MUMBAI: After undertaking a major review of its worldwide media planning and buying activities, Kia together with Hyundai, has appointed Havas Media-owned to operate a consolidated media planning and buying programme from the beginning of 2010. 
 
The new agency will be responsible for media planning and buying in five regions. These are Western & Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia, including India. Havas Media replaces several agencies that previously serviced both Kia and Hyundai‘s media needs.

Says Kia Motors Corp director overseas marketing group Soon-Nam Lee, "Kia‘s global marketing initiatives will benefit tremendously by this consolidation. By combining our efforts, we can further develop and grow our Kia brand around the world through synergies created from Havas Media‘s understanding of our particular business needs."
 
The programme is designed to maximise efficiency and effectiveness, while optimizing pan-regional opportunities, co-ordination of central and local advertising campaigns and supporting a clear brand separation.
 
"The key to our growth will rely on Kia‘s ability to adjust to the changing media environment. Havas Media has demonstrated an excellent understanding of our strategic vision and we feel their media creativity and digital expertise will help us develop and drive our future endeavours," Lee added.