Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for verifying a consumer's cognitive awareness of an advertisement. Aspects of the invention provide a method of receiving a request for services from a consumer, presenting at least one advertisement to the consumer, presenting at least one verification question to the consumer, receiving at least one verification response from the consumer, and determining whether the at least one verification response matches at least one correct response. If the at least one verification response matches the correct response, then access to the service is granted. If the at least one verification response does not match the correct response, then access to the service is not granted. In some embodiments of the invention, the consumer is allowed to repeat the verification process if the verification response does not match the correct response.

Abstract: Items—including gourmet products—are evaluated and rated by participants in a controlled event, which can be coordinated by software locally or at a dedicated website. Event data, including item scores and participant scores can be shared with vendors, merchants and other commercial entities associated with the products. Promotional incentives from such entities for the products (and related products) can then be directly targeted and provided to participants and other members of the public. The participant's activities can also be collected and disseminated to affiliates/friends of the participants through social networking sites, personalized web pages, etc.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention combine information from different data sets, such as social networks, advertising networks, and/or panels, each data set comprising statistics about past viewership of content (e.g., advertisements). The result of the combination is a model that, when applied to statistics about viewing of particular content, produces viewing statistics about the particular content that are more accurate than the data of any given one of the different data sets when taken in isolation.

Abstract: A first content includes a set of first components. A first feedback mechanism is associated with at least one first component. A second feedback mechanism is associated with the first content. A user response to the first and second feedback mechanisms is received. A second component is provided based on the user response for use in displaying at a user interface in place of at least one of the first components.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for the creation, delivery, processing, and overall management of surveys across and on sites and applications that display online and mobile content that is tracked using an audience validation system. Improvements on the functionality of an audience validation system include creating a marketplace for content and application publishers to make their audiences available for general market research surveys. In one embodiment, the system significantly reduces the overheads involved in market research for all parties concerned including publishers, the consumers of the publishers' content, and market researchers wishing to survey the consumers of the publishers' content. In one embodiment the invention affords both publishers and marketers access to self-service portals to make their audiences available and to survey them respectively.

Abstract: Actions and/or behaviors of social networking system users are observed and used for measuring advertising effectiveness. More specifically, advertisements from an advertising campaign are selectively targeted and presented to specific subsets of social network users and withheld from other subsets of social network users. After the advertisements are presented, actions performed by users in the different subsets are be identified and analyzed to determine metrics describing the effectiveness of the particular advertising campaign.

Abstract: Advertising rewards and referrals are described, including detecting an interaction with an advertisement, recording the interaction, the interaction including an input being provided in response to the advertisement, generating a reward for the interaction, the reward being an action taken to provide a benefit in response to the interaction, analyzing data associated with the advertisement, the data including a plurality of documented interactions, and providing a result from analyzing the data.

Abstract: The various exemplary embodiments provide a method for projecting survey information into a geographic region. The geographic region is divided into a plurality of geographic subregions, each of which are profiled using a plurality of profiling variables to form a selected geographic subregion profile. The profiling variables include both demographic and behavioral variables. A plurality of survey respondents are then randomly assigned into the selected geographic subregion to form a modeled population, with the random assignment weighted based on a representation probability of each of the corresponding plurality of survey respondents for the selected geographic subregion profile, with the representation probabilities having been determined using a sample balancing algorithm. Following such profiling and assignment for all subregions, survey information corresponding to the modeled population is projected into the geographic region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide means to the users of the system to provide ratings and corresponding feedback for enhancing the genuineness in the ratings. The system includes a memory coupled to a processor. The memory includes one or more instructions executable by the processor to enable the users of the system to rate each other based on at least one of sharing, exchanging, and selling one of activity, service or product. The system may provide a mechanism to encourage genuineness in ratings provided by the users. Furthermore, the instructions facilitate the rating receivers to provide feedbacks corresponding to the received ratings. The feedback includes accepting or objecting to a particular rating. Moreover, the memory includes instructions executable by the processor to enable the system to determine genuineness of an objection raised by a rating receiver.

Abstract: A social networking system generates metrics for one or more groups of users defined by various social signals. A group of users may be defined by the users' observed actions in a social networking system and/or the connections between the users' and other social networking system users. Data for the group of users may be compared against data for a control group to generate metrics for the group of users.

