Facebook, Samsung discussing collaboration

Facebook and Samsung Electronics are reportedly in official talks on strengthening their cooperation in mobile content to explore new mutual marketing opportunities, according to local news reports Wednesday. 

The discussions were a part of follow up talks initiated by Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg who was recently in Korea.

Among the ideas she is said to have exchanged with Samsung officials were ways to get more people to use Facebook on Samsung's smartphones, such as by providing a better user environment for the uploading and downloading of data. Samsung also reportedly is looking for ways to expand on Mobile Facebook.  

The COO's visit last week was only about two weeks after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg came to Korea to meet with a number of Samsung Electronics officials including mobile chief Shin Jong-kyun.

Sandberg, on the other hand, met mostly Samsung Electronics’ marketing executives, such as chief marketing officer Shim Soo-ok and Lee Don-joo, head of strategic marketing for the mobile business unit.

The Korea Herald had earlier reported that Zuckerberg would be seeking collaboration with Samsung. It also reported that Sandberg was here to follow up on the talks started between Zuckerberg and his Korean counterparts.

Sources earlier said Samsung may not want to get involved in Facebook for fear of breeding another “Google,” currently a key partner and rival.

They also speculated that Samsung probably refused to collaborate on a “Facebook-friendly” phone suggested by Zuckerberg, and instead chose to work toward mobile cooperation.

Facebook is reportedly desperate to seek out new business partners due to dwindling ad revenue, and has been seeking a way to rebuild its name as its value in the social networking market has slightly declined, industry watchers said.

By Kim Ji-hyun  (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)