Founder & Chairman: David Angelo
Executive Creative Director: Mark Koelfgen
Sr. Broadcast Producer: Dustin Oliver
Tags automotive Collete Davis David&Goliath Kia Motors
“We are not famous,” a young boy states in the opening frame of Kia Motors’ 2019 Super Bowl commercial. “There are no stars in a sidewalk for us. No statues in our honor. We’re just a small Georgia town of complete unknowns.”
For Kia’s 10th consecutive appearance in the Big Game, the auto brand known for its challenger spirit took an unconventional approach. This year, Kia didn’t use a celebrity for its Super Bowl spot. This year, Kia began a movement to honor The Great Unknowns: The hard-working people of America. Starting with the proud workers of Kia’s West Point, Georgia plant who build the new 2020 Telluride SUV.
The Big Game Ad: “Give It Everything”
In the touching 90-second spot – created by David&Goliath and directed by acclaimed Serial Pictures’ director John Hillcoat – West Point is depicted in a series of shots showing its rural, small-town feel. “Because we are not known for who we are,” the boy continues, “we hope to be known for what we do. What we build.”
The viewer then sees the first glimpse of what it is they build: Kia’s new flagship model, the Telluride SUV. The voiceover continues, “No, we are not famous. But we are incredible. And we make incredible things.”
The spot, which aired during the third quarter, ends with the super: “Here’s to the Great Unknowns. Give It Everything.”
New Brand Positioning: Give It Everything
The campaign not only launches Kia’s new SUV, but it also introduces an evolution of the brand’s positioning and expression that brings its challenger brand truth to the forefront: “Give It Everything.” This new positioning highlights Kia’s unstoppable spirit to try harder, work smarter, build better and sweat every detail. “Give It Everything” will launch with the Telluride campaign and be part of all Kia campaigns moving forward.
“Rather than just launch a Super Bowl spot, we wanted to create a movement. One that recognizes the challenger spirit in all of us,” said David Angelo, founder & chairman of D&G. “‘Give It Everything’ is Kia’s authentic truth that comes from its history of being a challenger. The hard-working people of West Point fully embody this spirit. So we thought, what better way to honor these great unknowns than to give them the spotlight on America’s biggest television event of the year. Starting now, “Give It Everything” is Kia’s new company ethos and will fuel everything it does. From inside its four walls, to the dealership experience, to supporting education for America’s youth. Because when you give it everything, there are no limits to what you can achieve.”
In the spirit of Give It Everything, the campaign also unveils “Just a Small Georgia Town,” a new short form documentary that uncovers the story of West Point, GA. A small town that rose from the ashes of a collapsed textile industry, relying on only its courage to see it through to the other side, before finally finding new life when Kia opened its new plant there nearly 10 years ago.
The Great Unknowns Scholarship
But it doesn’t stop there. The money that is saved by not paying a celebrity will be used to create The Great Unknowns Scholarship, to assist eligible students who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs. The goal is to discover and reward young Americans who embody the spirit of “Give It Everything,” and help them pursue their academic dreams.
Angelo added: “The Great Unknowns Scholarship is just one piece of the overall movement that comes to life on multiple platforms. It’s not about one thing, but rather a drum roll for the brand ready to solidify its truth on the world stage.”
Other elements of the integrated campaign include print, digital, social and outdoor. Post-Super Bowl, a sustain phase will follow with :60 and :30 cut-downs of “Give It Everything” along with spots highlighting the product features of the Telluride, including a Presidents’ Day spot. The digital rollout includes static and HTML5 banners across Lifestyle and Shopping websites and four feature-focused videos that will run in pre-roll.
CREDITS
David Angelo Founder & Chairman
Yumi Prentice President
Bobby Pearce Chief Creative Officer
Mark Koelfgen Executive Creative Director/Copywriter
Marc Schwarzberg Executive Creative Director/Head of Art
Frauke Tiemann Group Creative Director/Art Director
John O'Hea Group Creative Director/Art Director
Steve Clarke Group Creative Director/Copywriter
Basil Cowieson Group Creative Director/Art Director
James Cohen Group Creative Director/Copywriter
Stephanie Kohnen Creative Director/Art Director
Mark Monteiro Copywriter
Paul Albanese Managing Director, Broadcast Production
Curt O'Brien Executive Producer
Natalia Celis Junior Producer
Cara Nieto Executive Art Producer
Natasha Royzina Senior Business Affairs Manager
Renee Welch Head of Strategy
Ashleigh Edwards Strategy Director
Jeff Cannata Communications Planning Director
Natalie Gomez Senior Social Media Strategist
Genie Lara Associate Director of Project Management
Paul Stephens Senior Project Manager
Amanda Bercovitch Junior Project Manager
Nina Pena Senior Creative Resource Manager
Jeff Moohr Managing Director
Jay Mattingly Account Director
Kylie Lemasters Account Supervisor
Nicole Pressman Account Executive
Salim Collins Account Coordinator
Russ Wortman Automotive Specialist/Kia Product Information Manager
Peter Bassett Managing Director, Integrated Production & Technology Services
Justine Kleeman Executive Digital Producer
Chris Mead Associate Creative Director/Copywriter
Kris Wong Senior Art Director
Guilherme Grossi Senior Copywriter
Gabriel Nogueira da Gama Senior Art Director
Peter Watson Junior Art Director
Caleb Nyberg Copywriter
Tucker Stosic Junior Art Director
Matthew Dickman Creative Director/Copywriter
Sarah Masket Management Supervisor, Digital
Gabriella Mourad Assistant Account Executive, Digital
Production Company: Serial Pictures
John Hillcoat Director
Philippe Le Sourd - DP
Violaine Etienne Founding Partner/Executive Producer
Jennifer Gee Head of Production
Tracy Broaddus Producer
Editorial Company: EXILE
Carol Lynn Weaver Executive Producer
Jennifer Locke Head of Production
Brittany Carson Producer
Kirk Baxter Editor
Conor O’Neill Editor
Brett Holman Asst Editor
Rex Lowry Asst Edtior
Editorial Company: Spinach
Adam Bright Managing Director, Editor
Federico Brusilovsky Editor (Courtesy of Lost Planet)
Jason Dopko Editor (Courtesy of Lost Planet)
Rachel Simmer Assistant Editor (Courtesy of Lost Planet)
Lee Bacak Jr. Assistant Editor
Jonathan Carpio Executive Producer
David Cooke Associate Producer
Post: A52
Urs Furrer Visual Effects Supervisor
Patrick Nugent Sr. Executive Producer
Stacy Kessler Producer
Licensed Music:
“Back to the Ocean” by Dan Romer
Sound Design Company: Barking Owl
Kelly Bayett Creative Director/Partner
Ashley Benton Producer
Eric Potter Car Recordist
Morgan Johnson Sound Designer