• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, October 15, 2014

Diet Coke is making the most of its brand ambassador deal with Taylor Swift — and vice versa. 

The latest marketing effort is a 30-second TV spot that magnifies Swift's appeal by pairing her with the ultimate video secret weapon: kittens.

Swift is shown giggling and sipping a Diet Coke as she initially plays with one adorable kitten (her own pet, Olivia, according to the brand). As she continues to sip, and the camera pans out, we see that the entire room is being filled with equally adorable kittens, until she's buried, with only her arm (holding the Diet Coke) visible above the mass of fluffy felines.

At the end of the ad, Swift plugs her new album, “1989," which is being released on Oct. 27. The spot is also backed by one of the songs from the new album — the only time it will be heard prior to the album's release. 

The ad is the third TV spot for Diet Coke’s “Get A Taste” campaign, from Droga5 New York, which portrays extraordinary moments or experiences while asking consumers to ponder: "What if life tasted as good as Diet Coke?" The first two spots were “Economy Class” and “Car Wash.” 

The new Swift spot was posted on YouTube on Oct. 15, and will make its television debut on Oct. 17.

In another element of the multi-year Diet Coke brand ambassador deal signed in 2013, starting Oct. 24, fans can enter for a chance to win concert tickets and a flyaway trip for two to an upcoming Swift performance through iHeartRadio.com, RyanSeacrest.com and other sites. Each site will be giving away one of the trips for two, sponsored by Diet Coke. 

In addition, on Oct. 25 and 26, Diet Coke will present Taylor’s takeover of the internationally syndicated “American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest” radio show. And on Oct. 30, it will sponsor Taylor’s four-hour co-hosting of the nationally syndicated, top-rated L.A. morning drive-time radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest.” 

Taylor will co-host the latter show live from New York City, and discuss her new album. This will be the first time that a celebrity has co-hosted the entire program, as well as the first time the full show is presented by a single brand, according to Diet Coke.