Abstract: The system to facilitate purchase and dispense fuel from a dispensing site using a mobile device employs a site connector computer that administers a site database and provides a secure connection to the point-of-sale system. The site database stores site-specific information about the dispensing site including the site location and pump identifying information from which the number of pumps at the dispensing site may be ascertained. A mobile app server communicates with the mobile device and issues queries to the site database to obtain the pump identifying information. The mobile app server communicates the pump identifying information to the mobile device for use in making a pump selection. After pump selection by the user, the mobile app server issues a fuel purchase instruction that includes the pump selection identifier to a financial processing computer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for web page optimization. In accordance with one implementation, a system for web page optimization is provided, wherein the system comprises a computing device configured to provide at least one of user data, content categories, and page performance metrics, and receive, from the module server, a bid to include at least one proposed module on a page, the bid including an impact score of the at least one proposed module based on the page performance metrics. The system also includes a feedback component configured to provide performance feedback indicative of how the page performed based in part on the page performance metrics, and a page assembler coupled configured to select for display on the page a module combination comprising the at least one proposed module, wherein the module combination is selected based in part on the impact score and the performance feedback.

Abstract: A localization control method of a sound for a portable device and a portable device thereof is provided. The localization control method of a sound for a portable device includes collecting location information of the portable device and location information of a counterpart portable device when an event for communicating with the counterpart portable device by the portable device is generated, determining localization of the sound based on the location information, and outputting the sound according to the determined localization.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for light-based communication. One representative embodiment includes: messaging units disposed at different locations within a space, each including at least one light source (e.g., light-emitting diode or LED); at least one messaging/modulation controller coupled to the light sources and configured to turn the light sources on and off so as to broadcast input digital messages; a central server coupled to the messaging/modulation controller(s) and configured to selectively provide messages to the messaging/modulation controller(s) for broadcast by different messaging units; and an associate device coupled to the central server and configured to: (a) display a user interface for manually inputting information about individuals within the space and (b) provide such information to the central server, where the central server selects messages to be broadcast by the messaging units based on the information received from the associate device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a mobile client device for providing real-time manufacturer-based financing. In one embodiment, the mobile device is configured to receive a product code associated with a manufacturer product offered for sale at a merchant location. The mobile device may further provide the product code to a financial service provider system configured to create a manufacturer-based financial service account associated with the product manufacturer. Further, the mobile device may provide, to the financial service provider system, information associated with a received account application, where the financial service provider system may create the manufacturer-based financial service account based on the received information and the product code. The mobile device may also receive a purchase code for purchasing the product using the manufacturer-based financial service account, provide it at the merchant POS location, and receive a confirmation of product purchase.

Abstract: Foreclosure auction information received from each of a plurality of sources of such information via respective Internet bots, manual updates, or other sources, is used to populate a database according to a predefined schema and ruleset. The database is updated in near real time (from any or all of the datasources), and actionable auction information that meets user-determined criteria for accuracy, timeliness and/or relevancy is extracted from the database and presented for use by a user.

Abstract: A financial institution can provide a best price guarantee to debit or credit card account holders. By providing a consolidated system including automatic price monitoring of purchased products and automatic claim form generation upon identifying a lower price, the consumer is relieved of the burden typically associated with conventional price matching.

