Posted on Thursday 20 November 2008
IRVINE, Calif. and NEW YORK, Nov 20, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Kia Motors America (KMA), David&Goliath, Kia’s agency of record, and Usablenet, a mobile Web partner for leading brands, today announced the launch of Kia Soul Mobile, to increase mobile interaction around the new Kia Soul. The Kia Soul Mobile microsite, designed by David&Goliath and powered by Usablenet, will be unveiled at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, starting November 19 — providing attendees with a way to interact with the Kia Soul while at the event.
Kia Soul Mobile is a free service accessible via any Web-enabled mobile device at KiaSoul.com in the mobile Web browser. Kia Soul Mobile provides customers access to the latest Kia Soul information and images, as well as access to the main KMA mobile site, also powered by Usablenet. Kia Soul Mobile will highlight artwork inspired by the Soul’s unique design from 10 different artists, to be unveiled during the L.A. Auto Show. Customers will also be able to download the artwork, send it to friends and sign up for updates via the mobile microsite.
Through Kia Soul Mobile, customers can quickly interact with mobile content while at the L.A. Auto Show through QR (Quick Response) code technology. QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes or SMS keywords that direct users to a specific Web site or page related to a product. Mobile users can easily text keywords or scan barcodes, using a mobile camera and free QR reader software, to access different pages of the Kia Soul Mobile microsite. The QR codes can be found on printed Kia Soul postcards designed by David&Goliath’s partner Saputo Design featuring the selected artists’ unique artwork and the Kia Soul booth at the L.A. Auto Show.
“We’re proud to offer our customers another way to interact directly and immediately at the L.A. Auto Show. The Kia Soul Mobile site gives instant access, and allows our customers to take the auto show experience with them,” said David Schoonover, customer relationship marketing manager at KMA.
“In an effort to reach the tech-savvy Kia Soul audience and truly connect with them, mobile was the way to go,” said Colin Jeffery, executive creative director, David&Goliath. “This interactive, pre-launch campaign during the L.A. Auto Show is a great way for customers to obtain information on the Soul where they want and when they want.”
“With growing use of smart phones and mobile technology, Kia’s use of mobile at the L.A. Auto Show comes at the perfect time,” said Nick Taylor, president of Usablenet. “This means Kia customers have a direct way to connect with the Kia Soul as a product and brand, connecting its on-site presence with customers’ mobile phones.”
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. 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.
About David&Goliath
Founded in 1999, David&Goliath is an independent, national and international full-service creative agency that is dedicated to thinking creatively about any and all ways to build its clients’ business. Current clients include Kia Motors, Universal Orlando Resort, Bacardi, Universal Studios Hollywood and New York-New York Hotel & Casino, to name a few. David&Goliath’s mission is to be the antithesis of the traditional advertising agency — no strings, no conflicts, no limitations. Brave in the face of goliath marketing challenges, David&Goliath is about overcoming something big. For more information, visit www.dng.com .
About Usablenet
Usablenet’s unique mobile Web platform provides leading brands with a new channel to extend marketing, commerce and client service efforts to their customers. It offers companies a fully managed service called Usablenet Mobile that translates all existing Web site functionality to a full-featured mobile interface. The solution requires no IT or Web resources on the client side, works on all Web-enabled mobile devices worldwide and can be implemented in six weeks. Usablenet customers include American Airlines, Amtrak, Limited Brands, Marriott Hotels, Nissan and Pfizer. Founded in 2000, Usablenet is a private company headquartered in New York City with offices in Italy. For more information, visit www.usablenet.com.
SOURCE David & Goliath; Usablenet
http://www.dng.com
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