Kia strike deal with UEFA to net Euro 2008

Kia Motors Corporation is, in conjunction with Hyundai Motor Corporation, continuing its support of all things football by becoming the official global sponsor of the upcoming UEFA European Football Championship, or ‘UEFA EURO 2008’ – the largest football event in Europe.

Kia has extended its support of the most popular sport in the world with this deal – adding to partnerships it has already formed with FIFA and the Chinese national football team.

The EURO 2008 agreement – announced in a ceremony at Kia’s €1 billion Zilina plant in Slovakia this week – will see Hyundai-Kia become the official supplier of vehicles for the Championship.

This package of agreements will entitle Kia to promote its brand on perimeter boards around the stadiums and through official UEFA TV broadcast partners in more than 200 countries worldwide, during the event, and use the event’s official logo in company media materials.

The Euro 2008 deal is part of a wider partnership package agreed by the two organisations – known as the EUROTOP partnership. An agreement that, in addition to EURO 2008, allows Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group to participate as an official sponsor of a number of UEFA’s national-team competitions, including the European U-21 Championships in 2007 and 2009, and the Women’s European Football Championship in 2009.

The UEFA EUROTOP partnership will enable Kia to continue to actively build its global brand and association with football in a move that is expected to boost Kia’s brand image and awareness across the European market.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kia Motors Corporation President & CEO, Euisun Chung said: “We are honoured to be in a fortunate position to sponsor the UEFA EURO 2008 tournament as part of our EUROTOP partnership agreement with UEFA. This sponsorship will give a big boost to our brand awareness, not only here in Europe but also among the huge audience of football fans throughout the world,” said Mr. Chung.

Philippe Margraff Chief Operating Officer of UEFA Marketing and Media Management, backed-up these remarks, commenting: “UEFA EURO 2008 promises to be a spectacular sporting event enjoyed by millions all over the world. Kia Motors is building an exciting relationship with one of the world’s premier sporting events.”

The partnership broadens Kia’s long-term partnership with football, which started with the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and now includes official partnerships with FIFA until 2014 and the Chinese national men’s and women’s football teams.