There’s been some talk about this for a while as the way forward for the Web 2.0 browser Flock’s business model, and today we saw the first evidence of the strategy. Techcrunch is reporting that Flock has partnered with Photobucket to produce a photobucket branded version of the browser. Flock is in a great position to do this, with features including easy integration with online photo hosting with blogging platforms (crucially including MySpace) so that pictures can automatically be inserted.

In this version all Flock have done is kick out the Flickr functionality, and presumably stick the Photobucket logo in a few prominent places.

As Pete Cashmore points out, whilst Flock is clearly a niche offering at the moment such branding deals could allow it to expand, benefiting it through both increased exposure (it is effectively getting free advertising from partner companies) and the likely revenue sharing deals.