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Bang It Like Beckham: Samsung Taps Soccer Star to Play Up the Precision of the New Galaxy Note

This article is more than 10 years old.

Combine David Beckham, the summer Olympics and the new Samsung Galaxy Note. And by the way, Mr. Beckham is only available for two hours.

That was the challenge that Samsung posed to Lars Bastholm, chief creative officer at Cheil USA. What to do? Day in the life spot with Beckham and his newest bright, shiny thing? Acting is, "not what [footballers] do, they play sports, and that's what they are good at," Bastholm told Advertising Age. Kicking? Yes, precise kicking is what Beckham is known for. How about having him "paint the Olympic rings with his perfectly-placed kicks." Nope, "too messy." Other than boasting the world's largest smartphone screen (5.3"), it's the super precise pen input that set's the Note apart—so no messiness.

Kicking, yes. Paint, no. Olympic rings. Round. Drums. Ode to Joy! Score!!!

So like the new Leap Motion controller writ large (sorry Kinect!) director Jason Zada (the man behind last year's viral Facebook creeper, "Take This Lollipop") had Beckham kick a bunch of soccer balls at a wall of different sized drums so that he appeared (with the help of generous post-production) to be kicking out the tune of "Ode to Joy," under the direction of a Galaxy Note wielding art director.

There you have it, a minute-and-a-half of video that appeals equally to jocks and creatives (and the fans who love them), plays off a tune associated with the Olympics, shows the spontaneous handwriting capabilities of the Galaxy Note's "S Pen" and is intricate enough to reward repeat viewings. Add ice, a twist of lemon zest, shake vigorously and serve a perfect viral cocktail. Cheers!

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