Last week, social networking giant Facebook debuted Facebook Ads, an ad system that lets consumers recommend products to friends and allows corporate profiles. The three-part set-up aids the viral transmission of messages, provides an interface to track information about people’s activity on Facebook and lets businesses make their own Facebook pages.
“We think the viral nature of Facebook follows the goals of the New York Times, and it is incredible the crossover we have with Facebook,” said Vivian Schiller, SVP and GM of NYTimes.com. “Twenty-three percent of NYTimes.com users have a Facebook account and 16% of Facebook users have a NYTimes.com account, according to Nielsen.”
Business profiles on Facebook interact with the community like normal members. Blockbuster, CBS, Chase, The Coca-Cola Co., Microsoft, Sony Pictures Television and Verizon Wireless are among the new Facebook Ads partners.
More than 100,000 new Facebook pages launched last week. The Coca-Cola Co.’s page features its Sprite brand, inviting users to add an application called “Sprite Sips.” Others include Fandango, iLike, Musictoday, OpenTable, SeamlessWeb, Zagat Survey and Zazzle, who will offer services within the network.
