'France Business Trip' Lee Jae-yong: "Galaxy Flip6 Olympic Marketing Went Well"

Remarks on Return from Gimpo Aviation Center on the 7th
Regarding Paris Achievements, "They Must Be Shown Through Performance"

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong said on the way back from a roughly two-week business trip to Paris, France, on the 7th, "I felt rewarded because the Galaxy Z Flip6 selfie marketing seemed to have gone well."

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong returning to Korea through Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC) in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on June 13 after a two-week business trip to the United States. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Chairman Lee returned to Seoul around 5:10 p.m. that day via the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center (SGBAC) in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and when asked by reporters about his impressions of attending the Olympics for the first time in 12 years, he responded as such. On the 27th of last month, he watched the men's sabre individual fencing event held at the Grand Palais in Paris and encouraged gold medalist Oh Sang-wook and others.

During the Olympics, Samsung Electronics actively utilized its flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip6, to conduct 'Olympic marketing.' In coordination with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they operated the 'Victory Selfie' program using the Galaxy Z Flip6 at the Olympics, which received positive responses from athletes. Medalists were able to take selfies using the Galaxy Z Flip6 on the podium. Gold medalists such as An Se-young (badminton), Lim Si-hyun (archery), and Oh Sang-wook (fencing) created memorable moments at the award ceremonies with Victory Selfies.

On the 25th of last month and the 3rd of this month, Samsung Electronics invited members of 'Team Samsung Galaxy,' a group of Samsung-sponsored athletes, to hold experience events at the Samsung Olympic Experience Center within the Olympic Village. Representatives from various countries, including Shin Yu-bin (table tennis) and An Se-young, experienced Galaxy artificial intelligence (AI).

When asked about meetings with global company CEOs, Chairman Lee said, "I met with many people," adding, "It is difficult to disclose detailed information."

Regarding the outcomes of the Paris business trip, he smiled and said, "It must be shown through results."

Samsung announced that during the two-week trip, Chairman Lee held relay meetings with global semiconductor, information technology (IT), and automotive industry leaders, including former ASML CEO Peter Wennink. They shared information and insights necessary to strengthen strategic partnerships with clients, discover future growth engines, and review business strategies.

On the 25th of last month (local time), at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, a luncheon with global business leaders was held at the ?lys?e Palace in Paris. About 40 global business figures attended, including Elon Musk (CEO), James Quincey (Coca-Cola CEO), Neal Mohan (YouTube CEO), Dave Ricks (Eli Lilly CEO), and Bernard Arnault (LVMH Chairman). At the luncheon, Chairman Lee exchanged diverse opinions on the global economic outlook, future technology trends, and organizational culture innovation.

He also played the role of a 'private diplomat.' During the trip, Chairman Lee attended the 'Paris Olympic Opening Eve Dinner,' co-hosted by IOC President Thomas Bach and President Macron at the Louvre Museum, together with Hong Ra-hee, former director of the Samsung Museum of Art Leeum. At the dinner, he conversed with about 100 IOC members, King Felipe VI of Spain, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King Frederik of Denmark, Prince Albert of Monaco, and others.

Chairman Lee did not respond to questions regarding his Chuseok schedule that day.