Sticker packs for messaging has just invaded Facebook and rightfully so, their first set is based on the upcoming movie Despicable Me 2. Universal Studios did not pay for the characters to appear on the social networking website. Likewise, the pack can be downloaded for free. Depending on the reception of this new feature, Facebook can make huge amounts of money from entities who would like their brand go viral.

Sticker packs might have taken inspiration from talking smileys or emoticons that were used in chat programs like Yahoo! Messenger. Indeed, they help express thoughts in creative and accurate fashion which is better than the usual text messages. Since it brings emotion to the message, this can be an attractive option for companies that would like to embark on a successful social media campaign.

Communication through pictures has been the trend nowadays thanks to applications such as Instagram and SnapChat. Since Facebook has an extensive reach worldwide, this can serve as an advertising billboard that can bring a high recall rate. This is then the time that the dollars start to come in from potential and existing sponsors.

Just through selling sticker packs, Line earned close to $18 million in just the first quarter of 2013. With Facebook, the revenue can be several times higher once they capitalised on this proposal. Yet, they made all 15 sticker pack sets available for the website and their messenger on iOS and Android. What's also peculiar is that even CEO Mark Zuckerberg's dog, Beast, has its own pack.

The new sticker packs can encourage Facebook users to use their tools for communication more often. Otherwise, they could try other means such as Skype or Google Hangouts. With this new feature, people can further express what they feel though they are not physically there. Charging for the use of these stickers can drive users away.

But for those that would like to gain an edge, the high volume of users that Facebook possess can entice them to pay for sponsored stickers. It will be good advertising because they can be used by everyone and they are sent in an intimate way. This will be a great boost for their branding because their product remains relevant.

However, this strategy will work best for companies that have mascots or are into animation. It would be hard to imagine for a car company to have expressive stickers while using cars as characters. Thus, it is no wonder the Despicable Me set is effective by all means. Sticker packs could be the best thing that happened to Facebook lately. Funny isn't it that cute monsters are the key for the company to revitalize its revenue schemes.