David Ortiz's Selfie With Obama Was a Samsung-Branded Stunt

After presenting the president with an 'Obama 44' Red Sox jersey, Boston designated hitter David Ortiz and Obama posed for a 'selfie.' President Barack Obama hosted the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox team to the White House Tuesday in a ceremony held on the South Lawn.

Image: Jim Davis

Samsung is turning into the Jimmy Kimmel of branding.

For the second time in as many months, a widely circulated selfie has turned out to be a marketing ploy by Samsung. First, Ellen DeGeneres' Oscars selfie was revealed to be orchestrated to promote the Galaxy Note. Now, Sports Business Journal reports that Red Sox slugger David Ortiz's selfie with President Obama came just after Ortiz inked an endorsement deal with Samsung.

Samsung Mobile also promoted the Obama-Ortiz selfie on Twitter:
“We were thrilled to see the special, historic moment David Ortiz captured with his Galaxy Note 3 during his White House visit,” the company told The Boston Globe.

“It was an honor to help him capture such an incredible and genuine moment of joy and excitement. Similar to the selfie Ellen was able to capture during the Oscars, this was an opportunity for David to share the incredible moment with his fans."

President Obama does not appear to have been in on the stunt.

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