Kia Motors America, Microsoft Team Up for Dynamic Video Game Marketing Effort

Gaming Enthusiasts Can Win an All-New Kia Soul and VIP Trip to See the Best of E3 as Part of Initiative

- Kia Motors America is first to sponsor E3 coverage on Xbox LIVE

IRVINE, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced a comprehensive video game marketing program with Microsoft Corp.'s interactive entertainment platform, Xbox 360(R) and Xbox LIVE(R). Beginning April 18, KMA will launch a national sweepstakes that spans across Xbox.com, Xbox LIVE and several popular Xbox 360 titles offering gamers the chance to drive away in an all-new Kia Soul and receive a VIP, all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the best of the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), June 2-4, 2009, the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products.

Through the end of April 2009, gamers can enter for a chance to win the grand prize through Xbox.com/Kia or select "Kia Download & Win Gamer Picture" on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. For the first-time, gamers also can enter to win by texting "75920" on their mobile phone to their Gamertag. Additional prizes include a fully-loaded home entertainment system with a 47" HDTV, Xbox 360 Elite console, a one year subscription of Xbox LIVE Gold, 120GB Zune and a one year Zune Pass.

Following KMA's national sweepstakes, the automotive company will launch additional components to its video game initiative in June, including the first-ever sponsorship of E3 coverage on Xbox LIVE. And as the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, KMA also will sponsor Xbox's NBA Live 09 to coincide with the 2009 NBA Finals in June. Kia's multi-faceted video game marketing program will result in significant cross-platform research driven by Microsoft Advertising.

"By teaming with Microsoft's Xbox 360 platform we have the unique opportunity to connect with gaming enthusiasts at a level never-before-seen in the gaming world," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing of KMA. "We are thrilled to team up with Microsoft to give a lucky gamer a Soul urban passenger vehicle, which just arrived in dealerships a few weeks ago and has already received several notable accolades, including an award for the 'Grooviest Interior'."

The agreement was developed on behalf of KMA by Innocean Worldwide Americas, Kia's media strategy partner, who were responsible for stewarding Initiative+, their media agency of record, through the negotiation and activation of the Microsoft initiative.

The all-new 2010 Soul stands out from the crowd with modern, unique styling aimed toward the young and young-at-heart. Designed by Kia Motors' Southern California-based design team, Soul offers a unique combination of style, value and personalization options, including an available Audio Upgrade Package that includes speaker lights that can pulse to the beat of the music or add mood lighting to the interior cabin. Available in four distinctive trim levels, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, Soul pricing begins at less than $14,000 and is on sale at Kia retailers nationwide.

Kia Motors Product Line

Kia Motors America offers a dynamic and diverse product line of 12 vehicles to meet the needs of all lifestyles. The vehicle line features the functional Rondo CUV and award-winning Sedona minivan along with a wide variety of popular passenger cars, including the refined Amanti full-size sedan, purposeful Optima midsize sedan, versatile and compact Spectra and Spectra5, and sporty yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The vehicle line also features the affordably luxurious Borrego, rugged Sorento and value-packed Sportage SUVs. The 2010 Soul further complements the lineup as it arrives in dealerships, as will the 2010 Forte sedan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 625 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

Source: Kia Motors America

CONTACT: Alex Fedorak of Kia Motors America, +1-949-468-4813,
afedorak@kiausa.com; or Shelby Hunt of Zeno Group, +1-310-566-3985,
Shelby.hunt@zenogroup.com, for Kia Motors America

Web Site: http://www.kia.com/
http://www.kiamedia.com/

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Profile: automotive-news