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: A method of facilitating access to a promotional offer, the method comprising: receiving at a server system a page request from a client device; and sending program code executable in a browser application to the client device in response to the page request, the program code being executable to display at least one promotional offer and a promotional code, to provide a flash object at a display position of the promotional code and, in response to selection of the flash object, to cause the promotional code to be copied to a user-accessible memory of the client device and to open a new browser display of the browser application.

Abstract: A wearable advertising ratings method and system is disclosed. The location of a advertising media can be identified and a human eye can be located and tracked when the user of the ratings system, such as a pedestrian, is wearing eye polarity-sensing earphones. The earphones collect data when a user views media, as well as process and transmit such data through the user's communications device. Changes in the eye's polarity, perception, and reaction to viewing media are correlated to human brain reactions to acquire ratings for viewed media. The system allows for an advertiser to acquire and evaluate audience feedback and ratings related to presentation and content displayed on media (e.g., billboards, digital signage, window displays, etc.), as well as provide incentives for rating such media through use of an applications store.

Abstract: Surveys are customized for respondents based on historical information of the respondents' system usage activity by generating customized survey questions based on the historical information and/or by analyzing responses to survey questions based on the historical information. The results of survey response analysis and/or aggregation can be used to create, modify, and/or validate one or more system settings.

Abstract: A social networking system uses information that it obtains from and about its users to select social networking content and advertising for presentation to users in a way that optimizes for one or more optimization goals. Example optimization goals include monetization, user sharing, user engagement, system growth, and user communication. The social networking system may select social networking content and advertising based on their relevance to a particular user. The selected social networking content and advertising may be related to each other to provide a more interesting display to the user. The selected social networking content and advertising may be presented in a supplemental portion of a display, and be selected based on their relatedness to content in the main portion of the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and accessing information such as targeted advertisements and other information content in a computer network environment that increase the efficiency of services provided by advertisers, while enhancing the economics of information content owners. The system implements a triangular economic transaction enabling negotiated transactions involving an information content owner, an advertiser, and a consumer. During the transactions between the respective parties, the information content owner is in control over terms of sale for its information content, the advertiser is in control over terms of its advertising campaign, and the consumer maintains control over personal profile information upon which the targeting of advertisements is based. The system allows the consumer to view targeted advertisements or any desired information content at a computer or computerized device on his or her own schedule, while maintaining a desired level of on-line privacy.

Abstract: Search and advertising systems may be optimized through the use of user feedback. Selected parameters such as ranking, filtering, placement, and pricing may be optimized to achieve certain objectives. The optimization may include real-time user monitoring of multiple configurations with various parameters. In one embodiment, a subset of user queries may be assigned to a particular configuration for monitoring and measuring the real-time performance of that configuration. The performance for multiple configurations may be used to identify optimal settings.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present media content provided by a media content source operating in an interactive television (iTV) network, access a client program which presents an overlay that superimposes onto the media content, wherein the client program enables the media processor to associate at least a portion of the media content with a user-generated comment, receive the user-generated comment, wherein the user-generated comment provides commentary on the portion of the media content, associate the user-generated comment with the portion of the media content, and transmit the user-generated comment to a third party for determination of marketing parameters of the portion of the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Advertisements to be presented to a user are selected based on feedback responses received from other users where the feedback responses represent the level of interest to the advertisements expressed by the other users. In selecting which advertisements to be presented to a user, the online service takes into account feedback responses previously collected from a group of users and revenue expected for presenting certain advertisements to the user. An online service computing device computes a total value of an advertisement based on an estimated revenue value for presenting an advertisement and a modifier representing the user's estimated interest in the advertisements. The online service then selects or prioritizes the advertisements based on the total values. Advertisements with more positive feedback responses and/or less negative feedback responses tend to have higher total values, and therefore, such advertisements are more likely to be selected for presentation to the users.

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: 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: Method and apparatus for measuring an audience viewership of an online live broadcast are provided. Code information included in live broadcast data is received from the encoding server or the media server, transmission information of the live broadcast data to the client is received from the media server, the transmission information is compensated using the code information, and the audience viewership of the online live broadcast is computed using the compensated transmission information. It is possible to obtain the accurate viewership of an online live broadcast and to obtain the accurate viewership of the online live broadcast even when users erroneously access a web page or intentionally access the web page to increase the number of page views.

