Ad of the Day: Lorde’s Song ‘Royals’ Makes Ad Debut for Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Skipping what might have been more lyrically appropriate endorsements like Cadillac, Crystal, Grey Goose or Maybach, the 16-year-old New Zealand singer Lorde lends the melody of her chart-topping hit "Royals" to this two-minute Samsung ad. Directed by Furlined's Adam Hashemi, the spot tells the story of a mysterious character who arrives in a blighted city setting and uses his Galaxy Note 3 tablet and Galaxy Gear smart watch to set in motion an at-first-cryptic urban development project.

The youth of the city follow the man through the deserted streets, each taking turns singing the Lorde song—a version that's pretty faithful to the original, despite the different voices. Eventually, there's a scene of complete destruction, followed by utter renewal—as the mystery man turns out to be the world's most famous soccer player, Lionel Messi.

The spot has a nice, dark vibe, great cinematography and impressive attention to detail. Paco Delgado, who was the costume designer for the film version of Les Misérables, created the costumes for the spot. (Also, ad geeks will recognize the name "G. Seese" when it pops up on the smart watch—it's a reference to Guy Seese, the longtime Wieden, Goodby and Cole & Weber creative director, who worked on this ad.)

But more than anything, it's the music that gives the spot its power. It might seem like an odd song for any commercial—the lyrics suggest a disdain for lavish celebrity culture and conspicuous consumption, in which advertising is always implicated. (It seems Lorde does want a bit of money after all.) But it's an undeniably great track—and a coup for Samsung to have landed it first.

The "Design Your Life" tagline appears at the end, but Lorde's involvement in the project brings to mind another Samsung line: "The next big thing is already here."

CREDITS

Client: Samsung

Spot: "The Developer"

Agency: Leo Burnett, Chicago

Executive Vice President, Creative Director: Shannon McGlothin

Senior Vice Presidents, Creative Directors: Brandon Rochon, Adam Kennedy

Creative Directors: Guy Seese, Brian Murphy

Senior Vice President, Account Director: Radim Svoboda

Account Director: Benjamin Haynes

Account Executive: Cameron Zick

Senior Vice President, Executive Producer: Jen Dennis

Producer: Keith Jamerson

Vice President, Music Director: Gabe McDonough

Senior Music Producer: Chris Clark

Senior Vice President, Global Strategy Director: Huw Gildon

Senior Vice President, Strategy Director: Steven Yuan

Senior Strategist: Marton Harsanyi

Production Company: Furlined

Director: Adam Hashemi

Executive Producer: Eriks Krumins

Editing: Rock Paper Scissors

Editor: Mikkel EG

Executive Producer: Carol Lynn Weaver

Music Supervisor: George Drakoulias

Sound Designer: Gus Koven, Stimmung

Mixer: Loren Silber, Lime Studios

Music Production Support: Amber Music

Postproduction: The Mill