Want a quick and free way to get a Kia Stinger GT in your driveway? Log onto Facebook.
Irvine-based Kia Motors America introduced a new augmented reality effect on Facebook Messenger that allows consumers to virtually place a three-dimensional rendering of the 2018 Stinger model in a location of their choice.
Users can also create an image and save it to their smartphones or share the photo with friends.
Kia is one of the first brands to debut the AR feature on Facebook’s messaging platform. The social media giant announced an initial rollout of the tool at its annual developer conference this month. Asus, Nike and Sephora are also offering AR on Facebook Messenger. Other brands must join a waitlist.
“The addition of augmented reality into the Kia Bot for Facebook Messenger allows us to provide today’s car buyers with an extended interaction on the social platforms they use most,” said Kimberley Gardiner, Kia director of marketing and communications.
Facebook Messenger Product Manager Heath Black said that integrating AR camera effects into chats lets customers get “up close and personal with the Stinger” and see the car in a new way.
It’s not the first time Kia has partnered with Facebook to market cars. In 2016, the automaker created Niro Bot, a digital assistant that users could chat with to get information on its Niro hybrid crossover model.
The latest assistant, Kian, was launched in November for its entire model lineup. Built on artificial intelligence, Kian helps Facebook users with a number of services, from researching prices and estimating payments to finding nearby dealers and special offers.
All Dolled Up
Cosmetics companies Urban Decay in Newport Beach and Irvine-based Too Faced squeezed into the top 10 on Tribe Dynamics’ latest earned media value cosmetics report.
The research firm quantifies the estimated value of publicity gained through digital earned media and their respective engagement levels, such as comments, shares and video views. It reviews posts from influencers, brands, retailers and publications across all social media channels.
Urban Decay, No. 8 on the list, recorded $46.9 million in earned media value in March, up 26% year-over-year. The brand has since introduced a number products, such as lipstick and eye shadow palettes. Last month, it announced its collaboration with fashion designer and actress Nicole Richie featuring a primer, setting mist, three waterproof eyeliners and a long-lasting lipstick housed in a limited-edition makeup bag. Richie teamed with L’Oreal-owned Urban Decay last year to promote its “sex-proof” Troublemaker mascara.
Too Faced was No. 9, a 9% drop, to $38.4 million in earned media value. Co-founder Jarrod Blandino announced in a post that received more than 3,000 likes that he’ll do a second collaboration with beauty blogger Kandee Johnson. The company also released a YouTube video this month titled “Hangover Hospital” to promote its Hangover Rx face primer. The soap opera-themed spot features Blandino, who portrays a doctor, and beauty influencers Megs Cahill, the patient, and Mariale Marrero, a nurse. Cahill is lying in a pink hospital room, her makeup smeared, but Blandino comes to her rescue to help “refresh” her look.
Finish Line
There was a new participant in last week’s 14th annual OC Marathon and Half Marathon—San Diego County Credit Union.
The institution, which operates five branches in Orange County, joined the race as a title sponsor.
Roughly 30,000 spectators cheered on the more than 20,000 runners at this year’s events, which included a kid’s race and Wahoo’s OC 5K.
Moses Wanyoike Gitau of Kenya won the men’s marathon, finishing in two hours, 31 minutes and 37 seconds, and fellow countrywoman Rebecca Jelagat took first place in the women’s race, finishing at two hours, 51 minutes and 6 seconds.
The men’s half-marathon winner was Dave Marks of Colorado with a time of one hour, five minutes and 52 seconds. The women’s winner was Brittni Hutton of Santa Barbara with a finishing time of one hour, 19 minutes and 25 seconds.
The credit union has assets of $8.4 billion, 43 branch locations and 30,000 ATMs.
Bits & Pieces
Jeff Holland was named director of public relations in North America for Cypress-based automaker Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. He’ll head development and management of the company’s external and internal public relations strategies and oversee its events. Holland previously served as vice president of marketing communications at Electra Meccanica Vehicles Corp.