Abstract: A process of creating incentives for wireless hotspots by a service provider is disclosed. An access point is provided to a wireless hotspot for wireless devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network in a publicly accessible location. Use of the access point for a portable device is authenticated by requesting submission of an account identifier to the service provider and billing data for a user of the portable device for use of the access point is generated. Use statistics are evaluated of the access point of the wireless hotspot by portables devices and an inducement is provided to the publicly accessible location based on the evaluated use statistics.

Abstract: The embodiments described show that wireless devices can be used to distribute and/or to endorse (or promote) advertisements (ads) by individuals and by ad distributors. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method of forwarding an advertisement received on a first mobile device to a second mobile device is provided. The method includes sending the advertisement to the first mobile device, and detecting forwarding of the advertisement from the first mobile device to the second mobile device. The method also includes determining if the advertisement that was forwarded to the second mobile device includes an endorsement for the advertisement. The endorsement was generated at the first mobile device. The method further includes monitoring activity on the second mobile device regarding the advertisement when the advertisement includes the endorsement and when the advertisement does not include the endorsement.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates user selectable advertising networks. Advertising content can be formed into cohesive subsets of advertising. These subsets can be related to criteria to facilitate selection between available subsets of advertising content. A selection component can facilitate selection of the available subsets of advertising content based on these criteria. The criteria can be related to user preferences. Further the criteria can relate to explicit user preferences such as opt-in or opt-out indicia. The user can be presented with more relevant advertising content where user selection of advertising networks occurs.

Abstract: Methods and systems allow measurement of effectiveness of advertising campaigns based on online advertisements targeted towards specific sets of members. A set of members is allowed to see an advertisement whereas another set of members is withheld from seeing the advertisement under conditions similar to the first set. Test sets obtained from the two sets of members are polled with questions evaluating effectiveness of advertisement. The poll questions evaluate effectiveness based on factors including brand awareness, purchase intent, or brand favorability. Statistical analysis is performed to quantitatively measure the effectiveness of the advertisement by measuring the improvement in above factors as a result of showing the advertisement.

Abstract: A real-time sourcing system is described herein that matches consumers with service requests to providers that perform the requested services. In addition, the system automates communication between consumers and providers. The real-time sourcing system provides automated and integrated end-to-end management of a transaction. The system receives a request from a consumer that describes a particular service needed by the consumer, and sends notifications to registered providers based on the requested service. The system receives an offer from one or more notified providers that indicates terms under which the provider would perform the requested service, and sends offers that match the consumer's criteria to the consumer for evaluation. The system receives an acceptance of an offer from the consumer. Thus, the real-time sourcing system reduces the time involved with finding providers to perform services, and provides consumers with more relevant selections of providers to perform services.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting information over time to a user over a computer network (12), in which a server (14) stores presentation information (22) and control information (24). The user's computer (10) is responsive to the presentation information (22) and the control information (24), to produce a presentation which includes at least one prompt to the user at at least one randomly determined point during the presentation and to deliver the presentation to the user. The computer (10) also communicates to the server (14) whether the user provided a desired response within a predefined period during and/or after each prompt, following which the server (14) credits the user with having watched the information.

Abstract: A method performed by one or more devices within a subscription television network includes defining a micro-group, where the micro-group includes one or more user accounts associated with the subscription television network. The method further includes obtaining a profile for the micro-group and obtaining advertising corresponding to the profile of the micro-group. The method also includes sending the advertising to a device associated with one of the one or more user accounts.

Abstract: In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving at a server information indicating activity levels of users of a computer-implemented social network or acquaintance relationships of the users on the computer-implemented social network. The method further includes generating by the server influence scores for the users based on the received information. The method also includes recursively propagating by the server an ad through the computer-implemented social network between users having an acquaintance relationship by transmitting the ad from a propagating user to a recipient user when a difference between a first influence score of the propagating user and a second influence score of the recipient user is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which submission of targeted advertisements can be facilitated using text messaging. Text message received from advertisers can include advertisement information and target audience information. Such information can be used to generate an advertisement for the advertiser. The generated advertisement can be provided for targeted distribution to users.

Abstract: A method of using a digital content display frame around a flat panel television that allows advertisers to use the attention-capturing power of television to reach a targeted demographic with content rich, high definition media in any location where a flat panel television is, or could be, located. Dynamic digital content is displayed on the centrally-located flat panel television, including plasma and LCD televisions, and/or on any combination of the display panels in the frame around it, which preferably comprises four panels in a rectangular configuration, but is not limited thereto. Digital content on any of the display panels can be independent or unified with any other panel, and/or the television. Content management of the displayed digital content can be remotely accomplished via one or more web interfaces, as well as locally via on-board USB, Cat5 wiring, firewire-type technology, and/or other means allowing quick upload of local content.

