LONDON — Automotive brand Kia has appointed Third City to support the UK launch of its new model, the EV9, as it aims to grow its market share in UK electrified vehicle sales.

Kia is the B Corp agency’s first automotive client. Third City has been tasked with handling all pre-launch promotional activity for the EV9, including media relations, social media and digital content.

The campaign creative will centre on a multichannel campaign stunt focused on “a celebration of electricity” and the sustainable future of electric vehicles, and will underline features of the car including a cabin made largely from recycled plastic items such as fishing nets and plastic bottles.

Daniel Sayles, head of press and PR for Kia UK, said: “The Kia EV9 is an immensely important product launch for us, which requires and deserves coverage and awareness in new spaces for our brand. The brief was a tough one, but Third City’s creativity and commitment to sustainability made them a clear choice to support us during our pre-launch phase.”

Third City creative director and partner Henry Warrington added: “Speak to any agency and an automotive brand will be right up there among their dream clients. Kia is doing some amazing work, named as ‘manufacturer of the year’ twice in the past month and making a real push into sustainability with its growing range of award-wining electric vehicles. We’ve got some exciting things planned for the EV9 and can’t wait to start the journey.”