Abstract: A podcast creation and publishing method for execution by a computer system that includes defining, via a graphical user interface, a transitional relationship between at least two media events of a plurality of media events, where a first media event and a second media event at least partially overlap. The method further includes updating corresponding metadata associated with the first and second media events to include the transitional relationship. The method further includes selecting, from a drop down menu displayed on the graphical user interface, an option to generate a podcast from the plurality of media events. The method further includes generating the podcast from the plurality of media events by retrieving the plurality of media events from the media event database along with the metadata, converting the plurality of media events and the metadata into a common format to produce the podcast, and distributing the podcast over a network.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created and published as a podcast. The publishing includes a podcast automation interface defining: a web syndication format, one or more RSS (Really Simple Syndication) channels for the publishing of the podcast, one or more RSS (Really Simple Syndication) variables for the publishing of the podcast, a podcast feed, wherein the podcast automation interface is used to create or update a local copy of one or more of: an RSS file or a web feed and distribute the podcast over a network.

Abstract: A sales gateway controls transactions between advertising buyers and advertising platforms. A server coupled to the first and second interfaces implements a sales gateway to control transactions between the at least one advertising buyer and the at least one advertising platform responsive to a stored set of instructions. A memory coupled to the server stores the set of instructions for implementing the sales gateway. The stored set of instructions configuring the server to generate a link to provide a particular service responsive to a user request. The server validates information relating to a proposal and submits the proposal via the first interface using a pre-buy/proposal service of the sales gateway. The server transfers media content from the at least one advertising buyer to the at least one advertising platform using a media service of the sales gateway.

Abstract: A system for managing advertising media by a cable network provider includes a content provider interface for downloading advertising media from advertising media content providers. A database stores the advertising media. A processor configures an advertising media management system responsive to a stored set of instructions. A memory coupled to the processor has data and a set of instructions for implementing an advertising media management system. The data includes the advertising inventory data and the set of instructions configuring the processor to provide a number of controllers. A management dashboard controller controls a presentation of a plurality of graphical reports relating to available advertising media within the database using a management dashboard controller. A required media controller generates a list of received advertising media that have not been encoded.

Abstract: A system for managing cable network advertising inventory includes a network interface for connecting to a plurality of remote data sources. A processor coupled to the network interface for implementing an inventory management system responsive to a stored set of instructions. A memory coupled to the processor. The memory storing data and a set of instructions for implementing the inventory management system. The data including the advertising inventory data.

Abstract: An improved automated media scheduling system includes a conditional scheduler operating in cooperation with the at least one master scheduler to obtain a contextual condition associated with a conditional media item, and devoid of entity identification information. Satisfying the contextual condition is a prerequisite to pairing the conditional media item with another media item. The conditional scheduler obtains an original schedule generated by the master scheduler, identifies a scheduled media item, from the original schedule, that satisfies the contextual condition, pairs the conditional media item and the scheduled media item to generate a media item pair, and transmits a proposed scheduling change, including the media item pair, to the master scheduler. The master scheduler evaluates the proposed scheduling change for compliance with scheduling rules.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created and published as a podcast. The publishing includes a podcast automation interface defining: a web syndication format, one or more RSS (Really Simple Syndication) channels for the publishing of the podcast, one or more RSS (Really Simple Syndication) variables for the publishing of the podcast, a podcast feed, wherein the podcast automation interface is used to create or update a local copy of one or more of: an RSS file or a web feed and distribute the podcast over a network.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created, a relationship is defined between the media events, the media events are merged into a composite media event and published.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system and method for validating adcopy instructions. A user selection of an advertising client may be received. One or more advertising orders associated with the advertising client are identified in an order management system. A selection of an advertising order is received from the user. A set of adcopy instructions to be associated with the selected advertising contract is received from the user. The set of adcopy instructions are validated based on one or more rules associated with each of the order management system and a traffic and billing system. When the adcopy instructions are validated, the adcopy instructions are stored in a database associated with the traffic and billing system.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system and method for validating adcopy instructions. A user selection of an advertising client may be received. One or more advertising orders associated with the advertising client are identified in an order management system. A selection of an advertising order is received from the user. A set of adcopy instructions to be associated with the selected advertising contract is received from the user. The set of adcopy instructions are validated based on one or more rules associated with each of the order management system and a traffic and billing system. When the adcopy instructions are validated, the adcopy instructions are stored in a database associated with the traffic and billing system.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created, a relationship is defined between the media events, the media events are merged into a composite media event and published.

Abstract: Advertisements can be paired based on their context to achieve increased advertising effectiveness that might not be able to be achieved without the pairing. The advertisements can be paired based on a user's preferred context, which includes an attribute of one of the advertisements. For example, a conditional advertisement can be paired with a scheduled advertisement based on an industry type, the length of the other advertisement, or some other characteristic. Each characteristic can be given a weight, to aid in pairing determinations. The effectiveness of the pairing can be tracked, and the context can be iteratively modified based on the measured effectiveness of the advertising campaign. Pairing can be performed without identifying other advertisers, even though weighting factors may take a sponsor's identity into account. Pairing can be constrained by a master schedule and by a maximum allowed number of conditional spots.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created, a relationship is defined between the media events, the media events are merged into a composite media event and published.