In its latest fiscal year, Samsung spent roughly $4 billion on advertising, about four times as much as Apple. Although Samsung makes TVs, refrigerators and other products, analysts believe much of the marketing is for newer products such as phones.
Samsung splashed the Oscars ceremony with phones and encouraged student presenters to post photos taken with the gadgets.
As for Ortiz, "When we heard about the visit to the White House, we worked with David and the team on how to share images with fans," Samsung said. "We didn't know if or what he would be able to capture."
Samsung was tight-lipped on the nature of its relationship with him. But the baseball player told the Boston Globe Wednesday that he signed a deal with Samsung a few months ago and the company gives him "phones and other stuff."
The Obama selfie "wasn't anything on purpose," Ortiz told the Globe. "I would say I went along just like everyone else taking pictures and posted."
"Some partners already understand this is the way the wind is blowing," Stamos said. "We are moving to a world where all content is encrypted all the time."
