Kia Kicks Off Ninth Australian Open

This weekend, Kia Motors tossed the keys to the 105th Australian Open for a fleet of 101 Kia courtesy vehicles. As a major sponsor and automobile supplier to the Open, Kia will transport players, officials and VIPs to and from Melbourne Park for the ninth consecutive year.

Meanwhile, at Kia showrooms leading up the tournament, fans could also enter a Kia Lucky Drive to Australia campaign for a trip to the tournament. Kia distributors in 16 countries around the world selected 53 customers to attend the second week of the Australian Open. On-site, Kia Fan of the Day and Fan of the Australian Open competitions will again be held.

Todd Woodbridge, one of the world's most successful doubles players and a native of Australia, will be Kia's brand ambassador throughout the Open, as featured in a TV advertising campaign and series of blogs at www.kia.com.au/tennis.

For fans that can't make it to the grounds, Kia will provide the opportunity to view the tournament on outdoor giant screens throughout Sydney and Melbourne.

Kia got together 16 drivers to put on some tennis moves to celebrate the start of the 2010 tennis season:

“The Kia courtesy fleet is an intrinsic part of the Australian Open," Tennis Australia CEO Steve Wood said. "The sight of the Kia fleet ferrying players, media and officials around Melbourne contributes to the tangible excitement and buzz that the AO brings to the city of Melbourne.”

The Australian Open, which it is currently under contract to sponsor through 2013, is Kia's longest running major global sports sponsorship

Kia also currently enlists Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, whose deal the automaker renewed for another three years last year -- even after the 2008 controversy surrounding what has to be one of the worst advertisements ever launched:

Thankfully, Kia followed it up with this announcement at the company blog:

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photo credit:kia.com.au/tennis