Earlier this year, Blake Griffin jumped over a 2012 Kia Optima to make a basket during the NBA Sprite All-Star Slam Dunk contest. Because of the stunt, Griffin won the contest, the video went viral, and Kia signed a new spokesperson.

Now, L.A. Clippers player Blake Griffin is signed with Kia as part of a multi-year deal. Effectively, he will appear at various events, engage in philanthropic efforts, and star in commercials as the only NBA player signed with the Korean automaker. The most recent product of the contract is a commercial Kia is calling "Time to Shine," in which the basketball player wears inline skates, is towed by a new Kia Optima to a 45-degree ramp that shoots him up into the air, where he catches a basketball shot out of a cannon and dunks into a 45-ft-high hoop. So, it's maybe not as genuine as the original jump-shot, but it's certainly as memorable.

The tagline, "Kia Optima and Blake Griffin: Taking things to the next level," ends the spot and shows the direction the partnership is headed. With that in mind, Palm Kia expects some impressive stunts from the automaker and the basketball star in the next few years.

Of course, you don't have to be an NBA all-star to enjoy the agility of the 2012 Kia Optima or the style of the 2012 Kia Sorento. We invite you to stop into the Palm Kia showroom, conveniently located at 2305 SW College Rd Ocala, FL 34471 and take a look at our entire lineup of new Kia models. And, as always, if you have any questions about this or any other emerging Kia news, feel free to contact us online, anytime.

Source: ¹http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/160936/griffin-dunks-again-for-kia-but-this-time-on-ska.html