While Kia announced it would not be running a new spot on the Super Bowl, the auto carmaker will be blitzing Sunday on behalf of America’s high school football teams.
As America readies for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kia Motors America will focus on giving back directly to young people nationwide through a new charitable initiative – an extension of the Accelerate the Good Program – in support of high school football programs across the country.
The first high school recipient is Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J. With 68 players on the team roster, in the fall of 2020, the Woodrow Wilson Tigers suspended their season due to budget cuts and social distancing mandates. Watch the first spot from David&Goliath below:
“Football is America’s game, and this Sunday will provide the welcome break we all need from the pandemic. As we thought about it more, we realized Kia could use this as an opportunity to help high school players keep working toward their dreams of someday being on football’s biggest stage,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia Motors America.
He adds, “Kia is continuing to help young people in need get back some of their pre-pandemic lives. We admire the resolve and determination of the Woodrow Wilson Tigers and look forward to celebrating more extraordinary young people across the country who simply want to play the game they love.”
Additional high school football programs will be added to the campaign and announced over the coming weeks.
Supporting high school football teams is the latest extension of Kia Motors’ “Accelerate The Good” charitable initiative, which began in 2019 when the Great Unknowns Scholarship was established to help young people in need get a foothold in higher education.
At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Kia continued these efforts by making two separate $1 million donations to organizations that support America’s homeless youth population.
In addition to the monetary donations, Kia Team Member volunteers assembled personal protective equipment (PPE) at Kia’s manufacturing plant in Georgia, ultimately delivering more than 550,000 face shields to hospitals and medical centers across the country.
“We’re honored and humbled to accept such a wonderful donation from Kia Motors,” said, Camden City School Superintendent, Katrina McCombs. “Our children and student-athletes deserve every opportunity to compete in the classroom and on the athletic fields. We know first-hand that this generous donation will help restore and elevate our football program for some very deserving student-athletes.”
Additional campaign elements include a stirring :30-second video, “The Game Must Go On,” which illustrates the impact cancelled sports programs can have on young people.
ALSO READ: Complete list of all our Super Bowl coverage. Enjoy!
A :30-second broadcast spot, entitled “The Bear & The Eagle,” featuring the all-new 2021 Kia Sorento SUV will debut on network and cable outlets. The spot takes the viewer on a surreal journey into a wide variety of wilderness adventures while highlighting various features of Kia’s rugged and capable new SUV.
Nominate Someone You know For The Reel Black List OR Reel Women
The entire campaign is indicative of the continual social support and justice agency David&Goliath creates and supports through their work for various clients.
For a complete list of our Super Bowl coverage click here. Super Bowl LV airs February 7 on CBS at 6:30 PM EST, 5:30 PM CST and 3:30 PST.
CREDITS:
- David Angelo Founder & Creative Chairman
- Yumi Prentice President
- Mark Koelfgen Executive Creative Director/Copywriter
- Frauke Tiemann Executive Creative Director/Art Director
- John O’Hea Group Creative Director/Art Director
- Steve Clarke Group Creative Director/Copywriter
- Chris Mead Associate Creative Director/Copywriter
- Kris Wong Associate Creative Director/Art Director
- Peter Bassett Managing Director, Integrated Production & Technology
- Justine Kleeman Executive Digital Producer
- Genie Lara Associate Director, Project Management
- Mike Antonellis Senior Project Manager
- Lisa Tanner Managing Director
- Sarah Masket Account Director
- Aurelia Fulginiti Freelance Account Supervisor
- Quinn Rufener Account Executive
- Britney Bencomo Assistant Account Executive
- Laura Forman Chief Strategy Officer
- Bruno Cunha Group Strategy Director
- Natalie Gomez Associate Communications Director
- Jasmine Spraglin Sr. Creatist
- Beka Tesfaye Strategist
- Hailey Kim Comms Planner
- Camara Price Freelance Senior Business Affairs Manager
- Yenia Paez Senior Business Affairs Manager
- Mark McNaul Product Information Manager
EDIT: Spinach
- Juan Pablo DiGenio: Editor
- Robby Salisbury: Assistant Editor
- Patricia Gushikuma: Post Producer
- Jonathan Carpio: Executive Producer
COLOR: Company 3
- Siggy Ferstl: Senior Colorist
- Matt Moran: Senior Producer
- Ashley McKim: Executive Producer
FINISHING: Method
- Lead Flame Artist: Thomas Downs
- Producer: Laura Duncan
- Executive Producer: Connor Callaghan
AUDIO: Margarita Mix
- Re-Recording Mixer – Nathan Dubin
- Executive Producers – Whitney Morris & Paula Arnett
- Operations Manager – Brian Frank
Stock Footage: Getty Images
Music Companies: APM
