AD AGE's E.J. Schultz noted Kia for the eighth straight year "will be advertising in the Super Bowl." Kia is the "first automaker to confirm a Super Bowl ad buy." Toyota, which had appeared in five straight games, is "not coming back for Super Bowl LI." David&Goliath, L.A., will "handle the creative" for Kia (ADAGE.com, 11/10).
MONEY TREES: Shaquille O'Neal has "teamed up with American Express to star in a commercial series with a handful of celebrities" -- starting with rapper Kendrick Lamar -- to "encourage cardmembers to shop local and support small businesses." In the first ad, O'Neal and Lamar "visit Soaptopia -- a handmade soap company based in Mar Vista, Calif." (USATODAY.com, 11/10).
BE MORE HUMAN: Gold Medal-winning U.S. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman took "part in Reebok's '#perfectnever' campaign against body shaming." Raisman "took to Instagram with a 'Shoutout to all the boys from 5th-9th grade who made fun of me for being too strong.'" Raisman is "reaching out in particular to young girls as part of Reebok’s 'Be More Human' campaign" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 11/10).
THE LAST RIDE: NASCAR driver Brian Scott "plans to retire after next week’s Sprint Cup season finale to spend more time with his family." Boise-based grocer Albertsons, Scott’s longtime sponsor, said that it would "terminate its NASCAR program after the season." However, Richard Petty Motorsports "plans to field the No. 44 that Scott drove with a new sponsor and another driver." The No. 44 Ford has had sponsorship from Albertsons and Idaho-based resort Shore Lodge throughout the season (IDAHO STATESMAN, 11/11).
