Heinz is leading the way in combining social media and sales

As we've discussed many, many times in this blog, social media is here to stay, so why not use it to your advantage? As a business owner, connect with your customers and get more involved in that bond. Market your products, your business, and yourself via Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.

Earlier this year, Heinz set some new Facebook records in the UK. To launch their new balsamic ketchup, Heinz decided to use Facebook (with 45,000 UK fans) as their exclusive launch pad. This was the first time a food product has been exclusively launched via Facebook and the first time branded food products have been sold via Facebook.


Heinz will be doing the same thing here in the USA, but only to a much larger crowd (Heinz's USA Facebook page has over 852,000 fans). Starting November 14th, Heinz will launch it's balsamic ketchup via it's Facebook page. This will be the only place to buy it until it reaches stores in late December.

To read more about balsamic ketchup, please visit the Supermarket Guru.

As an ag business owner, what are your thoughts on launching a product exclusively through Facebook (or any other social media)? Would you try it? As a consumer, do you feel a certain "exclusivity" by only being able to buy this ketchup via Facebook? Do you think Heinz's marketing is innovative?