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Samsung “Don't Die On Me” 2018

Samsung “Don't Die On Me” (2018) is a Samsung commercial directed by Hoffman for Leo, produced by MJZ. It won one award: LIA 2018 Bronze — Production & Post-Production / Editing.

A series of intense, dramatic scenes from various genres are interrupted by a phone's low battery, highlighting the importance of staying connected to the stories that matter.

Video: Whitehouse Post on Vimeo

Shot by shot

  1. A female lifeguard in a red swimsuit runs towards the camera, holding a rescue buoy, then dives into a swimming pool on a sunny day.© Samsung0:03
  2. A man in a white martial arts uniform is thrown through a wooden screen in a busy Chinese restaurant, as other diners react in shock.© Samsung0:06
  3. A young female lifeguard in a red swimsuit is underwater, looking up as a child in a colorful swimsuit reaches for her hand in a swimming pool.© Samsung0:10
  4. A person in blue gloves performs CPR on another person's chest in a dimly lit, intense interior setting.© Samsung0:13
  5. A young male soldier in camouflage uniform lies on the ground, looking up with a scared expression, with flames burning in the background.© Samsung0:16
  6. A man in an orange robe lies on a white surface, seemingly unconscious, while another person's arm is visible in the foreground, in a dimly lit interior.© Samsung0:20
  7. A person holds a smartphone displaying a crying man with a low battery icon over his eyes, in an interior setting.© Samsung0:25
  8. A close-up shot of a male soldier in a helmet and camouflage uniform, crying on a smartphone screen with a low battery icon, held by a hand in a dark setting.© Samsung0:29
  9. A young female with dark hair looks down with a worried expression, illuminated by a screen in a dark interior.© Samsung0:35
  10. A young woman with long brown hair reaches for a white charging cable and a smartphone on a patterned carpet, under what appears to be a bed or blanket fort.© Samsung0:37
  11. A worried mother holds her baby and a smartphone, looking distressed as she tries to use the device in an interior setting.© Samsung0:41
  12. A woman with dark hair and a tear in her eye looks down, in a close-up shot.© Samsung0:46

Stills © Samsung. Made by Leo, MJZ and Hoffman.

Every shot, full-quality frames and clips, and search across every commercial. Free account.

The idea

Low battery interrupts dramatic stories, emphasizing the need for wireless charging.

Tagline: “We're pioneering wireless charging so you can keep the story alive.”

interrupted narrativemeta-narrativeemotional stakeseveryday herorace against timeproduct as solution

The cut

Length
60 s
Shots
40
Average shot
1.5 s

What creatives use Samsung “Don't Die On Me” for

  1. 01Reference frames for your treatment

    Pitching something with the feel of Samsung “Don't Die On Me”? A screenshot from a video player won't hold up in a deck.

    Download any frame of this spot at full quality, with its credits, or search every spot for the same look.

    A female lifeguard in a red swimsuit runs towards the camera, holding a rescue buoy, then dives into a swimming pool on a sunny day.© SamsungA man in a white martial arts uniform is thrown through a wooden screen in a busy Chinese restaurant, as other diners react in shock.© SamsungA young female lifeguard in a red swimsuit is underwater, looking up as a child in a colorful swimsuit reaches for her hand in a swimming pool.© SamsungA person in blue gloves performs CPR on another person's chest in a dimly lit, intense interior setting.© Samsung
    Frames from Samsung “Don't Die On Me”

  2. 02Shot list example: how it was cut

    You need the structure of a great spot, shot by shot, for your storyboard.

    Every shot of Samsung “Don't Die On Me” in order, with its length, framing and what happens in it.

    A female lifeguard in a red swimsuit runs towards the camera, holding a rescue buoy, then dives into a swimming pool on a sunny day.© SamsungA man in a white martial arts uniform is thrown through a wooden screen in a busy Chinese restaurant, as other diners react in shock.© SamsungA young female lifeguard in a red swimsuit is underwater, looking up as a child in a colorful swimsuit reaches for her hand in a swimming pool.© SamsungA person in blue gloves performs CPR on another person's chest in a dimly lit, intense interior setting.© SamsungA young male soldier in camouflage uniform lies on the ground, looking up with a scared expression, with flames burning in the background.© SamsungA man in an orange robe lies on a white surface, seemingly unconscious, while another person's arm is visible in the foreground, in a dimly lit interior.© Samsung
    Length: 60 s · Shots: 40 · Average shot: 1.5 s

  3. 03Ad ideas: every spot built on a meta-narrative

    Before you present an idea, you need to know who has done it, and how.

    Samsung “Don't Die On Me” is built on a meta-narrative. Search the library by idea to see every spot that uses it.

    Channel 4 “Educating Yorkshire - School's Back”© Channel 4Netflix “Discover Your Future”© NetflixThe RealReal - L’Ultimo Uomo Reale “The Last Real Man”© The RealReal - L’Ultimo Uomo RealePop-Tarts “Unfrosted: Not Brought to You By Pop-Tarts”© Pop-Tarts
    Channel 4 · Netflix · The RealReal - L’Ultimo Uomo Reale · Pop-Tarts

More commercials by Hoffman

  • Academy "Hands Up" (2025) commercial still© AcademyAcademy “Hands Up” 2025Dir. Hoffman · McGarrah Jessee
  • CIBC "The Many Sides of Life" (2025) commercial still© CIBCCIBC “The Many Sides of Life” 2025Dir. Hoffman · Courage
  • Chimes "The Feels of Your Side Hustle" (2023) commercial still© ChimesChimes “The Feels of Your Side Hustle” 2023Dir. Hoffman · Barrett

More from Leo

Award-winning tech commercials

Questions

Who directed the Samsung “Don't Die On Me” commercial?

Hoffman directed it, produced by MJZ, for the agency Leo.

Which agency made Samsung “Don't Die On Me”?

Leo created it for Samsung (2018).

What awards did Samsung “Don't Die On Me” win?

1 awards, including LIA 2018 Bronze — Production & Post-Production / Editing.

What is the tagline of Samsung “Don't Die On Me”?

“We're pioneering wireless charging so you can keep the story alive.”

Sources for the credits and awards

liaawards.comLBB