Couponstar, the leading FMCG specialist digital coupon/voucher service provider, today announces the launch of Social Bricks - a suite of solutions enabling FMCG brands and retailers to securely distribute printable-coupons to consumers through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Using Social Bricks, FMCG brands can now, for the first time, offer their Facebook “followers” or “fans” the opportunity to print coupons which they subsequently redeem at major supermarkets and convenience stores. Social Bricks is powered by Couponstar’s industry leading secure coupon technology ensuring that brands can tap into the benefits of social media without fearing their offers will be distributed uncontrollably.

Oliver Felstead, sales & marketing director at Couponstar says: “We’ve seen a rise in brands setting up Fan Pages to engage with consumers through Facebook. With 1 in 4 consumers stating that coupons are the primary reason they become fans of FMCG brands on Facebook (Survey - Chadwick Martin Bailey, Jan 2010), the attraction for brands is obvious.

“In response to this trend and our client’s requests, we have extended the functionality of our industry leading printable-coupon platform to enable brands to cost-effectively and securely integrate coupons into their social media activities.”

A leading drinks brand has already used Social Bricks as an alternative to issuing product samples – the campaign generated a frenzy of interest and proved significantly more cost effective than physical sampling.

Couponstar has also recently worked with a major confectionary brand running a daily free product giveaway through Facebook, the giveaway - which was part of a global campaign - commenced at a different time each day and by using Couponstar to distribute the coupon, the brand was able to maintain control whilst leveraging the pull of the offer and consumer interest to build their fan base.