Kia Canada announces brand sponsorship with Radio-Canada's hit police drama, "19-2", at Montreal International Auto Show

• Kia becomes the exclusive automotive sponsor for the hit French Canadian television program
• Main characters become associated with distinctive Kia vehicles

MONTREAL, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Kia Canada Inc. announced their partnership with the second season of "19-2", a 12-time Gemini respected Radio-Canada French network's police drama series, at the Montreal International Auto Show taking place at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Kia supports the show by providing key vehicles, such as the award-winning Optima and Optima Hybrid mid-size sedans, Sorento Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), Sportage Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV), Rio sub-compact and Soul Urban Utility Vehicle.

"Kia Canada is pleased to be associated with the renowned and popular police drama, '19-2', in French Canada," said Robert Staffieri, Director of Marketing, Kia Canada Inc. "Our award-winning product portfolio serves to compliment the high-level of quality entertainment that the show provides and conveys Kia's design-oriented vehicle line up."

"For over twenty years, brand sponsorship has contributed greatly to the production of our most ambitious and popular drama series. However, this kind of subtle advertising must be coherent with the nature of the series in the respect of viewers and artists alike. This is precisely what is accomplished in this partnership, as Kia vehicles are perfectly suited to our fast paced police drama series," said Jean Mongeau, General Manager, Revenue Group, Radio-Canada.

Kia decided to announce this partnership as a special feature to their press conference at the Montreal International Auto Show. Some of the members of  the "19-2" cast swooped into the Kia display and provided an extraordinary sense of urgency to the well-suited sponsorship.

Kia Canada's entire product portfolio can be seen in person on display at Kia Canada's Montreal International Auto Show pavilion from January 18 - 27, 2013, at the Palais des congrès de Montreal, level 7.

About Kia Canada Inc.:

Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca - www.facebook.com/kiacanada) a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 180 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 161 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, with an all-new state-of-the-art facility to open in Montreal shortly. Kia's brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

About CBC/Radio-Canada:

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

SOURCE: KIA Canada Inc.

Cathy Laroche 
Public Relations Manager 
Kia Canada Inc. 
T: 514.554.6415
C: 514.554.0843
E: [email protected]

Daniel Ponzini 
Public Relations and Events Coordinator 
Kia Canada Inc. 
T: 905.755.6414
C: 647.462.8986
E: [email protected]

Marc Pichette
Director, Communications and Branding 
Radio-Canada
T: 514.597.4140
E: [email protected]