Samsung ad challenges Apple's iPhone 5s to take 'ice bucket challenge'
In a short commercial posted Friday, South Korean electronics giant Samsung subjected its water-resistant Galaxy S5 smartphone to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which the handset's S-Voice personal digital assistant called "freezing" before nominating Apple's iPhone 5s and other competitors to do the same.
The short, 15-second spot is voiced entirely by the Galaxy's British S-Voice variant. "I am the Samsung Galaxy S5, this is my ice bucket challenge," it intones. "Gosh that's freezing."
Samsung has repeatedly touted the handset's waterproof housing when comparing it against Apple's iPhone. Apple has repeatedly been rumored to have a new waterproof option in the works, but it has yet to materialize in a shipping device.
As is the custom for the ice bucket challenge, Samsung will also make a donation to the British Motor Neurone Disease Association charity. One executive at Samsung UK's advertising agency, Cheil UK, told AdAge that it was the "perfect opportunity for the brand to do something that was meaningful but also unexpected."
The ice bucket challenge has swept Silicon Valley recently, with a number of Apple executives taking part. Marketing czar Phil Schiller was first to take the dousing, challenging -- among others -- CEO Tim Cook.
Cook was drenched in the amphitheatre at the center of Apple headquarters in Cupertino. He nominated recent Apple addition Dr. Dre, who was soaked last week.
The short, 15-second spot is voiced entirely by the Galaxy's British S-Voice variant. "I am the Samsung Galaxy S5, this is my ice bucket challenge," it intones. "Gosh that's freezing."
Samsung has repeatedly touted the handset's waterproof housing when comparing it against Apple's iPhone. Apple has repeatedly been rumored to have a new waterproof option in the works, but it has yet to materialize in a shipping device.
As is the custom for the ice bucket challenge, Samsung will also make a donation to the British Motor Neurone Disease Association charity. One executive at Samsung UK's advertising agency, Cheil UK, told AdAge that it was the "perfect opportunity for the brand to do something that was meaningful but also unexpected."
The ice bucket challenge has swept Silicon Valley recently, with a number of Apple executives taking part. Marketing czar Phil Schiller was first to take the dousing, challenging -- among others -- CEO Tim Cook.
Cook was drenched in the amphitheatre at the center of Apple headquarters in Cupertino. He nominated recent Apple addition Dr. Dre, who was soaked last week.
Comments
It'll be interesting to find out the outcome. I thought we're in a drought in CA. I guess not. Water/Ice all around...
My thoughts exactly!
The sad fact is the ad is just another publicity stunt instead of a true donation to the cause.
The funny thing is not many people are going to buy a Samsung galaxy S5 due to this commercial since they are waiting for the release of the upcoming iPhone. ????
The whole thing just leaves me cold.
They actually did donate to the UK version of the ALS org. But it doesn't matter. They are trying to market off a terrible disease.
I actually think it's quite funny.
Hope they did make a donation as well though, for piggybacking on the cause.
When was the last time Samsung donated to charity?
Why don't you just Google it?
http://www.samsungtelecom.com/life-at-samsung/corporate-responsibility.asp
Jesus that's in bad taste.
Wow. Just WOW. The ice bucket challenge is supposed to be about charity, not just some other opportunity for a cutthroat company to capitalize on. I can't express how tasteless this is on Samsung's part, let alone how blatantly obsessed they are with all things Apple (including public appearances by their executive team).
Stupid and pathetic, but otherwise par for the course for Scamscum.
is a bit tasteless. Shows how low Samsung is willing to sink in order to one up Apple. Turn this cause into a way to poke at competitors. Waiting for you to blow them out the water again Apple in September. No waterproofing necessary.
No waterproofing necessary.
But preferred.