Abstract: A system and method for queuing players of casino games for rebates is provided. The rebate queuing system of the present invention caches game play data received from electronic game tables, electronic gaming machines, and online casinos in a game server and generates invoices, each of which associates with a gaming transaction of an identified player. The invoices are sent to a rebate queue management server to be processed and queued for rebate credits. Enqueuing credits are determined based on the information extracted from the invoices, and are divided into a plurality of values according to the decimal number system. Based on the divided values, a new queue number is added to each of the corresponding rebate queues. When a queue number becomes the current rebate number of a rebate queue, the player associated with the queue number receives a corresponding amount of rebate credits.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method to compute and distribute rebates during various business transactions. The system comprises a transaction end, a transaction itemization end, a user end, a data processing end, a coefficient set up end, a rebate division end, a rebate settlement end, and a payout. Rebates can take the form of direct rebate, queued rebate, or reserved rebate. A novel computing method is provided to bring various type or scale of business transactions onto a centralized platform, and redistribute rebates in a timely window.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a rebate for a purchase, the method including collecting, in a database of a rebate server, personal data and transaction history regarding a personal subscriber, receiving rebate parameters from a business subscriber in a database of the rebate server, calculating a personal rebate for a new transaction based on the subscriber data and the rebate parameters for the subscriber and, upon receipt of payment for the new transaction, providing the personal rebate to the subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method to modulate rebate redemption using prior consumer practices to build action lists to increase rebate redemption rates. The rebate redemption program is embodied in a web-based computer program product for execution on an instruction processing system, made of a tangible storage medium readable by the instruction processing system and storing instructions for execution by the instruction processing system for performing, the method including the steps of filtering a plurality of data responses by program participants to define a plurality of program participating populations and providing each set of program participant populations with a rebate redemption plan and receiving rebate redemption forms, based on an action list provided to each group of program participants, wherein the program participating populations and rebate redemption plans are derived from surveying utility customers and the segmentation and predictive modeling system.

Abstract: A system for distributing promotional certificates includes a system server and a user device. The system server has a processor and a memory. The memory is in communication with the processor and has at least one database embodied thereon. The database defines a plurality of users, a plurality of participating businesses, and a plurality of promotional certificates associated with the participating businesses. The processor is configured to associate in the memory each of the users with either an individual one of the participating businesses or a provider of the system server. The user device is associated with one of the users, and is in communication with the system server. The user device has a software application that is configured to present the promotional certificates for redemption at the participating businesses.

Abstract: A system makes payments from each payer of a community of payers to each vendor of a community of vendors, assesses a variable transaction fee to each vendor, and provides a variable rebate to the payer. The transaction fee is referred to as “variable” because: i) it may be varied amongst vendors (the same payer may use different rates for different vendors); and ii) the rate may be varied amongst payers (the same vendor may be subjected to different rates, based on the particular payer making the payment). The transaction fee may be charged to the vendor by deduction from the payment. Alternatively the transaction fee may be charged to the vendor by deduction from the vendor's account at the time payment is made. The variable rebate is based on the total transaction fee applicable to payments made by the payer over a predetermined period of time. The rebate may be the product of the total transaction fee multiplied by a rebate percentage.

Abstract: Techniques are provided in which the current price of a commodity purchased from a seller by a buyer with a price guarantee policy is monitored. Upon detection of the current price dropping below the purchase price, the buyer and seller are notified, leading to a rebate being provided to the buyer from the seller to be redeemed based on the terms of the price guarantee policy. In some embodiments, buyers are offered incentives, such as a discounted price, in exchange for a reduced time period within which a price guarantee policy is redeemable.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of a first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item-by-item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a product management service including a point of sale module configured to receive from a point of sale terminal, over a network, product and consumer information as part of a sale of a product described by the product information; associate the consumer information with a consumer account; and update the consumer account with the product information; and a warranty registration module configured to send a portion of the product information and a portion of the customer information to a warranty registration service responsive to updating the consumer account with the product information to register the product described by the product information.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the administration of rebates in different geographic locations and optimization of rebate processing. In an embodiment, a rebate processing device can detect a location of a consumer, and based on the location generate a rebate form in a language which corresponds to the location or preference of the consumer. The generated rebate form can include a mailing address to mail the form for processing, which may based on the location of the consumer and a rebate identifier to identify the rebate to transact. A rebate center device can receive completed rebate forms, extract rebate identifiers from the completed rebate forms, and send the extracted rebate identifiers to the rebate processing device to expedite processing. Rebate processing device can verify the rebate identifiers are not fraudulent and generate a payment for the validated rebate identifiers based on the location of the consumer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A return transaction record and updated record may be generated in response to the assigning of credits, the updated record listing as a purchase price the original price for each item less a credit assigned for that item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A portion of the credit may be donated to a donee. Third party donations associated with a product purchased in a transaction may also be assigned to a donee.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for selling advertising space for display of advertising on a website. A data broker, who controls a website, obtains information from customers, the information including identifying data, behavioral data, and demographic data concerning the customers. The data broker also obtains permission from the customers to provide this information to advertisers on the website and to track purchases made after receiving the advertising. The data broker then sells advertising space to advertisers and provides the advertisers with access to the customers' information. When the customers make purchases from the advertisers that can be attributed to the advertising, the data broker collects a payment from the advertisers and returns a portion of the payment to the customers. The customers benefit from this arrangement by receiving something in return for their purchases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing digital incentives or financial offsets including the steps of: providing a financial platform operable on a server computer and at least one database in electronic, digital communication over a network, the financial platform operable for financial services transactions; providing a database of profile data for the at least one user; developing a digital incentive program for stimulating financial transactions by at least one user, the digital incentive program including profile factors from the profile data of the at least one user; automatically providing at least one digital incentive to corresponding of the at least one user, the at least one digital incentive available for a redemption by each of the users, wherein the digital incentive has an electronic financial transaction value available for the redemption on any electronic financial transaction media, and wherein the redemption of the electronic financial transaction value of the digital incentive does not occur at

