News Corp’s leading UK media operations have teamed up with Kia Motors UK, the official sponsor of the 2010 World Cup, to create a joint platform for fans to engage, share and enjoy the tournament. 

This marks the first time News Corporation has worked together to deliver a fully integrated sporting campaign for a commercial partner.

In conjunction with Kia, News International titles The Times, Sunday Times, The Sun and News Of The World have joined forces with Sky Sports to deliver a multi-platform campaign, in a deal worth £1.5 million. 

From 25th January, fans will be able to visit www.kiafootball.co.uk, a destination site for all fans to discuss the tournament, view editorial content and win money can’t buy experiences.

In the run up to the World Cup, the participating News Corp titles will be creating in paper and online content to encourage debate and interaction whilst allowing the fans to play a major role in its creation.

In one of the most exciting football competitions ever created, the Sun is launching Wrighty’s XI in association with Kia in February 2010, a competition to find England’s biggest fans, where each will have the opportunity to attend all of England’s matches in the group stage.   Other fantastic prizes include the launch of a nationwide 5-a-side competition, also sponsored by Kia, to find England’s best team.  This is in association with News of the World, and the winners will fly to Hamburg for the European finals and, if they qualify, the 5-a-side World Cup final. 

For the younger football supporters, The Sun and the Times will participate in a competition to find a lucky youngster to escort the official World Cup Mascot onto the pitch during the England v USA match.

This deal was negotiated between  Fuse, the sports and entertainment division of OMD, and the News International creative solutions team.

Simon Hetherington, Marketing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said, "Kia are very proud and excited to be a sponsor of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.  As a customer focused company, our aim is to enhance the enjoyment of the FIFA World Cup for the fans, and we are pleased to have partnered with News International to achieve this. 

Our partnership with News International will bring a host of exciting competitions with money can't buy prizes, information and opportunities to the army of football fans looking forward to this summer’s main event. Kia have recently launched an industry-leading 7 year warranty across its whole range, and in the UK achieved record sales of over 50,000 units in 2009'.”