Billy Fuccillo narrows new Kia commercial star to 18 finalists in Port Charlotte

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Billy Fuccillo narrows new Kia commercial star to
18 finalists in Port Charlotte
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One, by one, the 18 finalists for Billy
Fuccillos new TV commercial sidekick and model
went through the interview process Thursday at
Fuccillo Kia in Port Charlotte. The process
turned into something that went beyond even the
companys huge expectations. Billy Fuccillo,
owner of Fuccillo Kia in Cape Coral, Port
Charlotte and other car dealerships throughout
Florida and his native New York, spent all of the
afternoon filming commercials with each of the
finalists. He will review the tapes over the
weekend. He hopes to name a winner early next
week. Its not that easy to just get up and
imrove Fuccillo said of his unscripted
commercials. There are a couple who are seasoned
veterans. This wasnt their first rodeo. But I
want to see how they all look on the tapes. I
want to see how they talk and present
themselves.
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Plans to name the winner immediately after
filming were scrapped because there were too many
quality candidates and because Fuccillo wanted to
further screen them, said Xavier Villarreal,
general manager of Fuccillo Kia in Cape
Coral. Billys such a big personality,
Villarreal said. We dont want to put him at
risk. The company will review the finalists
Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts
and do further background checks before
announcing the winner. The winner will get right
to work, as Fuccillo hopes to continue his Cape
Coral locations distinction as the top-selling
Kia dealership in the world since opening in
December, 2010.
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With the resignation of Caroline Renfro in
September as the reigning on-screen foil to
Fuccillo, the Fuccillo Automotive Group wanted a
fresh face to replace her. We did it the other
way before, Villarreal said of Caroline, who
had done numerous TV commercials in her native
North Carolina prior to meeting Fuccillo. He saw
her on TV while in Chapel Hill more than a decade
ago. Why not get somebody who is new?
Villarreal said. An unknown. The possibilities
are endless. The possibilities include Mary
Harper, 26, of Cape Coral. Her family has bought
eight Kia vehicles over the past five years,
including her own Sportage. My mom, shes really
my motivation, and she encouraged me to apply,
said Harper, who sells real estate for Barclays
in Fort Myers.
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Like all the other candidates, Harper first
interviewed in an office with Fuccillo,
Villarreal and other members of the company. She
then filmed a 30-second spot with Fuccillo and
model Gloria Ordonez in front of a Cadenza inside
the showroom before moving outside for another
spot in front of an Optima. To be honest, I was
really nervous, Harper said after her turn. But
once he handed me the microphone, I felt very
comfortable. If I feel I need to say something, I
have no problem with that. Some of the finalists
had trouble getting a word in over Fuccillos
booming voice. Harper said she did what she
could. This is his show, she said. This is his
baby. This feels so surreal. Whoever gets this
opportunity deserves it. There is so much talent
here. For me to be here, its an honor.
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Asked if she would worry about it after leaving
she stayed in the showroom to watch some of her
competition she said she would. Oh, Im going
to worry about it, Harper said. Because I want
this so bad. Theres so much competition. The
competition included Maegan Vogel, 27, the first
applicant to audition. She lives in West Palm
Beach, and found out about the opportunity from
her father-in-law, who lives in Cape Coral. I
didnt know what to expect, she said afterward.
Hopefully Ill hear something. Andrea
Cervantes, 27, a dental assistant from Cape
Coral, bought an Optima from Fuccillo last
year. Its the most-fun driving car on the
market today, Cervantes said during her
commercial shoot in front of the Optima.
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Each of the finalists tried their take
on Fuccillos long-time catchphrase Huuugja.
The car dealer even has the word huge in call
capital letters on the tailfin of his private
jet. The winner will be expected to film up to
180 commercials in one day. Fuccillo films them
about once a month in bunches. There were 18,000
people who emailed the company with
recommendations or applications for the job,
Villarreal said. Those were whittled down to
about 1,000 and then 110 and then 18. It was
amazing, Cervantes said of being one of the
finalists. Im so glad to have had this
opportunity. Original from http//www.news-p
ress.com/story/news/2017/11/09/billy-fuccillo-narr
ows-new-kia-commercial-star-18-finalists-port-char
lotte/843475001/