A couple of weeks ago, FedEx and Facebook teamed up offering the shipping company’s “Launch a Package” application, which allows Facebook friends to send each other packages of trinkets and photos.

Now, I’m a Facebook user, and sometimes my friends do send me gifts, but I have to admit, I’m not completely sold on this virtual gift giving practice. Is this just the poor man’s way of saying, “Hey I do love you, but since I can’t afford a real gift, I’m giving you a non-existent, zero-dollar virtual gift instead”?

Apparently these types of applications are providing a way for companies to brand themselves in this digital world of ours. In the end, though, is it really creating brand awareness and ultimately dollars for the companies? Personally, if I’m on the receiving end, give me a real FedEx box on my doorstep any day.

Article Tags: Facebook | Facebook applications | FedEx | Launch A Package | Social Media Marketing | Virtual branding
Filed under: Branding, Social Media Marketing, Visual Identity