Samsung Sam Wasn't Created by Samsung
The Claim
Samsung has released a new animated mascot.
News posted on
Emerging story
Samsung Sam, aka “the Samsung girl,” has taken the internet by storm. Since going viral on social media, she has inspired memes and fan art all over multiple platforms. Some of the fan art depicting Samsung Sam is considered not-safe-for-work (NSFW) and shows graphic sexual imagery.
This post, from an adult art page, was amongst the first to make Samsung Sam go viral.
Misbar’s Analysis
The animations for Samsung Sam were developed by Lightfarm Studios, a visual arts production house. According to their website, Lightfarm specializes in “visual communication,” and their work includes “animation, advertising photography, 3D content, real time content (VR and AR), image manipulation, video editing and post production.” For unknown reasons, Lightfarm has removed all images of Samsung Sam from their website.
Although Samsung Sam has been described by social media users as a virtual assistant akin to Apple’s Siri, the character has not been officially endorsed or commented on by any of Samsung’s outlets. While some users claim that Lightfarm created the character in collaboration with Cheil Worldwide, a marketing subsidiary of Samsung, and is thus an official Samsung creation, the evidence for this is not irrefutable.
It is unclear whether or not Samsung will acknowledge Samsung Sam now that she has become wildly popular overnight. In any case, they have benefited from some accidental viral marketing.
