I love Facebook. I love social networking. I love the way that many brands are adopting Facebook to connect directly to their customers.

But I do hate it when many brands are providing offers that are US centric even if they are a global brand.

Take for example Estee Lauder who I read about last week. They have a Facebook page with over 27,700 fans and I am sure those fans are from across the globe. They have realised that on Facebook we all have a profile photo so they are offering an opportunity for people to have a free makeover and a photoshoot.

The promotion, which starts on October 16 at Bloomingdale’s in New York and will extend initially to Macy’s, Saks and other Bloomingdale’s stores in Southern California, Miami and Chicago, also includes a giveaway of a 10-day supply of foundation. Let’s hope that their initial trial will run internationally.

With a target age of 35 to 55, Estee Lauder is trying to reach out to a younger age group and also recognises that many people aged 35 and over are using social media. And while no purchase is necessary, Estee Lauder has the opportunity to have their employees connect to consumers directly through the free make-over.

The Estee Lauder brand will be the back drop for the photo shoot, so unless you photoshop out the logo, they are hoping their brand will increase in visibility online. Read more about the Estee Lauder promotion here on Adage.

It’s a great idea though I am not so sure that I would want to be endorsing Estee Lauder through every profile photo I use on my social networking pages.

Alternatively and thankfully, if you are in Ireland, you don’t have to miss out on an opportunity to get a great photo taken for your Facebook profile. Award winning photographers Photogenic Photographers are offering people the opportunity to have their portrait photo taken by on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2009 in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation. This is part of a weekend of activities running in Dundrum Town Centre as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

As long as you are over 18 years of age, Photogenic Photographers are offering you the opportunity to have a new profile photograph taken.

The photo shoot takes place at Dundrum Town Centre – there is a nominal fee of €20 (100% of this will go directly to the Marie Keating Foundation).

Find out more about the Photogenic Photographers Be Facebook Fabulous event here.

What are your favourite examples of brands are offering value to their customers yet at the same time building their visibility through Facebook?

Disclosure: Photogenic Photographers are our family photographers and one of their directors and family friend invited me to their event.