Kia Motors America Inc.: The Irvine-based importer...

Kia Motors America Inc.: The Irvine-based importer for South Korean car maker Kia Motors said its Los Angeles-based public relations agency will open an Orange County office to handle Kia’s account. Porter/Novelli-Los Angeles initially will transfer two of its four Kia team members to the Irvine office, said Martha McKinley, who heads the team.

Separately, Porter/Novelli-Los Angeles said it will become the public relations agency for Nissan North America, the Torrance-based importer and distributor of Nissan vehicles. The account had been held by Chiat/Day Communications, the public relations unit of Chiat/Day advertising. Porter/Novelli and Chiat/Day are owned by Omnicom Group Inc., which has decided to fold the Chiat/Day public relations unit. Nissan was its only account, and the 12 posts on the Nissan team will be transferred to Porter/Novelli-Los Angeles effective Nov. 1, the company said.