Some of Facebook's fastest growth this past year has come in European countries. Our roster of active users now includes many millions of people in Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Germany—and in fact all 45 countries of Europe.

We've been building Facebook's physical presence in Europe as well, adding people to our London office all year and announcing in October that we will open our European operations headquarters in Dublin.

Today, I'm happy to announce our first employee in France, Damien Vincent. Over the next few months, Damien will be building a sales team in Paris in recognition of the increasing desire by companies in France and nearby countries to make advertising on Facebook a part of their growth strategy. Companies such as Peugeot and Dell already have Facebook ad campaigns running in France, helping people discover new products, explore ideas and share with their friends.

While Facebook en Francais has its own flavor, we also embody the global connectedness of Facebook. Our average French user has 72 friends, of which more than a dozen live in other European countries, the United States or additional international locations. We feel more closely connected to friends all over the world because of Facebook.


Blake Chandlee, Facebook's Commercial Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, can't wait to meet more annonceurs.