Kia and David&Goliath Continue Epic Road Trip for Part Two of 2026 Sportage Campaign
Kia America continues to revel in the joy, adventure and excitement of the classic American road-trip with the second installment of a two-part creative campaign for the Sportage SUV, this time featuring the 2026 Sportage Hybrid SUV. As the fast-growing brand’s best-selling nameplate, the 2026 Kia Sportage advances design, innovation, technology and convenience across three diverse powertrains, including the powerful turbo hybrid model.
Produced by creative agency David&Goliath and entitled “Relationship Tripping,” which is also set to “Rock’n Me” by the Steve Miller Band, the spot picks up as the young couple’s cross-country road trip in their Kia Sportage Hybrid SUV continues. Traveling through Tennessee, Nevada, Michigan, Maryland, New York and Maine, they celebrate life milestones along the way, including a stop at a wedding chapel and the gift of a baby onesie. A link to the first spot, “T-Shirt Tripping” can be found here.
As Kia’s longest running nameplate, the Sportage model range undergoes its most significant change since the fifth-generation model launched more than three years ago. The 2026 Sportage delivers more of everything for today’s savvy and adventurous consumers across three distinct powertrain variants – ICE, Turbo Hybrid (HEV), and Turbo Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) – with an expansive trim range that includes the rugged and capable X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trims.
“Sportage is Kia’s best-selling nameplate for a reason, because it is the perfect SUV for every driver regardless of life stage,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. “This campaign highlights how adaptable the Sportage is for a variety of drivers, from a single person, to a couple, to a growing family of three or more. With its segment up cargo room and rear seat legroom; advanced driver assistance features; and a tech-forward cabin; the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid is the perfect SUV that can accommodate and adapt to everything people might encounter on the road of life.”
"With part two of ‘Keep the Adventure Going,’ we wanted to evolve the story and spotlight the versatility and innovation of the 2026 Sportage Turbo-Hybrid. This chapter builds on the same bold, confident energy the Sportage is known for,” said Avital Pinchevsky, Executive Creative Director, David&Goliath. “As we follow our couple through new milestones and life changes, the Sportage isn’t just a ride from A to B. It inspires them to soak in every moment. It’s a about connection, spontaneity, and the unexpected possibilities that come when you truly keep the adventure going.”
In addition to the 30-second broadcast spots, the campaign includes 15-second shorts, digital, print and out-of-home components as well as paid social media including social skins and banners ads across a variety of platforms including: TikTok, Pinterest, Meta, Reddit and Snapchat.
Credits
Agency: DAVID&GOLIATH
Founder & Chairman: David Angelo
Chief Creative Officer: Ben Purcell
Executive Creative Director: Avi Pinchevsky
Head of Automotive Art, GCD / Art Director: John O’Hea
Group Creative Director: Mike Czako
Creative Director: Ben Sweitzer
Creative Director: Sammy Glicker
Associate Creative Director: Diego Wortmann
Associate Creative Director: Erick Monero
Art Director: Riley Rawson
Copywriter: Danny White
Content Creator: Rach LaMantia
Designer: Christina Romani
Chief Strategy Officer: Brendan Robertson
Group Strategy Director: Gabi Levi
Brand Strategy Director: Kelly Slater
Jr Strategist: Chase Culver
Group Communications Strategy Director: Jeff Cannata
Associate Communications Director: Amy Wu
Executive Director, Strategic Communications: Luke Hughes
Managing Director: Allison Draskovich
Account Director: Kylie Harmon
Account Supervisor: Madison Herzog
Account Executive: Barbara Lopez
Account Executive: Ben Ramirez
Senior Product Information Specialist: Mark McNaul
Senior Product Information Specialist: Travis Ray
Managing Director, Broadcast Production: Paul Albanese
Group Executive Producer: Christopher Coleman
Senior Producer: Tom Meloth
Managing Director, Integrated Production & Technology: Peter Bassett
Senior Digital Producer: Maria Farris
Digital Producer: Julia Lam
Executive Print Producer: Elisa Atwood
Sr. Digital Designer: Ricardo Turegano
Sr. Developer: Rudy Perez
Director of Business Affairs: Quynh-An Phan
Business Affairs Manager: Kristina Van
Associate Business Affairs Manager: Mariel Clark
Traffic Director: Jermelia Holling
Chief of Integration: Amy Chiang
Associate Director Project Management: Jon Cindric
Project Manager: Hanna Kosinski
Production Company: MJZ
Director: Dante Ariola
President & Co Founder: David Zander
Director of Photography: Phillipe Le Sourd
Executive Producer: Eriks Krumins
Line Producer: Natalie Hill
Production Service Company: Filmgroup
Executive Producer: Nathan Miles
Executive Producer: Renee Paulin
Head of Production: Alexandra Wilson
Line Producer: Katerina Ireland
Editorial Company: Spinach
Editor: Damion Clayton (courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors)
Assistant Editor: Jobe Lowe (courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors)
Assistant Editor: Sam Slavkin (courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors)
Assistant Editor: Jonatas da Silva (courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors)
Managing Director: Adam Bright
Executive Producer: Jonathan Carpio
Producer: Patricia Gushikuma
VFX Company: Jamm
VFX Supervisor
Andy Boyd
Creative Lead
Jake Montgomery
Creative Team
Brandon Thomas
Alex Koester
Franz Kol
Navid Sanati
Production Team
Mike Wigart
AnnMarie DePauw
Color Studio: Trafik
Colorist: Mark Gethin
Producer, Color: KARENA AJAMIAN
Music Publishing House: Sailor Music Is correct
Music Record Label: Sailor Records
Music Title: “Rock’n Me” Alternate Version 1
Composer: Steve Miller
Performers: Steve Miller Band
Audio Services & Sound Design: Racket Club
Sound Designer & Mixer: Nathan Dubin
Executive Producer: Adrea Lavezzoli
Asst Mixer: Anton Doty
Retouching Artists: Wellcom
Brad Slepack: Studio Manager
Robert San Juan: Digital Artist
Gabriel Apodaca: Digital Artist
Scott Dukes: Digital Artist
Music Publishing House: APM [for social content]
Music Title: Lofi Stuck Tapes
Composer: Da Silva Resende, Pedro (SACEM), Cezame Metro Park (BMI)
