Abstract: A method for a central server for providing a promotion to a plurality of application servers includes receiving from a user at a client system a promotion identifier for the promotion, receiving a specification of an offer type for the promotion from the user, receiving a promotion targeting specification for the promotion from the user, receiving a specification of a method for delivering the promotion to the plurality of application servers, forming a specification for the promotion in response to the promotion identifier, the offer type, the promotion targeting specification, and the method for delivering the promotion, storing the specification in a tangible memory, and transmitting the promotion to the plurality of application servers.

Abstract: A method for promoting products with a central server over a computer network includes receiving a specification of a promotion for a product from a first computer, creating an electronic incentive in response to the specification, transferring the electronic incentive to an application server across the computer network, the application server coupled to a merchant server, receiving usage data of the electronic incentive from the application server, the usage data determined in response to a promotion usage condition indicated by the merchant server, and generating a report in response to the usage data, wherein data associated with the electronic incentive is transferred from the application server to the merchant server, wherein the merchant server specifies rendering of the data associated with the electronic incentive, and wherein the promotion usage condition is indicated in the merchant server when a user coupled thereto fulfills requirements of the electronic incentive.