• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, August 16, 2006

J.P. Morgan Chase is pairing up with Facebook to be the exclusive credit card sponsor on the college social networking site for a year.

Starting this week, Chase will run banner ads throughout Facebook that invite members to join a group page--on the site--of people who want to learn about, or sign up for, Chase's new "+ 1" credit card. The card promotion geared toward students carries the tag line: "A totally new way to hook up your friends, yourself and your community."

Through the Chase + 1 program, users will be able to earn rewards points by simply getting a card, referring a friend, and other actions. Earned points toward DVDs and other college-oriented merchandise can also be shared with others or donated to charitable causes or campus groups.

"For us, this is an opportunity to establish a life-long brand and business relationship," said Manning Field, senior vice president of branding and advertising for Chase Card Services. He said the partnership with Facebook allowed Chase to reach students considering their first credit card and tap into the social networking phenomenon.

"What's most important to them is the idea of community--hanging out and connecting with friends. We wanted to make that connection," said Field. To deepen that connection, Chase has enlisted ground forces of "student influencers" at 100 colleges around the country to help generate buzz about the +1 program and drive traffic to Chase's Facebook page.

In addition to information about the Chase card and the rewards program, the company's Facebook page will feature tips on credit and spending.