Online Photo Sharing: What does it mean for Advertisers?

Recently, Mashable and The New York Times featured articles on the growing trend of food photography. In a study conducted by 360i, 52% of people take photos with their mobile phones at least once a month; 19% of which are shared via the web. Interestingly, research shows that only 10% of the photos included people. The study also found that brands appeared in about 12% of the photos- an insignificant percentage in comparison to other online photo sharing.

So, what does this data mean?
Well, for starters: there’s a big opportunity for advertisers.

Here’s my prediction: Social Affiliate Networks will become huge players in the online advertising arena.

Why and how?
Facebook alone has 500 million users and counting- roughly 250 million log on every single day. As an advertiser, you simply have to find a way to get in front of that audience. Sure, you can purchase ad space- but what if you offered a small incentive to “Like” a brand? What if you offered a small incentive to “tag” a brand in a photo? Or, what about “posting” a comment about the brand? In other words, what if you could literally turn your current customers into your sales team?

Let’s use Starbucks as an example… (Coffee is something near and dear to my heart).
So, let’s pretend that over the next year I take pictures of myself (or friends, events, whatever it may be) at various locations all over the country with Starbucks in hand. Next, I share the photos via Facebook and maybe I include a few comments- whether it’s a review or just something random. My experience and personal review of the Starbucks brand has now been intimately shared amongst my closest friends, family, co-workers, etc. What would happen if Starbucks established a structured program to reward social sharing?

Let’s take it a step further- what if Starbucks established a program centered on the affiliate network model. Essentially, allowing users to setup a Facebook Store Page on their profile in which their friends can purchase coffee beans, espresso machines, mugs, etc. In exchange, Starbucks would pay users a commission- similar to any standard affiliate program.

What do you think? Why hasn’t this idea taken off yet?