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: A business method for promoting goods and services of providers includes the steps of designating a group of targeted recipients, and storing demographics information of each recipient in an electronic database. A plurality of direct mail items including provider promotions is generated, and each marked with a machine-readable ID code unique to each of the recipients. The direct mail items are sorted by their respective ID codes into cooperative mail packages, each mail package containing multiple items with common ID codes. The mail packages are then forwarded to respective recipients. After redemption of a direct mail item by a recipient, the ID code is read and electronically linked with the recipient's demographics information contained in the electronic database. A report is generated based on the direct mail items redeemed. The report may include a geographic map which plots respective locations of recipients, and/or a listing of receipts grouped into a plurality of demographics segments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method is disclosed and described for presenting content, including but not limited to, news content, to a computer-based System User in a converted audio and/or video presentation form. In more detail, the computer-implemented system and method is for gathering news content to substantially match a System User's (reader's) interests and converting this news content into high quality audio and video presentations for consumption by the System User.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a software facility performs a method of automated specification of models, estimation of elasticities, and discovery of drivers using the framework(s) discussed elsewhere herein is provided. The facility first obtains the client, business, and/or brand goals in terms of profit optimization, volume or revenue goals, acquisition of new customers, retention of customers, share of wallet and upsell. In conjunction with these goals, the facility obtains cross-section meta-data related to the planning time horizon, markets, geographies, channels of trade and customer segments. In combination, the goals and meta-data define the structure of the data stack and the number of demand generation equations that are needed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring effectiveness of advertisements. Consumers who opt-in may be presented with advertisements, and after viewing the advertisements, the participants may be asked to respond to the advertisement in a standardized survey environment. The participants may be asked to rate, on a scale of 0 to 100, each advertising piece in terms of various factors such as: desire rating, relevance, information, attention, innovation (or change), likeability, etc. These responses, combined with demographic information about the participants and meta data pertaining to advertising such as brand, product and the media that the advertising is designed for, may be used to measure the persuasive power of the advertising content, the likelihood of repeat viewing of the advertising, the likelihood of having word-of-mouth effect and the overall effectiveness of advertising content.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods, and software applications, which are configured to manage marketing templates that are to be used in e-mail marketing campaigns, are described in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, among many, a computer readable medium is configured to store instructions that are executable by a processing device. The computer readable medium includes logic adapted to enable a user to create a marketing template and logic adapted to enable the user to publish the marketing template on one or more social networks. The computer readable medium also includes logic adapted to enable the user to incorporate the marketing template into an e-mail marketing campaign. Furthermore, the computer readable medium comprises logic that is adapted to track statistics related to recipients' responses to the e-mail marketing campaign.

Abstract: An endorsed advertising engine, system and method, which includes at least one vault having media assets, a recommendation engine that matches the media assets from the vault with at least one available placement, and a delivery engine that integrates the available placement with the matched media assets from the vault.

Abstract: Mobile commerce systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a mobile commerce platform includes a visual design tool. The mobile commerce platform may be electronically stored on a computing device, such that it is configured to manipulate computer readable data electronically stored on the computing device. The visual design tool may include an interactive graphical canvas and a block diagram. The interactive graphical canvas may be configured to enable the modification of the block diagram. The block diagram may include a first object block, a second object block and at least one connecting symbol. The first object block may define a first campaign instance, the second object block may define a second campaign instance, and the at least one connecting symbol may define a campaign sequence. Further, the mobile commerce platform may be configured to execute a mobile campaign according to the first campaign instance, the second campaign instance, and the campaign sequence.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively assessing the effectiveness of an audiovisual, visual or audio advertisement including the steps of: presenting the advertisement to a plurality of subjects, the advertisement having a sequence of audiovisual, visual and/or audio features which occur as a function of time; obtaining, during presentation of the advertisement, EEG signals from the subjects from predetermined scalp sites thereof; calculating SSVEP amplitudes and/or phase differences from EEG signals obtained from the predetermined scalp sites in order to obtain output signals which represent predetermined psychological states of each subject to the features as a function of time; combining the output signals from the subjects to obtain pooled output signals; and displaying the pooled output signals to thereby enable quantitative assessment of the subjects' responses to the features of the advertisement in order to assess the effectiveness of the features of the advertisement.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles having machine-readable instructions can be implemented to manage advertising content using a computing device, for example, by retrieving a page of content from a network, the retrieved page including at least some advertising content, presenting the retrieved page of content to the user of the computing device, receiving user input via a user interface identifying at least a portion of the presented advertising content to be saved, saving the identified portion of advertising content, receiving user input via the user interface identifying some or all of the saved advertising content to share with another user, and causing the identified saved advertising content to be shared with the other user.

