Abstract: The invention disclosed herein pertains generally to a method and apparatus for controlling the distribution and display of advertisements and other short messages via a network. It applies more particularly to a system for displaying advertisements to passengers in elevators and similar conveyances, wherein the ultimate source of the messages is remote to the elevator and the messages are conveyed thereto over a computer network. Additionally, it pertains to a system for distributing ads to remote locations for display and retrieving back information from the remote locations relative to the ads displayed. It also pertains to a self-monitoring ad distribution network, wherein equipment failures are automatically reported to a central site.