One of the most exciting parts about basketball games are slam dunks. Some may say that slam dunk competitions are even more exciting than games, so how do you make slam dunk contests more exciting? Have the players dunk over a Kia Optima!

 

The NBA all-star, Blake Griffin, lined up to take slam-dunks over the hood of Kia's redesigned Optima, which you can jump into at Turner Kia - 4201 Chambers Hill Road Harrisburg, PA 17111.

 

Kia was pleased to supply the Optima, which already has a partnership with the L.A. Clippers. This past season, the team continued to emerge from under L.A.'s other famous NBA team, the Lakers.

 

"People are coming up to me and saying, 'We loved when you jumped over the car.' To me, basketball is more than a dunk contest," Griffin said in a phone interview. ¹

 

Kia's US marketing's chief, Michael Sprague, says Griffin is youthful, hardworking and "represents the future of the NBA." With Griffin being recognized as a rising star, Sprague hopes Kia will be seen in a similar way. The auto maker is already known for it's fuel efficient yet sporty vehicles, and for attracting a youthful audience. ²

 

"Being named rookie of the year has helped build his awareness," Sprague adds. Griffin made the rounds on TV shows such as ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, gaining a wider audience and name recognition, even though people "know him as the guy who jumped over the car." ³

 

Source: ^1,2,3http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2011-06-21-nba-kia_n.htm