Abstract: A method of determining a commission comprises providing a plurality of selectable variables. The plurality of variables are associated with an asset. A commission associated with a sale of the asset based at least partially on a selection of at least one variable from the plurality of variables is calculated. Calculating the commission includes assigning a value to each variable selected from the plurality of variables.

Abstract: A computing system for encouraging the performance of a task comprises association data, a proxy module, a display module, and a reward module. The association data associates tags with stimuli related to performing tasks. The proxy module is configured to receive encoded data, to identify tags in the encoded data that have associated stimuli in the association data, and to generate modified encoded data that includes data representative of at least one of the stimuli. The display module is configured to receive the modified encoded data, to display information based at least in part on the modified encoded data, and to provide at least one mechanism for a user to perform a task related to at least one of the stimuli. The reward module is configured to reward a user for performing tasks related to the stimuli.

Abstract: A method and apparatus and format and and form are provided for preparing ad-books or related print or publishing for an organization or organizations or a plethora of organizations over a communications network. The method includes preparing an ads or messages at a user terminal connected to the communications network. The method further includes processing the “ad” or message at a server connected to the communications network for placing the “ad” or message in an “ad-book” or printing or other publication. The method further includes an automated “ad-book” format or form for the soliciting and obtaining ads or messages which provides methods for collecting ad/message pricing, content, layout, billing and information for ad/message for “ad-book” and related printing or publishing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing print advertisements is presented. A target audience is assembled from characteristics about readers. Advertising content is targeted to the target audience. The characteristics of the target audience are analyzed against the advertising content to identify potential advertisers. At least one of the potential advertisers is selected. At least one print advertisement for the selected advertiser is included on the document.

Abstract: A method of advertising is disclosed and includes monitoring the location of one or more portable communication devices in communication with a data network as the one or more portable communication devices travel within a user vehicle along a freeway. The method further includes determining whether the one or more portable communication devices are within a predetermined range of a freeway exit. Additionally, the method includes determining one or more types of media files supported by the one or more portable communication devices and transmitting one or more advertisements to the one or more portable communication devices. The advertisement is delivered in a format based on the determined one or more types of media files supported by the one or more portable communication devices.

Abstract: The new system and method for performing personalized interactive automated electronic marketing of the marketing service provider being utilized by product vendors and end users. A business-to-business subscription system between the marketing service provider and a plurality of product vendors is established. This system integrates the conventional media, e.g. TV, radio and newspapers, the modern information society tools, e.g. mobile phone technology, personal computers and Internet. Product vendors are now provided with a powerful and effective marketing tool, while end users are provided with personalized desired data acquisition and the tool for purchasing on the safe and timely manner. The new system improves the commercial request response rate by simultaneously avoiding the sales leads' losses and transforming the cold sales leads into the hot sales leads. It ultimately results in that AIDA cycle of the end user with regard to the product will become substantially shortened.

Abstract: A computer system receives customer reviews for a subject, for example, a product, service, or market participant. Each review includes a rating of the subject and a comment about the subject. The rating may be favorable, unfavorable, or intermediate. The system sorts the reviews in a default order, for example, chronologically, and displays the reviews in the default order on a first webpage. The first webpage includes an input for requesting a non-default order of the reviews, for example, in accordance with the ratings of the reviews. The system sorts the reviews in the non-default order, and, when a user activates the input to request the reviews in the non-default order, displays a second webpage with the reviews in the non-default order. The non-default order may require all reviews with less than favorable ratings to be placed ahead of all reviews with favorable ratings. The system may be Internet-based.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes providing an offer to a connector. The method also includes receiving responses from users to the offer, the users having received the offer from the connector. The method further includes completing the transaction with the users. In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a set of profiles of users. The apparatus further includes a database of connectors, connectors of the database selected from the users based on the profiles associated with the users. The apparatus also includes an interface between vendors and the database. The interface is to receive queries from the vendors and to return connector identities responsive to the queries. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a machine-readable medium embodying instructions. The instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method. The method includes providing an offer to a connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for aggregating advertising pricing data and providing that data to one or more clients. This data may be provided to the client in the form of various reports that allow a client to gauge the advertisement market more accurately and make a better informed decision when deciding to purchase advertisements. In one embodiment, a client is also able to access forecasting reports that predict the future of the advertisement market so that the client can more accurately make a decision about purchasing advertisement slots in advance.

