My Publicist Note Book

Kia, the Korean automaker, wants Americans to rethink their idea of luxury as it releases its K900 premium sedan. It has enlisted Laurence Fishburne to reprise his character of Morpheus from "The Matrix." Automotive manufacturers will be back in the Super Bowl this year in full force with at least nine automotive brands aiming to capture the attention of millions of viewers. Most automakers have already started to flood YouTube, Twitter and other social media outlets with teaser ads that are part of broader campaigns to draw attention to their brands. “It’s a four- to six-week period leading up to the Super Bowl,” said Mark Simon, chief creative officer, Lowe Campbell Ewald, an advertising agency that has produced multiple Super Bowl ads in the past. “There is a lot of planning, and advertisers are looking to get their most bang for their buck.” It costs advertisers an estimated $4 million for a 30-second ad; production costs for commercials can cost between $2 mill...

Laurence Fishburne Will Return As Morpheus In Kia's 'Matrix'-Themed Super Bowl Ad Laurence Fishburne's Morpheus character from the sci-fi classic "The Matrix" is unforgettable. His shaved head, pince-nez, gator skin trench coat, and calm way of speaking made him like a futuristic Zen master with Uzis. And even though the last "Matrix" film came out in 2003, Morpheus is making a comeback in  + Kia's upcoming Super Bowl XLVIII ad for its K900 luxury sedan. Kia has yet to unveil the ad, produced by David&Goliath, but revealed some new details to  Adweek . A couple will encounter Morpheus at a valet stand, where he will offer them two keys — a spoof of the "red pill/blue pill scene" from the first movie. "Should they choose wisely, their perception of luxury — and Kia — will never be the same again," Kia said. The three will then go on "an unforgettable ride." Fishburne told USA Today that viewer...