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

One, by one, the 18 finalists for Billy Fuccillo’s 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 company’s “huge” expectations.

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.

“It’s not that easy to just get up and imrove” Fuccillo said of his unscripted commercials. “There are a couple who are seasoned veterans. This wasn’t 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.”

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.

“Billy’s such a big personality,” Villarreal said. “We don’t 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 location’s distinction as the top-selling Kia dealership in the world since opening in December, 2010.

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, she’s really my motivation, and she encouraged me to apply,” said Harper, who sells real estate for Barclay’s in Fort Myers.

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 Fuccillo’s 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, it’s an honor.”

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, I’m going to worry about it,” Harper said. “Because I want this so bad. There’s 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 didn’t know what to expect,” she said afterward. “Hopefully I’ll hear something.”

Andrea Cervantes, 27, a dental assistant from Cape Coral, bought an Optima from Fuccillo last year.

“It’s the most-fun driving car on the market today,” Cervantes said during her commercial shoot in front of the Optima.

Each of the finalists tried their take on Fuccillo’s 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. “I’m so glad to have had this opportunity.”

Original from: http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2017/11/09/billy-fuccillo-narrows-new-kia-commercial-star-18-finalists-port-charlotte/843475001/