Abstract: An input and processing system allows user input information such as user affinity to efficiently block content and request content as well as novel input of commands such as copy/paste on a small mobile device screen among other computing devices. A client/server is also made more efficient due to the enhanced gathering of information such as content feedback from users. Yet another disclosure regards a system allowing leveraging of preexisting information to display content and select brands for user feedback. Also disclosed are systems for increasing sales efficiency, and various GUI interfaces.

Abstract: A database interface for developing at least one media play is disclosed. The database interface for developing at least one media play includes a plurality of templates, generated in accordance with feedback prior ones of the at least one media plays, at least two desired criteria limiting circumstances for play of the media play received at one of said templates, and an accessor that accesses media play inventory and preempts certain of the media play inventory with an insertion of the media play according to said at least two desired criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a survey comprises an incentive module, a survey determination module, a timing module, and a survey interface module. The incentive module determines a dynamic incentive for a panelist. The dynamic incentive is associated with the survey. The survey determination module provides the survey to the panelist. The timing module determines a survey time and if the panelist may perform another survey in a remaining time. The survey interface module provides a graphical representation of the survey to the panelist.

Abstract: A method analyzes preferences of one or more participants. Each of the participants may be presented with a plurality of evaluation items that illustrate various marketing options. Response data from the participants that indicates at least an approach, if any, toward the evaluation items is obtained. An approach entropy value may be generated for the marketing options based on the response data for each participant. A relative preference order for each participant for the marketing options may be determined from the generated approach entropy values.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, multimedia content may be streamed, together with associated timing information, to various users, who may provide feedback data in response to the multimedia content; the feedback data may be related to the multimedia content using the associated timing information, and then stored to some medium.

Abstract: A system and method disclosed for using and updating a database of template responses for a live agent in response to user communications. The method includes computing an average string distance between each response from a live agent and a template, use to generate the response, modifying the computed average string distance based on a customer satisfaction score associated with each response and selecting a response that minimizes the computed average string distance and maximizes customer satisfaction. Upon receiving a further communication on a certain issue, the system presents a prototype response that has been added to the template database to the live agent for use in generating a response to the further communication that reduces handling time and increases customer satisfaction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for publishing a marketing campaign on an online social network. A CRM server accesses a marketing campaign record in a database and transmits marketing campaign data to be published on an online social network. The CRM server also receives data related to users interacting with the published marketing campaign. The CRM server can store the user-related data. In some implementations, the user-related data can also be analyzed.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that receives at a server a first request to rebroadcast a first sponsored content item that was displayed on the social network to the first user to a second user. A second request to display at least one sponsored content item to the second user when the second user accesses an electronic document associated with the social network is received at the server. The first sponsored content item is retrieved for rebroadcast from one or more sponsored content items indicated for rebroadcast to the second user. The first sponsored content item is output to the second user of the social network in response to the second request to display and without requiring the second user to select the first sponsored content item for display.

Abstract: A method and system for online advertisements that encourages users to express purchase preference or brand interest on their social media networks through rich media interactions. The system includes a processor, a network interface configured to connect to a network and a machine readable storage medium configured to store program instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method for encouraging users to express purchase preference or brand interest on their social media networks through rich media interactions. An interactive display is arranged on a screen comprising a prompt and a plurality of selectable multimedia elements. A user responds to the prompt by designating a multimedia to enable transmission of preference data responsive to the prompt. The preference data associated with the designated multimedia element to a server connected to the network.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable mobile TV providers to select programs for broadcast based on viewer preference indications or votes. Information regarding candidate programs or content may be broadcast and displayed on mobile devices. A voting user interface may receive viewer preferences or votes and transmit vote information to the mobile TV broadcast network using a unicast network. Received voting information may be tallied to select a program or content for broadcast. Interim vote tallies may be broadcast to mobile devices until a voting session is terminated. Results of the voting session may be broadcasted followed by broadcast of the selected program.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for enabling a loyalty system to be linked to one or more card issuers, cardholders, merchants, and thereby their cardholders. A system operable to create, implement and manage one or more loyalty programs that provide benefits to members of the loyalty programs in connection with transactions between the members and one or more merchants associated with the loyalty system. The method includes registering on the loyalty system one or more card issuers; one or more merchant acquirers associated with the one or more card issuers; a plurality of cardholders as members of the loyalty program. Establishing and applying rules for accrual and processing of benefits from the merchants to cardholders associated with the one or more card issuers in connection with transactions between the cardholders and the merchants with the loyalty system. Defining a rule based survey utility operable to issue surveys to members of the loyalty system on a transaction and non-transaction basis.

