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Samsung to Ramp Up Media on Devices

Samsung hired David Eun as the new executive vice president of its content division, as the company tries to bump up its media offerings to lure customers.

The South Korean electronics maker said Eun will “play a key role in developing a global media strategy and driving new business opportunities to take advantage of Samsung’s growing number of digital televisions and displays, mobile phones, tablets and other connected devices.”

Samsung is in the process of restructuring, and recently announced the division of its digital media and device solutions departments into two separate entities. The company appears to be shifting its focus to add integrated media content across its range of devices.

Media content is an increasingly important factor for consumers when choosing smartphones and tablets. For example, Amazon has its own streaming service that works in tandem with the new Kindle Fire tablet as well as its hugely popular bookstore, and Barnes & Noble’s Nook tablet takes advantage of the bookseller’s vast content inventory. Apple’s own devices are tightly integrated with a large iTunes store, connecting users to music, movies, apps and more.

In addition, Google’s intention to purchase Motorola may give Samsung reason to diversify both its OS and content offerings, especially as Google ramps up its Music and YouTube services. Google’s move to Apple’s content model — connecting devices to content via in-house services like iTunes and iBookstore — leaves Samsung offerings paling in comparison.

Meanwhile, Samsung smartphone users are able to access similar content, but they do it by downloading third-party apps to run media-based services like Netflix on their mobile devices. Samsung is left out of that process, especially as customers consume more media through smartphones.

But a push to increase integrated media content on its wide range of electronic devices, which Eun will spearhead, may prove lucrative, drawing consumers while creating more profit for the company.

Eun spent time at Google, and was the former president of AOL Media and Studios prior to joining Samsung. His digital content background should prove useful to the company as they attempt to broaden the reach of their global media division.

Samsung is at a key juncture, poised to generate new offerings and maintain its top position in the global smartphone market, so it likely will look to Eun’s expertise to help the company navigate the challenges ahead.

Eun may play a key role developing a solid strategy for Samsung’s exploration of new media, and he seems up to the challenge. Eun says he is “looking forward to joining the impressive leadership already in place and to building a new presence in media for Samsung Electronics.”