Facebook and American Express create new currency for advertising spend

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– American Express announced today that Cardmembers will now be able to pay for Facebook Ads using Membership Rewards^® points, marking the first time any company has connected a rewards program to advertising spend in this way. American Express’ industry-leading Membership Rewards program is a featured benefit used by millions of American Express small business and consumer Cardmembers. Facebook is the most popular social media site for small business owners,¹ and Facebook’s advertising platform reaches more than 500 million people globally. With the addition of Membership Rewards points as a payment option, business owners now have a powerful new way to build their businesses through the rapidly growing area of social media advertising.

“We are thrilled to partner with Facebook to bring this first-of-its kind opportunity to small business Cardmembers who can now leverage the marketing power of the world’s largest social media platform in a smart and effective way.”

“The Membership Rewards program is a unique and core asset for American Express that is becoming even more relevant for our Cardmembers in the social media space,” said Ed Gilligan, Vice Chairman at American Express. “We are thrilled to partner with Facebook to bring this first-of-its kind opportunity to small business Cardmembers who can now leverage the marketing power of the world’s largest social media platform in a smart and effective way.”

“With hundreds of thousands of small businesses advertising on Facebook, this latest effort by American Express effectively takes advantage of our platform by providing these business owners with a new and convenient way to pay for Facebook advertising,” said David Fischer, vice president of advertising and global operations, Facebook.

Cardmembers can redeem Membership Rewards points for Facebook Ads through American Express OPEN’s Facebook Page facebook.com/OPEN or the Membership Rewards program website at membershiprewards.com. In the coming weeks, American Express will roll out a national marketing program to support this launch.

How It Works

Cardmembers can redeem Membership Rewards points for Facebook Ads in three easy steps either on Facebook.com/Open or membershiprewards.com.

1. Log in and Choose Your Amount – Access your Membership Rewards account and choose Facebook Ads denomination

2. Get Your Code – American Express sends unique Facebook redemption code via e-mail

3. Load Your Account – Create your ad and enter your Membership Rewards redemption code to pay

Cardmembers can begin redeeming Membership Rewards points for Facebook Ads immediately. For more information, please visit: facebook.com/open.

American Express, Facebook and Small Business

With 35 percent of entrepreneurs using Facebook to promote their business to new customers (up from 27 percent, six months ago), Facebook is the most popular social media site for small business owners, according to the latest results from the semi-annual American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor¹. In a recent effort to help small business owners navigate the Facebook platform, American Express OPEN created the Facebook Big Break for Small Business (facebook.com/OPEN), a national contest designed to help transform the way small businesses use Facebook to connect and engage with customers in a more authentic and personalized way. As part of the program, Facebook training sessions will be documented and appear on OPEN’s Facebook Page and OPEN Forum (openforum.com). Content will also include how-to videos that answer small business owners’ questions on how to effectively market on the Facebook platform. In November 2010, American Express and Facebook teamed up for the first-ever Small Business Saturday (facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday) and offered free Facebook advertising to 10,000 business owners who signed up to participate.

About the Membership Rewards Program

The Membership Rewards program from American Express offers more than a million rewards from over 500 brands. The program allows Cardmembers to earn one point for virtually every dollar charged on eligible, enrolled American Express Cards, with many opportunities to earn points faster. Membership Rewards points are redeemable in a wide selection of reward categories. Points have no expiration date, and there is no limit on the number of points a Cardmember can earn. For more information about the Membership Rewards program, visit: membershiprewards.com or call 1-800-AXP-EARN begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-800-AXP-EARN      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (297-3276).

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

Contacts

American Express
Matthew Burton, 212-640-7527 
[email protected]

Facebook
Eric Edge
[email protected]