Abstract: A system and method which allow estimation of the value of display advertising are disclosed. Access is provided to a simulated web browsing experience to a plurality of users on a browser on the users' computers. The users have agreed to act as test subjects in exchange for financial compensation. At least one web page comprising a randomly selected article and at least one advertisement is presented to the users. After a predetermined duration, a questionnaire including questions relating to the at least one advertisement is presented to the users. The users are provided with financial compensation for answering the questions.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to explicitly and implicitly measure media impact are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing first survey response data obtained from a control group panelist responding to a first survey instrument after exposure to first media. An example first survey instrument includes an implicit measure. The example first survey response data includes first implicit response data. The example method further includes analyzing second survey response data obtained from a test group panelist responding to the first survey instrument after exposure to second media. The example second survey response data includes second implicit response data. The example second media includes elements of the first media and target advertising or entertainment material not included in the first media. The example method also includes assessing an effectiveness of the target advertising or entertainment material based on the first and second implicit response data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for enabling first users to influence the preferences of second users in the favor thereof. Each first user represents a part or the entirety of a business entity and each second user representing an individual or an organization. The system comprises a plurality of preference polls accessible by a second user wherein, each preference poll requires a second user to select a poll entry out of at least two poll entries listed therein; each poll entry managed by a first user. The system further comprises a communication module for enabling the first users to persuade those second users, who have not selected the poll entries thereof, to reselect the poll entries thereof as preferred poll entries.

Abstract: A method includes authorizing a user to participate in a survey, generating a key associated with a user identifier and a survey identifier, sending the key to a user terminal, directing the user terminal to a survey uniform resource locator (URL), connecting communicatively with the user terminal via a second URL, determining whether the second URL designates the survey as completed, retrieving the encrypted key from the user terminal responsive to determining that the second URL designates the survey as completed, and updating the status of the survey in a memory responsive to verifying the integrity of the encrypted key.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a media file for distribution and identifying a plurality of commercial messages as possible content that can be associated with the media file when it is distributed. Votes from a plurality of customers can be received, with each vote reflecting a customer's preference for at least one of the plurality of commercial messages. The votes can be calculated and at least one preferred commercial message can be designated based on the calculation. At least one preferred commercial message can be associated with the media file to create a combined media file and the combined media file can be distributed and/or made available for distribution.

Abstract: Social media content items are mapped to relevant time-based media events. These mappings are used as the basis for calculating metrics based upon the mappings, and ratings of the time-based media there from. Audience response metrics (ARMs) are calculated from the mappings, which provide an indication of audience engagement or response. In addition, ARMs provide information about the virality, depth, and breadth of the response by the viewing audience. The calculated metrics are stored and are used to generate ratings for the time-based media. The ratings may be published in whole or in part, e.g., as part of a ratings system.

Abstract: Provided is a method of online advertising using a free advertising website, including: a first step of enabling the free advertising website to join as a member using a user terminal; a second step of accessing the free advertising website, checking the advertisement posted on the first page of the website, and executing either an advertisement posting category or an advertisement search category using the user terminal; a third step of, if the advertisement posting category is selected, being activated as an advertisement provider, posting an advertisement, and paying points for the posted advertisement and questionnaire on the advertisement; and a fourth step of, if the advertisement search category is selected, being activated as an advertisement viewer, searching advertisements, executing and viewing the found advertisement, answering the questionnaire on the advertisement, and getting points for viewing the advertisement and answering the questionnaire.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus monitor system factor(s) and select one or more sensors from a plurality of sensors positioned to gather audience measurement data based on the monitored factor(s). Thus, the disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to the conditions they face by selecting an amount and/or type of audience measurement data they gather.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention combine information from different data sets, such as social networks, advertising networks, and/or panels, each data set comprising statistics about past viewership of content (e.g., advertisements). The result of the combination is a model that, when applied to statistics about viewing of particular content, produces viewing statistics about the particular content that are more accurate than the data of any given one of the different data sets when taken in isolation.

