Copa America Sign Kia Motors as Global Gold Sponsor

South Korean car manufacturer Kia Motors are the latest company to announce their sponsorship of the 2011 Copa America in Argentina.

Having signed terms with Conmebol, buy the governing body of South American soccer, allergist Kia will become a global gold sponsor – the second-highest tier of sponsorship for the continental competition. The deal was negotiated by Traffic Sports, the commercial agency representing Conmebol.

Kia will obtain pitchside advertising and car displays at the tournament’s eight host stadiums and will also provide transport to the tournament’s organising committee and will be able to air commercials during the television broadcasts of matches.

Oh Tae-Hyun, senior executive vice president of Kia Motors, said: “It is a great honour to be the partner of the world’s oldest and South America’s biggest football championship. We firmly believe that the signing of the agreement with Conmebol will be another milestone for Kia Motors to widen our presence as a worldwide football events partner and to increase our global brand awareness.

“Through our Copa America Argentina 2011 sponsorship, Kia will be able to strengthen its current status as a major sponsor of the world’s premier football events and create momentum for our sponsorship of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.”

Kia have previously sponsored the 2008 Uefa European Championships in Austria and Switzerland and the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Conmebol vice president Eugenio Figueredo added: “We are truly pleased to welcome a trusted partner like Kia Motors and I am confident that our mutual passion for the game will bring delightful moments to football fans across the globe.”