Abstract: The embodiments provide methods of selecting relevant advertisement to target users by utilizing the knowledge of friends or acquaintance of the target users. The target users and friends or acquaintances of the target users belong to the same on-line communities, groups, or circles. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for providing advertising content for display in a personal media space of an Internet networking tool of a user is provided. The method includes defining the personal media space in a display region of a graphical user interface window. The personal media space being controlled by the user in terms of content. The method also includes selecting an advertisement content unit to be added to the personal media space for display by the user. The method further includes establishing a communication session between the user and another user. The communication session includes an interaction space for enabling communication between the user and the other user.

Abstract: A hierarchical category system for organizing and displaying electronic advertisements is disclosed. Each electronic advertisement is assigned one or more categories from a hierarchical categorization system. Similarly, each available advertisement placement location is also provided with a category from the hierarchical categorization, system. Then, when displaying advertisements, the system attempts to locate advertisements that have matching categorizations. When no matching advertisement with an exact matching categorization can be found, the system will attempt to locate an advertisement from a more specific (child) category that is a sub category of the current category. However, the advertisement from the more specific (child) category must specify the broader category within its own allowable fall-back path.

Abstract: A method to promote use of one communication service by associating it with another service and offering incentives to use the first service in return for use of the second service. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A database system and method for ordering marketing events for offering to a candidate. The database system comprises a database manager software application, a first database structure storing a first list identifying marketing events, and a second database structure storing a second list of candidates. The database manager software application is stored on a computer readable medium. The database manager software application comprises an optimization tool. Each marketing event from the first list comprises a marketing offer and an identified channel means for communicating the marketing offer. The optimization tool is for optimizing and sorting, the marketing events from the first list for a first candidate from said second list.

Abstract: Seed keywords are leveraged to provide expanded keywords that are then associated with relevant advertisers. Instances can also include locating potential advertisers based on the expanded keywords. Inverse lookup techniques are employed to determine which keywords are associated with an advertiser. Filtering can then be employed to eliminate inappropriate keywords for that advertiser. The keywords are then automatically revealed to the advertiser for consideration as relevant search terms for their advertisements. In this manner, revenue for a search engine and/or for an advertiser can be substantially enhanced through the automatic expansion of relevant search terms. Advertisers also benefit by having larger and more relevant search term selections automatically available to them, saving them both time and money.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates employing an online auction in which a coupon is fairly administered. An online auction environment that can employ an auction to identify a fair market value of at least one of a good or a portion of a service, wherein the auction can receive at least one bid from a bidder with a coupon and a bidder without a coupon. A randomizer component that can select one of a collection of bidders having coupons or a collection of bidders not having coupons based on a randomizing technique, wherein the online auction environment can identify an auction winner as a highest bidder within the selected collection, the highest bidder provides a highest bid from both the collection of bidders having coupons and the collection of bidders not having coupons.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing and sequencing marketing events for offering to candidates. The system comprises a software application stored on a computer readable medium. The software application comprises an optimization tool and a timing tool. The optimization tool optimizes marketing events from a first list for candidates from a second list. Each marketing event from the first list comprises a marketing offer and an identified channel means for communicating the marketing offer. The timing tool determines an optimal sequence for offering each of the optimized marketing events to the candidates.

Abstract: A method of advertising is disclosed an includes monitoring at least one Wi-Fi access point of a Wi-Fi network. Also, the method includes identifying at least one Wi-Fi device after the at least one Wi-Fi device associates with the Wi-Fi access point and determining at least one type of media file that is supported by the Wi-Fi device. Further, the method includes transmitting at least one advertisement to the device that is specific to the location of the Wi-Fi access point. The advertisement is transmitted in a format that corresponds to the at least one type of media file supported by the Wi-Fi device.

Abstract: A system and method for centralizing the creation, approval, monitoring and managing of a plurality of incentive reward or spiff programs. The system preferably includes a host system that allows program managers, an administrator and participants to access the system in connection with spiff programs. The system also may monitor and report on the effectiveness of the spiff programs to permit the program manager to increase its return on investment. Once a spiff program is approved, registered participants are automatically enrolled in the program. Upon the entering or receipt of sales information, the system automatically begins the claims process for all eligible products. Centralizing the available spiff programs allows the participants to combine rewards and simplifies tax issues. The users may also view various reports on the spiff programs and directly communicate with one another.

Abstract: A system and method for providing online incentive programs that allows participants in the programs to access hierarchical reports detailing the current status of the incentive programs. The incentive programs include means to restrict access to the various hierarchical reports to prevent the different levels of management from accessing information relating to higher levels of management. Participants may therefore monitor their performance, as well as the performance of those individuals who are under their control.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products target specific consumers for a marketing campaign of goods and/or services by: (a) defining a multi-factorial mathematical model of defined parameters; (b) calculating a numerical value using the multi-factorial mathematical model for respective consumers; then (c) ranking the consumers based on the calculated value associated with the model.