Abstract: A demand-shaping server, and method of shaping demand and an infrastructure incorporating the server or the method. In one embodiment, the server includes: (1) a sponsor interface configured to receive from a sponsor information regarding a time-sensitive deal and including a location at which the time-sensitive deal may be claimed and (2) a runner interface coupled to the sponsor interface and configured to transmit notices containing at least some of the information to mobile devices based on runner criteria associated therewith.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are provided for advertising on an authenticated web-based social network. Such methods include providing a screen for creation of a classified advertisement, receiving the classified advertisement from an advertising member, and displaying the classified advertisement on a user network in the authenticated web-based social network with information about a relationship between the advertising member and a member of the authenticated web-based social network viewing the classified advertisement. Exemplary systems include an advertising engine configured to generate a screen for creation of a classified advertisement, a communications module configured to receive the classified advertisement from, an advertising member, a distributed database configured with a user network and relationship information, and a display module configured to display the classified advertisement on the user network with the relationship information.

Abstract: A global customer satisfaction system includes point-of-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving in-store customer feedback including satisfaction ratings and other customer feedback regarding participating vendors as the customer pays for purchases. The system also includes post-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving more detailed customer feedback regarding the vendors from members after the sales have been completed. The system also includes an aggregation and dissemination system for combining the ratings received form customers into global customer satisfaction ratings for participating vendors, and disseminating the customer satisfaction information through customer satisfaction qualified directories, which are organized or searchable by geographical, type of product or service offered by the participating vendors, and other factors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for panel surveys. In one aspect, a method include accessing television history data for viewing devices associated with panelists and that describes, for each viewing device, television advertisements that were presented by use of the viewing device; a proper subset of panelists are selected based on the determinations of television advertisements that were presented and television advertisements that were not presented by use of the viewing device associated with the panelists, and for each of the selected panelists, a survey for the panelist is generated, the survey including one or more questions, each of the questions having been selected based on the television advertisements that were presented and television advertisements that were not presented by use of the viewing device associated with the panelist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and server for providing advertisements that employ a contest arrangement between a multiple number of advertising items extracted in association with a particular text or image, to draw the interest of the advertisement users and maximize the advertising effect by supplying certain benefits according to the contest rankings.

Abstract: A system and method for auction based polling is provided. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. A query is associated with the poll. A priority of the poll is determined based on the parameters. The poll is distributed to one or more second users according to the priority. Results to the poll are gathered. The results are reported to the first user.

Abstract: One or more consumers proximate to a kiosk can be detected. The kiosk can present a product advertisement associated with a product. The product can be a good or a service. Metrics associated with the consumers can be collected responsive to interacting with the product advertisement. The interaction can be a visual and aural interaction. The metrics can be analyzed to determine an impression associated with the consumers interacting with the product advertisement. The impression can be a rational descriptor and/or an emotional descriptor. The rational descriptor and/or emotional descriptor can be a computer readable value associated with a behavioral change of the consumers responsive to the interacting. A normalized content can be generated based on the impression associated with the consumer. The normalized content can adjust the product advertisement to improve the impression.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention further provide systems and methods for automatically identifying and extracting topics from questions posted by users to a consultation system, for creating a new consultation category or creating new keywords for of promotion of a new category serving an underserved or unserved topic.

Abstract: A system and method for directing self-targeted advertising to users who are interested in receiving it. A user creates or adopts one or more personas that define a number of characteristics that the user has or wants to be associated with. The characteristics of the personas can be used by advertisers to define members of a target audience. Each persona included in a target audience has an address or identifier to which ads are sent. In one embodiment, users are shown a user interface screen with icons representing a number of brands. The user provides input that indicates whether they have different opinions of the brands. Based on the input received, an estimate is made of the likelihood that the user has a number of characteristics. The user can arrange the icons representing the brands on the user interface screen to indicate if the user likes or dislikes the brand.

