By Ki Myo Kim
Overseas Promotion Team
Kia Motors Corporation

 2009 is finally here, and the Australian Open, one of four grand slam tennis tournaments, will be held from January 19 (Monday) to February 1 (Sunday), 2009.

 The Australian Open, the first grand slam event of the year, will take place for two weeks in the city of Melbourne. During this time of year, many people are busy going to year-end parties and New Year gatherings. But as the person in charge of the Australian Open, I have long forgotten about Christmas or New Year’s.  As usual, I am sitting at my desk in the office until late into the night making the necessary preparations.

<Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park>

The Australian Open was the first global event that Kia Motors headquarters sponsored. Kia became a sponsor of the Australian Open in 2002 and last year extended the sponsorship until 2013. As more and more people become aware of Kia Motors’ sponsorship of the tournament, we are receiving greater attention and that means more things to take care of.

As it is the case with all other events sponsored by Kia, the sports marketing staff of the Overseas Promotion Team, and numerous others, work tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare for the two week tennis championships.

Kia Motors makes countless preparations for the tournament. For one, there are print ads published in the official tournament booklet which are created by an ad agency that works with our Overseas Communication Team, the team sitting next to my team. There is also the production of a 30-second ad to be shown on the giant screen at Melbourne Park, as well as various Kia banners and ads to be displayed inside and outside the tennis courts. In addition, Kia supplies the official vehicles before and after the tournament and designs, creates decals for them. We also have to pay close attention to promotional materials that go inside the media kits along with our press releases.

<My teammates and myself packing media kits for the event>

Until four years ago, I used to change the channel when the sports news would come on TV. But now, as the person in charge of tennis on the sports marketing team, I am delighted if I happen to see an event sponsored by Kia featured in the news or see a Kia logo during a sports event. The fact that I take such delight even surprises me!

During the Australian Open, I can see Kia logos all over the place in Melbourne Park. And when I do see them, I become aware of the people around me and truly feel proud of Kia. I almost want to wear a sign on my body saying “I work at Kia Motors.”

For nearly six months, I haven’t been able to meet friends during the week and just caught up on sleep on weekends because of the Australian Open. Still, I feel my heart swell when I think that after all the arrangements I made as the person in charge of Kia related activities for the championship, the tournament will soon get underway.

By Manuel Agurcia

Regional Manager, Corporación Jaar, Honduras

While attending the Sales Academy Triple event in Korea, we were asked to say something interesting about ourselves so I’d like to share my story with you. 

Some 20 years ago, when I was 18 years old, fresh out of high school, I used to work as a Supermarket Clerk. Among my duties, it was my responsibility to manage the accounts of several customers. Among these clients was and incredibly nice lady who always made conversation with me and treated me very well. She used to come into the supermarket very often with her small children and always looked so optimistic and open. We used to talk and talk, and I always wondered why this elegant lady was so nice and courteous with me.

As I moved on and got a job as a Sales Consultant for a local car distributor, which allowed me to move my way up until becoming Sales Manager about 6 years later. This company eventually became the Kia distributor in Honduras, so I was involved with the brand very early on, selling Ceres, K2400, K3500*, Capital** and other models in the early- to mid-90s.  I actually drove the very first Kia import to Honduras – a light blue Kia Ceres 4×4 – off the boat!

While finishing my formal education, I worked with various distributors, holding various management positions in sales, service and spare parts gaining experience over a 20-year journey.  This experience has given me more than I could ever dreamed of in terms of knowledge and collecting amazing friends across the world while receiving factory training.

Then, about four years ago, I became the Regional Manager for our company, Corporación Jaar, the Kia distributor in Honduras since 1998.  The company is led by a remarkable woman, Mrs. Delmy Jaar, who just happens to be that nice lady I met 20 years ago while working my part time job at the Supermarket.

So, as you can see, some things are just meant to be!

In my case, being involved with Kia at the very beginning of my professional life and now leading our regional offices under the guidance and the advice of our Company President, Mrs. Jaar.  The same guidance and advice I received from her more than 20 years ago, I can apply to our everyday business.

And, for that I am eternally grateful.