Abstract: A rebate fulfillment request may be obtained from a user. A determination may be made that an offer associated with the rebate fulfillment request is unlocked for the user. Data may be validated to ensure that offer terms associated with the offer are satisfied. A rebate associated with the rebate fulfillment request may be approved and rebate fulfillment for the rebate may be facilitated.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer of a merchant queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of the first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item by item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: A technique for administering a rebate program includes logic for generating rebate information based the purchase of goods and/or services using a card instrument. The technique further includes logic for applying a rebate, based on the rebate information, to fund at least part of a transaction performed by an brokerage service. In one embodiment, the brokerage service charges a fee to perform the transaction. In this case, the rebate is used to fund at least part of the transaction fee. The rebate therefore entitles the cardholder to perform a transaction free of charge. The rebate thus is converted to one or more “free transactions,” and in a more specific application, one or more “free trades.

Abstract: A system to provide price adjustments based on indicated product interest includes reception of an indication from a customer of interest in a first product, reception of an indication from a customer of interest in a second product, determination of a price adjustment for the second product based on the indication of interest in the first product, and transmission of the price adjustment to the customer. By virtue of the foregoing features, a retailer may be willing to provide a price adjustment for the second product which would otherwise not be provided. Moreover, such a price adjustment may incent the customer to purchase the second product in a case that the second product would not otherwise be purchased, thereby potentially increasing a total profit received by the retailer.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is received, and a second performance target for the financial account is determined based on the transaction data.

Abstract: A rebate queue management system comprises a seller end, a buyer end, a payment module end, a transaction extraction unit, a discount extraction unit, a rebate calculation unit, a sorting unit coupled to the rebate calculation unit, a queue unit coupled to the sorting unit, and a rebate unit coupled to the queue unit. Once the queue number in a currency subunit queue accumulates to n times of the cycle number of the queue, the system releases one rebate to the buyer of the transaction associated with the nth queue number, wherein n is a natural number. A method for managing rebate queues is also provided.

Abstract: A user is issued a special credit card by a credit card company or the like. Participating merchants offer discounts on transactions completed using the special credit card; those discounts are not available for transactions involving other credit cards. The transaction history for the special credit card is monitored and, once a condition is satisfied, a rebate is provided by the credit card company. The rebate is not provided to the credit card user. Instead, the rebate is provided to a non-profit service organization that, in turn, administers distribution of the rebate to a non-profit or charitable organization specified by the credit card user. For example, a user can designate a specific school (e.g., the local elementary school) to receive the rebate.

Abstract: An advertising attribution system determines an attribution value for a set of advertising modalities associated with a conversion event. The modalities each provided an advertisement to a user who performed the conversion event. A conversion value associated with each of a plurality of modality subsets is determined representing the value to the advertiser of providing advertisements by the modalities in each modality subset. Based on the conversion value of each modality subset, a marginal value for each modality is determined for the set of modalities associated with the conversion event.

Abstract: A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.

Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods, and systems for a Composite Content Generator. The disclosure teaches a Composite Content Generator, which provides a straightforward, unified, and transparent interface that presents users with the ability to customize publication purchases. Buyers of content may desire to customize their purchases in order to acquire certain sections of a work (e.g., select chapters from a travel book, select recipes from a cook book, choose certain subjects out of reference or medical journals, and specific sections of a periodical). In one embodiment, the Composite Content Generator allows buyers to view, select, and purchase portions of various works (e.g., such as books, periodicals, reference materials, and/or the like) and receive fulfillment of their purchase as a customized and modular composite publication.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the disclosure allow user from various countries to take advantage of offers when they are traveling internationally. Once the purchase associated with the offer is made, the transaction information may be processed by the system, such that, the credit and debit associated with the purchase are transmitted to the transaction account and the merchant. The transaction information may be further processed to determine whether the particular transaction is eligible for a reward. Where the transaction is eligible for a reward, the credit and debit associated with reward are transmitted to the transaction account and the sponsoring entity. The reward may be provided in any suitable currency or in various currencies based on the parameters governing the reward offer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for initiating presentation of a rebate associated with a transaction. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: determine a user executed a first transaction qualifying for a first offer; determine a first rebate associated with the first transaction; apply the first rebate to the user's account; initiate presentation of the first rebate on a user interface; determine the user executed a second transaction qualifying for a second offer; determine a second rebate associated with the second transaction, wherein the second rebate is not applied to the user's account; and initiate presentation of the second rebate on the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a trade fee charged by a trading venue to a market participant, or a rebate credited by a trading venue to a market participant are disclosed. The method may include a computer accessing and storing one or more order information parameters in memory, as well as accessing and storing one or more of market characteristics in memory. The method may further include calculating a trade fee or rebate that is based on at least one of the order information parameters and at least one of the market characteristics stored in memory. A system may include a memory containing instructions for calculating a trade fee or rebate and a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to execute the instructions according to the method set out above.

Abstract: Virtual mobile rewards, gift cards, and/or physical world retailers' loyalty and reward programs are aggregated into a common account accessible and transactional from an Internet capable mobile radio device. Subscribers gain access to discounted codes, coupons, rebates, gift cards, and/or limited time offers, on their mobile device for food, travel, lifestyle, electronics, and entertainment products that fit their lifestyle spending habits, enabling users to edit participating retailers, manage separate account balances, and present preferred discounted offers at retailers and apply discount towards purchase of goods.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor (e.g., a subsidizing vendor). The offer may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for an item purchased from a first vendor and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. The customer is charged a second price for the items, which is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selling a combination of travel tickets and consumer items to customers and, in particular, for selling international travel tickets and duty free items to international travelers. By acquiring surplus international travel tickets in bulk at discounted prices and by selling the duty free items in a way which avoids the overhead typically associated with such sales, the selling merchant is able to offer the combination of an international travel ticket and a duty free item to a consumer at a price below what the consumer would pay if the consumer separately acquired the ticket and duty free item from third parties. In one implementation, the selling merchant offers the consumer a free duty free item upon purchase of an international travel ticket, or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, both the consumer and the selling merchant employ computers communicating over a computer network to carry out the inventive method.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system and methods that provides computer-aided discovery, collection, storage, organization, tracking, monitoring, notification, integration, presentation, analysis, and augmentation or otherwise processing of Rebate Marketing Promotion information. Additionally, the system and methods provides a means for computers to communicate over a network with other computers to process Rebate Marketing Promotion information, by means of discovery, collection, organization, storing, augmenting, presentation of promotion information stored in a database, presentation of the promotional information to consumers, organizations, and third-parties, allow tracking, notification, and monitoring of promotional information to alert consumers, organizations, and third-parties to changes of the database, analysis of the database to provide additional information about or relating to usage of the database.

Abstract: A method for comparing pricing of selected products over a certain period of time is disclosed. The method may begin with completing, by a computer system, a plurality of transactions between a first business and a particular customer. The plurality of transactions may comprise the purchase, by the particular customer, of a plurality of goods from the first business. The method may further including recording, by the computer system, an actual cost charged the particular customer for the plurality of goods. The computer system may also calculate a first hypothetical cost reflecting what the particular customer would have been charged for the plurality of goods had the plurality of goods been purchased from a second business. Accordingly, the computer system may generate a comparison between the actual cost and the first hypothetical cost and present the comparison to the particular customer.