Abstract: A system and method for directing self-targeted advertising to users who are interested in receiving it. A user creates or adopts one or more personas that define a number of characteristics that the user has or wants to be associated with. The characteristics of the personas can be used by advertisers to define members of a target audience. Each persona included in a target audience has an address or identifier to which ads are sent. In one embodiment, users are shown a user interface screen with icons representing a number of brands. The user provides input that indicates whether they have different opinions of the brands. Based on the input received, an estimate is made of the likelihood that the user has a number of characteristics. The user can arrange the icons representing the brands on the user interface screen to indicate if the user likes or dislikes the brand.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for defining commercial transaction components; defining rules for mapping customer transactions into individual components; market segmentation in light of these individual definitions and bundling individual components of an offer into optimized packages for presentation and sale. A data processing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, examines the commercial behavior of enrolled customers, breaks each of the constituent transactions into purchases of atom-level components; catalogues those components; extracts demographic information from said transactions and other sources; facilitates demographic studies of groups of such customers; optimizes offerings to such groups; and facilitates the consummation of those offers of sale. The processing system may also facilitate customers fiscal management through the communication of data necessary to practice the instant invention.

Abstract: User-controlled file interaction is described, including detecting an interaction with a file presented on a client, the interaction indicating a preference associated with the file, selecting other files for presentation based on the preference, the other files being similar to the element, and presenting the other files on the client.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium include for an ad to be displayed on a web page, providing a first user input field that is selectable by a user viewing the ad. Upon detection of actuation of the user input field for the ad, providing display data representing a second user input field by which a user can enter feedback information regarding the ad is provided, the second user input field comprising a portion configured to receive input from the user regarding a specific portion of the ad. There is received feedback information regarding the ad that has been entered using the second user input field. The feedback information is stored in association with the ad.

Abstract: A method includes collecting individual-level data (for example, survey data) corresponding to each of one or more individuals who has been exposed to advertising for a product or service. A representative sample may be created from the individual-level data. A model may be created based on factors relating to acquisition of the product or service. A response to the advertisements is assessed based on the model. In some embodiments, intermediate measures to sales are included in the model. In some embodiments, the individual-level model is integrated with a historical model.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for establishing a control group from members a given population by identifying, for each member of the test group, an “unexposed twin”. In general, the unexposed twin of a test group member is the person that is most similar to the test group member, from among the members of the population that have not been exposed to the relevant marketing efforts. Preferably, the twins of each member of the population are pre-computed by mapping relevant attributes of the member to N-dimensional space. The “twin mapping” thus produced is then used to identify a control group candidate when a member of the population becomes exposed to marketing efforts for which testing is being performed.

Abstract: An information providing device which provides screen data including an advertisement display area, to a terminal device through a network, acquires posting information registered in a site on the network, and specifies a commercial transaction target based on the acquired posting information. The information providing device calculates the degree of attention of the commercial transaction target specified based on the acquired posting information, and determines the commercial transaction target which is an advertisement display target, based on the calculated degree of attention.

Abstract: A database of user preference information is extracted and compiled from multiple websites by web-crawling robots without cooperation or specific participation by users. Users who interact with a website are frequently required to register and create a login or userID name that uniquely identifies them. Thereafter, when an individual rates an item, it is often recorded and published under their userID name such that other users can see how a specific individual rated the item. Although there is no requirement that a specific user register on different websites utilizing the identical userID, it is extremely common that this practice occurs and the use of identical userIDs on multiple sites is used herein to expand preference analysis beyond a single site. Once the database exists, users can request or be passively offered suggestions that result from preference associations across multiple websites as performed by a preference analysis and suggestion function.

Abstract: Generating an advertisement unit is disclosed. A selection of one or more content items is received. Each of the content items has an associated quality score. A representation of at least one of the content items is included in a generated advertisement. The advertisement also includes, for each included content item, an associated link configured to, when activated by a viewer of the advertisement, direct the viewer to an instance of the respective included content item.

Abstract: A method for measuring the reach of media content distributed within time slots of a radio or television broadcast or other media outlet. Statistics representative of audience exposure to such media content are derived from recollections gathered from a first quantity of respondents who, collectively, constitute a representative sample across all socio-demographic segments of a relevant population. From these recollections, which identify media content to which respondents were exposed during recollection intervals, first audience statistics are derived for respective time intervals of interest. Second audience statistics, representative of audience exposure to media content during time slots falling within the time intervals of interest, is derived from a plurality of audiometric measurements collected from a second quantity of representative respondents substantially smaller than the first.