe they already have), and one of them recently took after the Christmas tree industry.
The American actual-real-live Ch...
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Tires & The Fine Art of Airborne Produce
Tuesday, November, 15, 2011
On Nov. 24, when the Science Channel fills the cable TV sphere with hours of coverage from the 2011 Punkin Chunkin World Championships, I am going to make some popcorn, pour up a cool soda and prop my behind in front of the big screen to marvel at wh...
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Keegan Speaks! Finally!
Monday, October, 31, 2011
Throughout his Goodyear career - October 2000 to his retirement in April
2010 - Bob Keegan did few (if any) sit-down interviews. With any media.
Ever. In fact, I believe I am still on the waiting list.
Usually when media ask to do an...
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The State of New Car Dealers
Thursday, October, 27, 2011
Ever wonder what's really going on behind those phony smiles and promises that "We'll get this deal to work for you!"?
So did I, as it was nice to have a friend pass along a copy of the 2010 National Automobile Dealers Associat...
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Firestone, Smithers Vet Moving On; Abe Reappears
Tuesday, October, 25, 2011
Long-time tire industry PR pro Mike Fay is hanging up his typewriter ribbon at the close of this month. Known Mike for a long time, and he is one of the finest men I have met in this industry. Got to know him back in the day when he was a PR manager ...
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What I Did on My Field Trip to Jersey
Friday, October, 14, 2011
When I was a kid, there was nothing more exciting than school field trips. Getting out of that musty old school building was liberating. It almost felt illegal, like a jailbreak. And when you go to a Catholic grade school, those field trips – re...
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Anniversary Gives Glimpse of Tire's Past
Wednesday, October, 12, 2011
Blair's Car Care is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Located in Jackson, Mich., the business had has a long and much varied history - quite varied. But this makes it a great example of the evolution of tire retail businesses over time....
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China Leveraging Outside Regulations to Build Stronger Industry
Monday, October, 10, 2011
If you want to build an international market for your products, you need products that meet or exceed prevailing standards in all of the markets you wish to serve.
Pretty basic rule, and one the Chinese government – and, by extens...
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How to Land Very Big Fish in a Very Small Pond
Friday, October, 07, 2011
So just how long does it take to reel two humongous fish, and make it look like just another day on the pond?
Ask South Carolina secretary of commerce Bobby Hitt and economic development teams in both Aiken and Sumter Counties. They've...
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Sir Jimmy and the 10-Week War
Wednesday, October, 05, 2011
It's an anniversary no one on East Market Street in Akron - let alone anyone in Akron - wants to celebrate.
Nov. 20 marks 25 years since the face and make-up of Goodyear was
changed for all time after it had fended off a hosti...
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Most Deserving but Apparently Most Unwilling
Friday, September, 30, 2011
I have it on pretty good authority that Bruce Halle, the multi-billionaire founder of Discount Tire Co., isn't interested in being inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame.
...
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Tire Company Intrigue Leads to Intriguing Contest
Friday, September, 23, 2011
If you don't think there is a level of "intrigue" in this boring old tire industry, well you just haven't been paying attention.
Down in the southeast, the rumor mills are rife with cloak-n-dagger code names like "Project S...
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Buying Used Tires Online vs. Recycling Them
Thursday, September, 22, 2011
Nice to be back in the saddle. Took a brief break. Had to put some hay in the barn, as they say, but we're back to regular service for the foreseeable future.
Now, where were we? Oh yeah...
Do you crack a slight smile wh...
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Entries are now being accepted for the
2012 Top Shop Award Program.
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