2010 Kia Soul Wears Antenna Denim to SEMA
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Kia and Antenna Magazine Collaborate with etnies, Huf, Original Penguin, Smart
Design, DJ Whoo Kid, Todd Schmidt and In4mation for Artfully Inspired Soul
Xpression Program
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Bringing the worlds of music, fashion and
technology together to develop the ultimate ride, Kia Motors America (KMA) and
Antenna magazine proudly showcase the custom Antenna Soul as part of the Soul
Xpression program at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA)
show in Las Vegas. Following the wildly successful launch of the all-new 2010
Kia Soul, KMA and Antenna magazine collaborated to develop Soul Xpression, a
360-degree integrated program and exhibition of the creative spirit showcasing
style leaders and passionate trailblazers from the worlds of music, fashion,
skate, style and technology. Partners in the project include etnies, Huf,
Original Penguin, Smart Design, DJ Whoo Kid, Todd Schmidt and surf brand
In4mation, all of whom expressed and designed their own unique visions for the
Kia Soul. At the culmination of the design process, one highly stylized Kia
Soul was built that fused influences from the seven partners as well as other
en vogue name brands represented on the pages of Antenna magazine.
The Antenna Soul made its debut on the catwalk during New York's Fashion Week
in September followed by a launch party at the Ainsworth in New York hosted by
Kid Cudi; and kicking off with SEMA it begins making the rounds on the auto
show circuit. The Antenna Soul includes a pop-up "shop" of the latest trends
in clothing and accessories from Original Penguin, Huff and etnies. Custom
seats feature Cone Denim, bespoke stitching and Rufus shirt material, and a
G-shock clock is mounted on the dash. Perforated leather and denim adorn the
interior along with a RICTA skateboard wheel gear shift knob, leather-wrapped
mounting holsters for personal electronics, a custom display case in the glove
box for fashionable watches and stylish sunglasses, a refrigerator in the back
seat and a skate board in the roof liner. Arrive in style - or even
fashionably late - for any occasion in the Antenna Soul with clothing packed
neatly in a motorized organizer in the trunk featuring exclusive apparel and
accessories.
Media elements of the campaign include a 19-page in-book advertorial in
Antenna magazine, mini-magazine, grassroots marketing tour, online microsite
(antennamag.com/kia), contest and social networking applications. The online
contest invites readers and general consumers to create their own customized
Kia Soul via words, photo or art to win $1,000 and limited-edition goods from
Antenna design partners. A downloadable template of a Soul and the contest
can be found at: http://www.antennamag.com/kia/contest/.
"The Soul Xpression program takes design elements of the Soul to the next
level by adding specific visions from inspirational style leaders," said
Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "As a head-turning example
of modern design, the Soul was the perfect canvas for influential designers
and thought leaders to come together and express everything that would make it
further befitting of its name."
About the Antenna Soul
The Antenna Soul represents a fusion of influences from design partner cars
merged with brands from the magazine. Additional influences and items from
design partners include:
-- PSP Slim video game system in car inspired by DJ Whoo Kid
-- Denim color scheme inspired by In4mation x Vans sneaker collaboration
-- In-vehicle technology inspired by Smart Design
-- Baby blue dash and brown interior inspired by Original Penguin color
scheme
-- Skateboard elements inspired by etnies and Huf
-- Clothing in trunk pop up store from etnies, Huf, Original Penguin, and
In4mation
From top to bottom, the Antenna Soul is customized to the core with the
following:
Exterior
-- Custom baby blue exterior by Lux Motorwerks
-- MRR 20-inch wheels paired with Nitto Tires and a lowered suspension
-- Matte brown painted roof, grill trim, side vents and custom exhaust
-- Rooftop snowboard rack with custom board by Revolution, designed by
Antenna
-- Smoked headlights, taillights and side markers
-- Baby blue color matched brake calipers
Interior
Dashboard
-- Painted baby blue dashboard with steering wheel wrapped in perforated
brown leather
-- Sunglasses and watch display in converted glove box with LED lights,
Plexiglass cover and denim trim
Center Console
-- Clock using a G-Shock with surrounding illumination in converted
center
console speaker port
-- Fiberglass center console with custom molds for an iPod touch, Flip
Video, BlackBerry Pearl, and HP Netbook
-- Chocolate leather-wrapped center console from Mood Fabrics
Seats
-- Cone Denim, Rufus shirt material, and chocolate leather by Mood
Fabrics
wrap the front seats
-- Sony PSP Slims affixed via a custom LED-illuminated mounting system
fitted to driver and front passenger seatbacks
-- Front and rear seat matching upholstery
Headliner
-- Denim-lined interior with skateboard trucks for handles
-- Custom skate deck in the headliner by Revolution, designed by Antenna
Door Panels
-- Chocolate leather-wrapped door panels with denim inserts, Plexiglass
and
LED lighting transform the handles into custom holders for storing
necessities
Trunk
-- Motorized shelving display in the trunk that raises and lowers
featuring
clothing and accessories from design partners, and select items by Kid
Robot
-- Custom leather-wrapped trunk box with accents for disappearing shelves
with LED lighting
Audio
-- Memphis Car Audio amplifier and subwoofer in the headliner and in the
trunk, respectively with dashboard mounted tweeters
-- Eclipse head unit powers the sound system with a removable faceplate,
GPS, DVD, and Bluetooth compatibility
Kia Motors Product Line
Kia Motors America offers a dynamic and diverse product line to meet the needs
of all lifestyles. The vehicle line features the stylish and all-new Forte
compact sedan and all-new two-door Forte Koup, the highly personalizable Soul,
functional Rondo CUV, award-winning Sedona minivan, purposeful Optima midsize
sedan and versatile yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The vehicle
line also features the affordably luxurious Borrego and value-packed Sportage
SUVs, while the rugged 2011 Sorento CUV arrives in showrooms in January 2010.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors
Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of
vehicles through more than 650 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008,
KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia
Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe
and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are
exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available
at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including photography,
visit www.kiamedia.com.
About Antenna Magazine
Antenna is the first national magazine to target individuals who are on a
constant quest for the latest and coolest products on the horizon. A guidebook
allowing readers to navigate an extensive collection of products in one single
publication, while championing the people who create, sell and collect them
all in one comprehensive, artful, elegant and innovative format. Antenna
features everything from jeans and rare sneakers to travel, electronics and
your favorite childhood snacks, guiding you through the clutter, curating all
that matters. Antenna is published by Harris Publications, one of the
country's largest special interest publishers with over 70 different titles,
including XXL, RIDES and 0-60.
SOURCE Kia Motors America
Alex Fedorak of Kia Motors America, +1-949-468-4813, Afedorak@kiausa.com; or
Amy Corsinita of Zeno Group, +1-949-468-4818, Amy.corsinita@zenogroup.com, for
Kia Motors America
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