Bre.ad makes it easier for users to share ideas, brands and other items online. The user can create a profile and add any link they want to their Bre.ad profile. This is done by adding “Bre.ad/” to the beginning of any URL. The application provides the user with a shortened Bre.ad URL that can be passed on to others. Users can also add a short message or comment to go with the item they are sharing. When others click on the Bre.ad link for the item, they are presented with the user’s billboard which includes their comment, profile name and image as well as an image for the item (this is called a toast). The toast is displayed for five seconds before the user is taken to the linked website. Using Bre.ad, users can send a personalized ‘slice’ of something they feel is worthy of sharing.

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Bre.ad was founded in January of 2011. The application is intended to give users a customized personal billboard to share brands and interests with others. Users can easily post their Bre.ad links to Twitter and Facebook so others can quickly access them. The current Bre.ad team includes Chief Baker Alan Chan and CTO Terry Li.

Sharing and shortening links is something that can be done in many places on the web. What makes Bre.ad appealing to some users is the billboard, or toast, feature. The user can add a comment and create their personalized billboard, which is presented for five seconds before the visitor is sent to the actual URL.

The Bre.ad website has a very lighthearted appearance that gives it a unique personality. The background consists of primarily blue and green hues which appear in a scene. A road passes under the login and video area with a blue truck (decorated in the site’s logo). The truck passes a diner, picnic tables and a beach scene complete with a boat, fish and billboard. The user’s billboard can be personalized based on their preferences or the theme of the item they are sharing.

New users can sign up for Bre.ad through Facebook or by creating a separate account. Those with a Facebook profile can click the large, blue and white “Connect with Facebook” button found to the right of the video on the homepage. Those who prefer to create a separate account can click the blue “Sign Up Without Facebook” link just below the button. Doing so takes the user to the short registration form. The form requires a name, email address and password. A check box at the bottom is automatically selected to sign the user up for Bre.ad news and announcements. This must be unchecked to opt out of email updates.

Bre.ad is available to all users for free. In reality, the site would be hard pressed to charge for what it does. Some users may enjoy creating toasts and sharing links through Bre.ad, but this is something that can be done without the application. Overall, the price is right for the service provided.

Bre.ad is a tool for users who enjoy sharing links on Facebook. The application adds a little more detail and personalization to the links the user shares. Although Bre.ad’s service is simple, some users may prefer it to simply posting a link on their social networking profile.

• Connect and log in through Facebook
• Build your own billboard with an image and comment
• Automatically shorten links with Bre.ad
• Post your Bre.ad billboard on your social networking profiles
• Share as many links as you want

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