Abstract: A method for collecting user data and constructing a user profile as a digital content vending machine, DCVM is employed which includes an infrastructure and an inventory on a client in a computerized device. The infrastructure presents a graphical user interface on the client which may metaphorically resemble a pillar cover or a plurality of stores operated by vendors. User-customers shop by navigating the pillars or visiting the stores, thus viewing and selecting assets (inventory) and their actions during this are monitored to collect data.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of implementing a computerized brand affinity engine. The apparatus, system and method include at least a plurality of computerized access points having accessible thereto a plurality of sites mentioning at least one sponsor, a categorized, hierarchical database of keywords, wherein at least the keywords falling in at least one category of the hierarchy correspond to a sponsor category of the at least one sponsor, and a tracker, wherein the tracker tracks positive ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites and negative ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites, in accordance with positive and negative keywords of the categorized, hierarchical database in the sponsor category, and wherein the tracker issues an rating with regard to the at least one sponsor in accordance with the positive ones and the negative ones of the mentions.

Abstract: Metadata may be associated with media objects by providing media objects for display, and accepting input concerning the media objects, where the input may include at least two different types of metadata. For example, metadata may be in the form of tags, comments, annotations or favorites. The media objects may be searched according to metadata, and ranked in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of an apparatuses, methods, and systems to identify aggregate and generate bids for online sales leads. A lead facilitator may use an online lead bidding system to aggregate, and focus user leads and make them available to providers. The providers may make bids to acquire leads from users that are specific to the provider's goods and/or services. The winning bidders are then allowed to provide advertising, offers, and/or the like to the lead generators. Also, the winning bidders are provided with information submitted by the lead generators for follow-up contact, which may include: personal face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, emails, Web links (e.g., for purchasing an item), and/or the like. The lead bidding system also allows for the creation of numerous categories and campaigns, which are useful for market research as well as sales lead generation.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided to compensate an agent in exchange for the agent's intent in transacting with a service platform. Compensation can be effected in online and offline domains, and intent can be conveyed online or offline. Compensation is funded through advertisement spending, and advertisement impressions facilitate compensation delivery. The service platform that compensated the agent extracts intent through explicit or implicit expressions which can be collected online or offline. Offline expressions can be delivered through wearable indicia. Compensation can be delivered wirelessly offline or online to a device operated by the agent. Agent and agent's device(s) registration afford service platform to deliver adaptive compensation customized to the agent, and advertisement(s) with format and content optimized for the agent's device.

Abstract: The inventive system uses a trust network rating system to target advertisements thereby increasing the effectiveness as well as the palatability of the advertisement. A user of an online system sets up a trust network by indicating criteria whereby the user trusts other users. Ratings made by the other users of goods or services are evaluated according to the particular trust network the user has set up. The user receives advertisements only from those vendors who have met thresholds based on the evaluated ratings. This ensures that the user receives only pertinent and interesting advertisements so that the user is more likely to respond positively to the advertisements.

Abstract: Methodologies and system functionality are provided to determine mobile device capabilities and/or configuration setting and user abilities and/or inclinations as a precursor to or as part of the management, delivery and/or assessment of the efficacy of promotional material. The determination of the mobile device capabilities and/or configuration settings and user abilities and/or inclinations may be performed, for example, when provisioning a new service or after such a service has been utilized by a mobile device user. Further, such a determination may be performed in connection with a mobile device service that provides free or subsidized service to mobile device users.

Abstract: A marketing analysis system analyzes individual and joint media effects of marketing in various media by combining multiple distinct streams of data, such as transaction, survey, and media exposure data. As a result of the analysis, the effects of various activities in various media outlet types are quantified with respect to its influence on a measure of marketing effectiveness, such as total sales for a brand, or various brand metrics such as brand awareness. Based on the quantified effects on the measure of marketing effectiveness, additional information, such as resource allocation across different media outlets, may further be determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for managing a subscriber connection, the device including a mechanism for granting connection services to the subscriber connection, mechanism for monitoring reception behavior concerning predetermined messages conveyed to the subscriber connection, and a mechanism for controlling a further connection service grant to the subscriber connection based on the reception behavior.