Abstract: A method for managing rewards programs is disclosed. The method includes reviewing a plurality of offers from a plurality of merchants on a host site via the Internet. The offers are associated with rewards to consumers after the consumers use their portable consumer devices. An offer from the plurality of offers is selected and a customized offer element including the offer and an identifier of an issuer that selected the offer is generated.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media are provided for inducing customer loyalty that are configured to: identify a loyalty account associated with a consumer, wherein the loyalty account is part of as loyalty program established by a retailer, create a monetary account linked to the consumer's loyalty account, designate an amount of change from a cash transaction at the retailer to be deposited into the monetary account, deposit the amount of change into the monetary account by adding the designated amount of change to an existing balance of the monetary account to create a new balance, determine if the consumer is entitled to a reward based on the depositing of the designated amount of change into the monetary account and at least one threshold; and display to the consumer the outcome of the determining.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for rebate calculation relating to a partner incentive program. The method and system includes electronically defining the incentive program within a computer processing system and defining one or more tracks within the program. The method and system further includes electronically selecting one or more incentives within the one or more tracks and generating a plurality of incentive data defining a plurality of incentive scenarios based on the one or more incentives. The method and system includes loading the incentive data to a spreadsheet application, wherein the spreadsheet application includes a computational algorithm and performing at least one scenario calculation on the incentive data using the computational algorithm, including generating incentive rebate data. Whereby, the method and system is operative to generate a visual output display quantifying the incentive rebate data.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a merchant loyalty program is disclosed. The invention includes receiving purchase data, wherein the purchase data comprises a consumer account code, a purchase amount, and a service establishment code; associating the service establishment code with a merchant proprietor rewards account code; calculating a reward amount based on the purchase amount; and, crediting a merchant proprietor reward account with at least a portion of said reward amount.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a rebate sponsor's offer into an instant credit or price reduction against a follow-on purchase. Rebate requests are obtained at a site on the Internet. The rebate request is tested to confirm that the at least one predetermined criterion has been satisfied. The person making the rebate request is enabled to make the follow-on purchase, with the rebate being converted into the instant credit or price reduction against the total price of the follow-on purchase. The follow-on purchase transaction is completed by charging that person for the purchase. The credit or price reduction can be conditioned on at least one predetermined criterion such as amount being spent on the follow-on purchase, the vendor from which the follow-on purchase is being made, and other criteria. The credit or price reduction can be redeemed in parts across a series of follow-on purchase transactions. In another aspect of the invention, consumers are advised of rebate offers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for a rebate request. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a rebate request; and process the readable indicia to issue a rebate associated with a rebate request, wherein the rebate comprises issuance of a credit associated with a purchase previously made from the merchant.

Abstract: A computer implemented system for sustaining healthcare consumerism. The computer implemented system comprises a database, wherein the database contains pricing information for a medical service, a reference price for the medical service, an application configured to determine the reference price for the medical service, and an incentive engine configured to incentivize a policy holder to obtain the medical service at a price lower than the reference price for the medical service.

Abstract: An escrow accommodation system is provided, including a first escrow client subsystem disposed in a first location, said first escrow client subsystem including first software and a first communication device comprising a first camera configured to be operated with the first software to facilitate an online videoconference meeting regarding an escrow, and a second escrow client subsystem disposed in a second location, said second escrow client subsystem including second software and a second communication device comprising a second camera configured to facilitate the online videoconference meeting regarding the escrow. The first escrow client subsystem is configured to display a list of available escrow companies for performing escrow services and fees associated with available escrow companies, and the first escrow client subsystem is configured to facilitate an escrow opening meeting online between a customer and an escrow company selected from the list.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a stored value account based on a purchase transaction are provided. An indicia of an identifier to be distributed to a customer at a point of sale as a result of a purchase is passed. A request to activate a stored value account associated with the identifier is received from the customer, wherein the request comprises the identifier. The stored value account is activated by a computer processor. The stored value account comprises information about a rebate value that is associated with the purchase and usable by the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable product (or service) purchasers, or other such entities, to share promotional materials via social networks and/or other means of communication and may further enable the purchasers to receive rewards, such as rebates, in response to interactions with the promotional materials by others (e.g., friends of the purchaser). In various embodiments, the promotional materials shared by the purchaser relates to the product purchased, which may lend greater credibility and/or interest in the promotional material being shared.