IRVINE, California — In one of the more high-profile cars-and-golf celebrity hookups since Tiger Woods represented Buick, Kia Motors Corporation has announced that golfer Michelle Wie, 20, will be the official golf ambassador and spokeswoman for the Korean brand.
It appears to be a natural partnership, since Wie's parents are both natives of South Korea. The 2010 LPGA season starts next week in Thailand, where Kia says, "Wie will don her Kia golf bag for the first time in competition."
"It is imperative to continue raising Kia brand awareness with high-profile strategic partnerships that fit with our core values," said Michael Sprague, Kia Motors America vice president of marketing in a statement. "Michelle and the youthful, exciting LPGA talent reflect our brand's and our vehicles' characteristics."
The terms of Wie's deal with Kia were not disclosed. The Stanford-educated golfer, who lives in Hawaii, won her first LPGA title three months ago and was ranked 5th on Forbes magazine's 2008 list of highest-paid female athletes, with $12 million in sponsor agreements. In 2006, she was named in a Time magazine story as "one of the 100 people who shape our world." The outspoken Wie aspires to play in the men-only Ryder Cup and said she would someday like to beat Tiger Woods.
Kia will also be the title sponsor for the inaugural $1.7-million Kia Classic to be held March 22-28 at the La Costa Resort in San Diego.
Wie's new deal with Kia is one of the more noteworthy marketing liaisons between a golfer and an automaker. Buick terminated a 9-year relationship with golfing icon Tiger Woods in 2008, a year before the deal was supposed to have ended.
Inside Line says: A natural fit for the Korean brand and the wholesome Wie. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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mlh says:
01:03 PM, 02/16/2010
@ pharmboy3
I don't think you know much about Wie. She won her first tournament last year and was also a major force in the last Solheim Cup (where she was a wild card pick) with a 3-0-1 record. Not bad for a 20-year-old full-time college student. And should does in fact drive a Kia -- a Kia Soul, which she no doubt was given as a part of her deal.
pharmboy3 says:
11:42 AM, 02/14/2010
This is funny. Wie is a typical young spoiled Korean girl (other than the fact she is >6' tall) who would never be caught in a Kia. Great spokesperson...hope the Kia doesn't overheat/break down like Wie does in the middle of a Tourney.
Not the best image for Kia. Then again everyone thought Tiger Woods was a great role model too.
c0nfuzi says:
09:47 AM, 02/13/2010
she can text me anytime
isend2c says:
07:26 PM, 02/12/2010
@ textex
this is not about Amway. At all. Why did you bring them up? and I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to advertise your own blog on here.
I've never heard of Wie, but she seems to have a good reputation... Go Kia! Go Wie! (now)