Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes defining a directed acyclic graph that models a social network. The directed acyclic graph can have a set of alteration nodes that collectively define a joint probability. The method also includes predicting an outcome associated with a proposed alteration with the social network based on the directed acyclic graph. The proposed alteration can be associated with an alteration node from the set of alteration nodes. The method further includes sending an indication of the outcome such that an advertising campaign for the social network includes the proposed alteration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modeling the cognitive impact of content displayed on a first device on a user engaged with a second device. An exemplary method involves obtaining activity by the user associated with the second device when content is displayed on the first device, determining an impact metric for the content, and correlating the impact metric with the user activity for the user. In another embodiment, an exemplary content-management system includes a campaign-management system to provide content displayed on a first device and an impact-modeling system to capture user activity on a second device when the content is displayed on the first device, determine an impact metric for the content, and correlate the impact metric to the user activity for the user.

Abstract: An advertising system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an advertising display configured to provide an advertisement to potential customers and a camera configured to capture images of the potential customers when the potential customers pass the advertising display. The system may also include an image processing system having a processor and a memory. The memory may include application instructions for execution by the processor, and the image processing system may be configured to execute the application instructions to derive usage characteristics of the potential customers with respect to the advertising display through analysis of the captured images. Additional methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for campaign management. A method includes: presenting a user interface to a sponsor for customizing targeting information for a campaign including a control for specifying targeting criteria, where at least one targeting criterion includes a presence of a user in a prescribed geographic location or an indication of an interest by a user in the location; receiving a selection from the sponsor of targeting criteria to be associated with the campaign including a selection of one or both of user presence and interest; evaluating content delivery options for presenting content associated with the campaign including determining for a given content request whether a user is present or merely interested in a geographic location; and serving content from the campaign when a content item request satisfies the targeting criteria for the campaign.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for estimating demographic compositions of television audiences from audience similarities. In an aspect, pairwise cosine similarities of segment of viewers of rated and unrated television programs are determined, demographic information of rated programs is attributed to the unrated programs from the cosine similarity measures and demographic information for the rated programs.

Abstract: An online advertising system receives ads from advertisers, which may also provide associated budgets, time period constraints, impressions goals, and performance weightings for the ads. When an ad is requesting from the advertising system from a client, a bid may be determined for each ad based on the budget associated the ad and/or the impressions goal associated with the ad. Ad performance associated with the ad request may be predicted, and a bid may be determined for each ad based on the performance weightings and the predicted performance associated with the ad request. The bid for an ad may be weighted by the pace of budget consumption by the ad, or by the pace of the ad progressing towards the ad's impression goal. An ad is selected for display to the client from among the one or more ads based on the determined bids for the ads.

Abstract: A system determines an extent to which advertisements are presented or updated within a document, a quality of an advertiser associated with an advertisement provided within the document, whether an advertisement in the document relates to an advertising document that has more than a threshold amount of traffic, and/or an extent to which an advertisement provided within the document generates user traffic to an advertising document related to the advertisement. The system generates a score for the document based, at least in part, on the extent to which advertisements are presented or updated, the quality of the advertiser associated with the advertisement, whether the advertisement relates to an advertising document that has more than the threshold amount of traffic, and/or the extent to which the advertisement generates user traffic to the advertising document. The system ranks the document with regard to at least one other document based on the score.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving an image of a product. Searching web content using a search query based on the image of the product. Receiving search results including a plurality of uniform resource locators (URL) based on the web content search using the image of the product. Identifying one or more advertising campaigns comprise at least one advertisement that includes a URL in the plurality of URLs. Obtaining one or more keywords associated with the one or more advertising campaigns. Determining a list of suggested keywords for the product based on the obtained one or more keywords. Providing the list of suggested keywords.

Abstract: A system for tracking telephone calls made in response to advertising campaigns in electronic or other media is provided. The system permits an advertiser to associate specific and distinct telephone numbers with associated advertising campaigns. The system further modifies advertiser-provided information in response to the advertising campaign to which a potential customer responds, and includes the associated telephone number in the modified advertiser information. The system processes telephone calls made to the selected telephone numbers, and provides reports to advertisers of call data associated with the respective advertising campaigns.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for establishing a control group from members a given population by identifying, for each member of the test group, an “unexposed twin”. In general, the unexposed twin of a test group member is the person that is most similar to the test group member, from among the members of the population that have not been exposed to the relevant marketing efforts. Preferably, the twins of each member of the population are pre-computed by mapping relevant attributes of the member to N-dimensional space. The “twin mapping” thus produced is then used to identify a control group candidate when a member of the population becomes exposed to marketing efforts for which testing is being performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing an advertisement are provided. In one embodiment, an advertisement distribution device comprises a database manager configured to select an advertisement to be retrieved from a database. The advertisement is selected based on at least a time when the advertisement is to be run. The advertisement distribution device further comprises an interface device configured to transmit the advertisement to a ticket printing device.

