Abstract: A method whereby internet search keyword(s) can be associated with a purchase at an offline merchant. The process empowers the merchant to optimize bids to invest more money in keyword(s) with a stronger return on investment and less money in keyword(s) with a lower return on investment.

Abstract: A method whereby internet search keyword(s) can be associated with a purchase at an offline merchant. The process empowers the merchant to optimize bids to invest more money in keyword(s) with a stronger return on investment and less money in keyword(s) with a lower return on investment.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a restricted use in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion. The method further includes storing in an authorization database an authorization parameter and generating at a server a hyperlink including the authorization parameter. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server verifies that the consumer browser invoked the hyperlink containing the authorization parameter. The server also verifies the status of the authorization parameter. If the consumer browser invoked the hyperlink containing the authorization parameter and the status is active, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an authorized in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion. The method further includes storing in an authorization database an authorization parameter. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server uses the authorization parameter to verify that the request is authorized without requesting additional information from a consumer operating the consumer device. When the request is authorized, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device without any system-specific client software to be stored by the consumer device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering and activating a virtual gift card includes storing in a database at least one data item for use in creating a virtual gift card. A server creates a unique identifier for the virtual gift card and sends the unique identifier to the virtual gift card recipient. The unique identifier identifies a location for the recipient to retrieve the virtual gift card, but does not include the virtual gift card. In response to receiving a request from a recipient device to present the virtual gift card, the server generates the gift card, instructs a gift card processor to activate the gift card and transmits the virtual gift card to the recipient. The gift card may then be redeemed by the recipient at the corresponding merchant. The recipient thereby activates the gift card using a single action.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a restricted use in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion. The method further includes storing in an authorization database an authorization parameter and generating at a server a hyperlink including the authorization parameter. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server verifies that the consumer browser invoked the hyperlink containing the authorization parameter. The server also verifies the status of the authorization parameter. If the consumer browser invoked the hyperlink containing the authorization parameter and the status is active, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an authorized in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion. The method further includes storing in an authorization database an authorization parameter. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server uses the authorization parameter to verify that the request is authorized without requesting additional information from a consumer operating the consumer device. When the request is authorized, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device without any system-specific client software to be stored by the consumer device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a geographically restricted in-store promotion to a consumer includes storing in an offer database a plurality of offer data items for use in creating an in-store promotion and at least one participating store location. In response to receiving a request from a consumer device to present the in-store promotion, the server determines if the consumer device is within a predetermined geographic location of the participating store location without requesting additional information from a consumer operating the consumer device. If the consumer device is within the predetermined geographic location of the participating store location, the server dynamically generates the in-store promotion using at least one of the plurality of data items stored in the offer database. Once generated, the server transmits the in-store promotion to the consumer device.

Abstract: A method whereby internet search keyword(s) can be associated with a purchase at an offline merchant. The process empowers the merchant to optimize bids to invest more money in keyword(s) with a stronger return on investment and less money in keyword(s) with a lower return on investment.

Abstract: A method of marketing a merchant's goods and/or services comprising the steps of registering a merchant with an ASN to create a registered merchant, registering a publisher with the ASN to create a registered publisher, applying a unique promotion code to the registered publisher, delivering advertisements having the registered publisher's unique promotion code associated therewith to consumers, and accepting the unique promotion code at registered merchants for a transaction. The method also includes the steps of tracking the unique promotion code to the registered merchant and associating the unique promotion code with the consumer's transaction.

Abstract: A method of marketing a merchant's goods and/or services including the steps of registering each of a merchant, a publisher, and a consumer's payment vehicle with a network, such that each time a publisher causes a consumer to use a registered payment vehicle to purchase goods and/or services from the merchant, the merchant pays a first fee to the network and the network pays a second fee to the publisher. The network may also keep a portion of the first fee for itself. The network or the publisher optionally sends a portion of the fee back to the consumer. The entire method can be practiced either on-line, off-line or via a combination of both on-line and off-line.

Abstract: An internet-based process through which merchants can execute targeted marketing campaigns to individuals based on payments data in addition to traditional criteria such as tastes, preferences and demographics. The process utilizes registration of bankcard association branded credit and debit cards as well as other payment vehicles for a consumer rewards program that tracks payment data at merchants that are registered for the service. The merchant has the ability to advertise to an infinite number of individuals with no up-front marketing costs, paying only a marketing fee that is a percentage of a transaction between a registered cardholder or payment vehicle holder and that merchant. Unlike traditional advertising, the invention allows merchants to discriminately offer different incentives (discounts or other incentives) to different consumers in a discrete fashion.