Abstract: Mainly on the Internet (though extendible to any other communications or advertising medium, present or future), which offers great advantages both to those at whom a product or service is offered, as consumers, and to suppliers of services or contents. It consists of the displaying of normally multimedia presentations of a product or service by means of an advertising message and which will habitually include a brief questionnaire on what is shown in the message, on the consumer him or herself, or any other data which the advertiser considers to be relevant and useful. When looking at the message and replying to its questionnaire (if there is one), the possible consumer will obtain a certain number of credits that will be able to be used as if they were virtual money in various payment services.

Abstract: Behavioral targeting to push promotional offers to members of a social network is provided. The selection and redemption of promotional offers can increase by providing members of a social network with relevant and high value offers. In addition, marketing campaigns can increase their effectiveness with knowledge and identification of members having a high degree of influence on other members. A member's measure of influence is determined by characterizations of the member's friends based on monitored actions of the friends. In other words, relevant promotional offers can be targeted to a consumer based indirectly on the actions of the friends of the consumer in addition to the direct behavior of the consumer himself. The actions and behavior of a consumer and his or her friends can be tracked within the social network setting. Pushing relevant and high value offers enables rapid and viral spread of offers.

Abstract: Behavioral targeting to push promotional offers to a person, such as an artist, celebrity, athlete, politician, of a fan-based network is provided. The selection and redemption of promotional offers can increase by providing persons of a fan-based network with relevant and high value offers. In addition, marketing campaigns can increase their effectiveness with knowledge and identification of persons having a high degree of influence on other persons. A person's measure of influence is determined by characterizations of the person's fans based on monitored actions of the fans. Relevant promotional offers can be targeted to a consumer based indirectly on the actions of the fans of the consumer in addition to the direct behavior of the consumer himself. The actions and behavior of a consumer and his or her fans can be tracked within the fan-based network setting. Pushing relevant and high value offers enables rapid and viral spread of offers.

Abstract: A method and system for web advertisement are disclosed. According to one embodiment a computer-implemented method comprises receiving chat room information, wherein the chat room information describes a current state of a chat room. The chat room information is provided to an advertisement server, and the advertisement server selects an advertisement based upon the chat room information. The advertisement is received and provided to an advertisement module, and the advertisement module provides the advertisement to the chat room.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring and monitoring effectiveness of on-line advertising are provided. The system and method provide a code attached to, for example, an advertising banner of a company that may advertise goods and/or services of the company. The code provides a signal to a server when the banner is viewed on a computer of a user. Cookie data is transferred by the server to the computer of the user providing information related to viewing of the advertising banner. Surveys are further presented to users to obtain information related to the effectiveness of the advertising for both exposed users and control users.

Abstract: A platform includes an overall system for user interaction, associated with a particular advertisement. The process enables users to interact with a widget directly associated with an advertisement and express themselves in regards to the advertisement. Advertisement displayed in the Internet or similar distributed computer network-based information distribution system. Such user interactions include engagement methods such as rating advertisements, sharing them with other users, commenting on them, and more. The platform can also include a host site, storing and processing data received by users. As well as means for targeting advertisements and serving them to users according to data collected through the platform directly inserted by the users or collected by the platform in regards to their interaction with the platform.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems for designing a true experiment, and optionally conducting the experiment and analyzing the experimental data are described. Information required to design the true experiment is identified. Questions are presented to a user eliciting responses that provide the required information. The required information is extracted from responses received from the user. The true experiment is designed based on the required information.

Abstract: Tools for improving interactions between promoters and consumers of products. These tools can enable promoters of products to employ more effective promotional programs, and consumers to receive promotional information about products of interest, while avoiding the excessive overload of information about promotions that are not of interest. Some such tools can enhance consumer satisfaction with—and, correspondingly, consumer participation in—promotional programs by allowing consumers to tailor the discount programs to their preferences, by analyzing consumer behavior and tailoring promotions accordingly, and/or by providing cross promotions of complementary products. Some of the tools can provide substantial savings, in both costs and natural resources, as well as provide a more satisfying experience for consumers, by substantially reducing, or even eliminating, excessive use of paper for promotional programs and transaction receipts.