All Sochi Olympic athletes to get Galaxy Note 3

[October 23, 2013]  SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Athletes who fail to clinch gold at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics can take home something else: a $900 smartphone from Samsung.

Samsung Electronics Co. is giving the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone to all athletes competing at the Sochi Games in February.

The announcement Wednesday is part of the South Korea company's marketing campaign as a sponsor of the Olympic Winter Games.

It reflects Samsung's growing clout in the smartphone market and willingness to shell out to promote its brand and products.

Samsung Electronics spent $10 billion last year on promotions and advertising.

Samsung and Apple Inc., the two largest smartphone makers, captured 98 percent of profit generated from smartphone sales worldwide in the second quarter of this year, according to Counterpoint Research.

Samsung's Sochi campaign includes a smartphone application called WOW to follow results, medal counts and event schedules.

[Associated Press; By YOUKYUNG LEE]

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