Kia Motors America and YO GABBA GABBA! Team Up to Entertain Families

IRVINE, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) caused quite a stir with its first-ever Super Bowl ad, which featured a colorful cast of life-size children's characters in the 2011 Kia Sorento CUV, including Muno from YO GABBA GABBA!, the award-winning children's television series and live tour. Building on the momentum and increased brand awareness generated by the 60-second spot, KMA plans to extend its relationship with YO GABBA GABBA!, as the presenting sponsor of the upcoming YO GABBA GABBA! THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY! tour.

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(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100721/MM38195 )

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100721/MM38195 )

Fresh off a triumphant sold-out tour debut in 2009, a headlining performance at The White House, a critically-acclaimed, chart-topping album, and an appearance at Coachella that garnered rave reviews from spectators and media alike, DJ Lance Rock and the cast of YO GABBA GABBA! are heading back on the road to play to enthusiastic fans on a 60-city tour across North America as Kia Motors Presents YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!:  THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY.  One of today's hottest live shows for families will make stops at top theaters, arenas and amphitheaters throughout North America, scheduled to start August 27 in Bethel, NY and ending in Dallas, TX on December 12, 2010.  YO GABBA GABBA! is a creation of Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz.  The tour is produced by S2BN Entertainment, in association with The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN Entertainment.

In addition to entertaining both the young and the young-at-heart, the Gabba gang also will participate in various community service projects aimed at building homes and hope in the cities they visit during their four month journey across North America.  One dollar from every ticket sold during the Kia Motors Presents YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY tour will be donated toward the homebuilding efforts of the Habitat for Humanity local affiliate in each tour city.  

"Our 2011 Sorento 'Joyride Dream' Super Bowl spot exceeded our expectations, and with Muno as one of the stars in that adventure it was a natural fit for us to continue our association with YO GABBA GABBA!  by joining their extremely popular live tour," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "This live show not only entertains and excites young families across the country, but the Habitat for Humanity aspect also presented Kia an invaluable opportunity to be a part of helping the community and those in need."

The modern production features music, singing, dancing and animation as an interactive experience offering audience members of all ages the opportunity to witness their favorite characters come to life.  Hip-hop legend Biz Markie is scheduled to join the characters on stage during the tour to teach kids how to beat box with "Biz's Beat of the Day." Special guests also will have the opportunity to join the party on stage for the Super Music Friends Show and Dancey Dance segments.  

"As a leading provider of entertainment on screen and stage, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment is delighted to welcome Kia Motors as a presenting sponsor for YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!:  THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY," said Michael Polis, CEO, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and executive producer, YO GABBA GABBA!.  "As a presenting sponsor, Kia Motors is uniquely positioned to dazzle audiences across North America throughout the 60-city tour," he continued.  

Kia Motors America in 2010

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share.  With four new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology such as UVO powered by Microsoft®(1) infotainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. beginning later this year).  The launch of the 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be assembled(2) at Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.

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 700 dealers throughout the United States.  For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever.  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 YO GABBA GABBA!

YO GABBA GABBA! currently ranks as one of the most popular series on television and stage, with a broad appeal among preschoolers, parents, teens and adults.  W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, The Magic Store and S2BN Entertainment brought the groundbreaking series to the stage with the launch of YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY  in November, 2009 to sold-out shows in major cities.  Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz are the co-creators of YO GABBA GABBA!  YO GABBA GABBA!, the television series, is now in its third season in the U.S. and is produced by W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and The Magic Store.  YO GABBA GABBA! airs 7 days a week on Nick Jr. and in several major international territories, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Latin America, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K.  YO GABBA GABBA! infuses retro-style and beat-driven music to teach simple life lessons through music.  The series and the live show star DJ Lance Rock and a cast of colorful characters, including Brobee, the little green one, Foofa, the pink flower bubble, Muno, the red Cyclops, Toodee, the blue cat-dragon and Plex, the yellow robot. Today's most popular names in movies, television, music and sports flock to YO GABBA GABBA!. Fred Armisen, Erykah Badu, Jack Black, Anthony Bourdain, Devo, Rachel Dratch, Rob Dyrdek, Flaming Lips, Melora Hardin, Tony Hawk, The Killers, Angela Kinsey, Solange Knowles, Biz Markie, Jack McBrayer, MGMT, Mos Def, Mark Mothersbaugh, The Roots, Andy Samberg, Amy Sedaris, The Shins, Sarah Silverman, Amare Stoudemire, The Ting Tings, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Elijah Wood and Weird Al Yankovic, among others, guest star.  Celebrity guests who performed during the live tour kick-off shows include Devenda Banhart, Cold War Kids, Matt Costa, DMC (Run DMC), Snoop Dogg, Jon Heder, Talib Kweli, Mix Master Mike, Kid Sister, Keri Russell and more, while Christina Aguilera, Jason Bateman, Travis Barker, Brendan Fraser, Heidi Klum, Chris Noth, Brooke Shields and Dennis Quaid attended the live shows with their families.  Visit www.yogabbagabba.com and www.yogabbagabbalive.com.

    
    
    (1) Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the
        United States and/or other countries.
    (2) Kia vehicles assembled at the Kia U.S. plant are assembled in the U.S. 
        with U.S. and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE Kia Motors America