IM with FB Ads - FB Canvas?

A few years ago Business Insider famously published an article entitled "It's More Likely You Will Survive A Plane Crash Or Win The Lottery Than Click A Banner Ad." Their list of things you'd have a greater chance of doing:

• Winning a Mega Millions lottery prize
• Getting accepted to Harvard
• Completing Navy SEAL training
• Climbing Mt. Everest
• Surviving a plane crash

Why the contempt? Well, back then banner ads were fairly limited. They could only say so much and do so much. Advertisers were limited to :15 of motion and a hard KB limit. Jump ahead several years and not a lot has changed. While targeting has gotten more sophisticated, there's still not much opportunity for storytelling. Especially when you're dealing with a 320Ã--50 or 728Ã--90 ad unit.

There is, however, a new ad format on the scene: Facebook Canvas. It's the spiritual successor to Apple's interactive iAds and could revolutionize how we create online ads. If you're familiar with Facebook's instant articles, Canvas ads are the brand equivalent. The fast-loading units allow for the incorporation of video, GIFs, large photos and interactive functionality.....MORE...