• November 7, 2007

A dozen brand marketers have signed up for Facebook Ads, a system that enables people to provide referrals to their friends and helps businesses spread information through the social graph, Facebook announced on Tuesday.

The 12 companies are Blockbuster, CBS, Chase, Coca-Cola, Sony Pictures, Verizon, CondeNet (Epicurious.com and flip.com), Crest Whitestrips, Dove Cream Oils, Herbal Essences, The New York Times Co., and Saturn.

Coca-Cole will feature its Sprite brand on a new Facebook Page and will invite users to add an application to their account called "Sprite Sips." People will be able to create, configure and interact with an animated Sprite Sips character. Consumer will be able to enter a PIN found under the cap of every 20 oz. bottle of Sprite to unlock special features and accessories.

Verizon will allow users to match ringtones with the personalities of their friends while Verizon Text A Friend enables users to send text messages from Facebook to friends' mobile devices. Both applications, built on Facebook's Platform, are available on the Verizon Page and can be added by users to their Facebook accounts.

--Nina M. Lentini