Abstract: A database having information which the consumer desires to know, a database containing attributes of the consumer, and a database of advertising messages that an interactive voice response system can deliver to a the consumer are made responsive to telephone calls placed to an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The database of consumer attributes contains information that is already known about the consumer that can be used to decide on which advertising message to play. The consumer initiates activity by calling the interactive voice response system. Software identifies the consumer via the consumer inputted identification and plays an advertising message that, preferably, has been predetermined to have likely appeal to the consumer. The interactive voice response system is then used to disseminate the information sought by the customer (such as student grades) after first disseminating the advertising message. The advertising message can include an offer to purchase a product or service.