Samsung: no pictures and videos… Oh you’re press, Sorry [RANT]

by Antonio Wells Mar 25, 2011 8:17 AM – 3 Comments

I really want to let whoever the idiot(s) at Samsung who instructed staff at their pavilion at CTIA Wireless 2011 know it was a distasteful and unprofessional decision to not allow non-press attendees to take hands on pictures and videos of their consumer smartphone and tablet products.

The problem this created was for members of the press who, quote-unquote had the privilege; Samsung’s staff would rudely interrupt us snapping shots and taking vids for our audiences then look at our badge credentials. Only to offer an apology and allow us to continue. This completely ruined media assets.

One blogger told me how one of Samsung’s staff basically assaulted him by forcefully grabbing him by the neck badge and dragging him off the show floor; as if he was a dog! Thereafter looked at his badge, offered an apology and allowed him to continue. Personally, I would have pressed charges or used my right to self defense from being attacked in that situation.

I spoke among many other press and bloggers who experienced the same harassment and they all share the same disgust. I learned a long time ago that common sense is not common. I’m really baffled trying to rationale why would someone issue such a stupid command. Worst case scenario, what’s the damage non press folks can do in snapping and filming your products? Give you more coverage and brand recognition. Even if they catch bugs on film or completely trash talk your product, again, what harm on the global scale of your brand and sales would that affect? If anything it would balance out the organic nature of review for your products; as only all good praise reviews of a products seems like marketing versus organic.

If you agree or disagree with Samsung’s approach, let’s discuss it in the comments below.

Tags: CTIA Wireless, Rant, Samsung

Categorised in: Featured, News

3 Comments

By AndrewKam on March 25, 2011 at 10:16 am:

I’ve experienced this twice. In the middle of recording, Samsung booth attendants stopped me from recording and then apologized when they saw my badge. It’s annoying and needs to stop.

Reply
By MartinDK on March 25, 2011 at 12:51 pm:

Before coming down too hard on Samsung, I would like to see some evidence of this behaviour (pics/vids).

But if it is true, they have a huge problem, and need to give a public excuse (and frankly punish the relevant employees).

I was working up a bit of excitement for the Galaxy Tabs, but behaviour like this should not be condoned by purchasing their products before they make amends.

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on March 25, 2011 at 5:35 pm:
  
  The worst part is that you probably won’t find those interrupted videos on YouTube because press cared for showing their audience good hands on videos. I’ll reach out to a few publishers to see if they would share uncut videos.
  
  I don’t blame the employees, they were doing their job; ill- advised, but doing it. I blame whoever issued the command, as all employees executed in the same manner.
  
  Reply