Hyundai/Kia Audit Task in Play

Hyundai Motor Co. is reviewing independent media auditing firms to oversee its combined $400 million Hyundai/Kia U.S. media buying business, handled by Aegis Group’s Carat, sources said.

The review is being conducted by the Korean auto maker’s new World Marketing Group, which oversees the performance of its media shop, Carat in Los Angeles. Based in Fountain Valley, Calif., the group was created in February and is run by former Hyundai marketing coordinator Kenny Han.

Contending are Hawk Media in San Francisco; Advantage Media in Lakewood, Colo.;