Abstract: An online experience of a user is dynamically configured at the micro-regional level based to achieve an objective associated with sales of a product. A catchment zone is determined, which identifies the geographic region associated with the objective and the product. The online user experience for users in the catchment zone is modified to achieve the objective.

Abstract: A system may present dynamic content to an e-mail recipient in the form of an image implementing frame-sequence animation. Each frame may present an offer to the recipient. Upon selection of an offer, the system may determine which offer the recipient selected by determining which frame was displayed when the recipient responded. The e-mail may include an image URI specifying a frame-sequence animation image. The image URI may include an identifier, which may allow the system to determine when the recipient opened the e-mail message, and a link URI, which may also include the identifier. When the recipient indicates a response to an offer, the system may associate the link URI with the image URI and may determine to which offer the recipient was responding.

Abstract: A mobile handset collects sensor data about the physiological state of the user of the handset. The mobile handset receives mobile advertising. In a deployment phase the sensor data is used to classify the user's emotional response to the advertising. A classification model may be used to map sensor data to classification labels indicative of the user's emotional response to an advertisement. That classification model may be based on associations determined during a training phase. The method, system, and apparatus permits real-time feedback to publishers and advertisers of the response of users of mobile handsets to mobile advertising.

Abstract: A system to control an advertisement rank includes a storage device, an advertisement identifying unit stored on the storage device and configured to identify advertisements, the identified advertisements corresponding to a keyword, an affiliate advertisement identifying unit configured to identify an affiliate advertisement among the identified advertisements, the affiliate advertisement being associated with a user benefit, and a rank index calculating unit comprising a processor configured to calculate a rank index of the affiliate advertisement based on a value of the user benefit. A method for controlling an advertisement rank includes determining multiple advertisements corresponding to a keyword, identifying an affiliate advertisement among the identified advertisements, the affiliate advertisement being associated with a user benefit, and calculating, by the processor, a rank index of the affiliate advertisement based on a value of the user benefit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing enhanced campaign tracking One method includes identifying an inbound communication from a responding entity associated with a particular campaign, the inbound communication associated with at least one outbound communication associated with the particular campaign and identifying at least one selected response option in the inbound communication. The identified at least one selected response option is associated with a corresponding semantic meaning defined for the particular campaign. A new instance of a campaign inbound object associated with the identified inbound communication is instantiated, where the new instance of the campaign inbound object associated with a set of information related to the inbound communication.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for determining memorability of one or more audio and/or visual content items. In the system of the invention, one or more presentation devices are used to present the audio and/or visual content items to one or more individuals. A monitoring apparatus monitors a level of neural stimulation in one or both of the precuneus and the superior temporal sulcus (STS) of an individual during exposure of the individual to the audio and/or visual content items, and generates data indicative of the level of stimulation of one or both of the precuneus and the STS in the individual. A CPU processes the data generated by the monitoring apparatus from one or more individuals to calculate one or more memorability scores of each of the one or more content items presented to the individual.

Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for modifying an estimate value includes determining a first estimate value based on a plurality of values relating to a first entity. The method includes determining a second estimate value for at least one second entity identified as a peer of the first entity. The method includes modifying the first estimate value using the second estimate value.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for measuring packaging effectiveness based on video-based analysis of people in the vicinity of a plurality of package concepts. The present invention measures the response of people to the different packaging concepts, wherein the quantified response measurement shows the ability of the packaging concepts to attract, engage, and motivate people to purchase. The video-based analysis comprises behavior analysis, demographic analysis, and emotion change detection in response to the package effectiveness. The present invention captures a plurality of input images of the people in the vicinity of a plurality of package concepts by a plurality of means for capturing images. The plurality of input images is processed in order to understand the effectiveness of packaging design and changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for publishers to barter advertisement space inventory and advertisements with other publishers by transmitting an advertisement from a first publisher for display on available advertisement space inventory of a second publisher, where the advertisement is transmitted to the second publisher in exchange for credits of the first publisher previously earned for displaying other advertisements for other publishers. An advertisement and a bid amount are received from a first publisher, and an identification of an available advertisement space inventory is received from a second publisher. The advertisement is matched with the available inventory. A credit amount for the first publisher is deducted based on monitored performance of the advertisement displayed by the second publisher, and a credit amount for the second publisher is added based on the monitored performance of the advertisement displayed by the second publisher.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media to monitor a marketing campaign are disclosed. An example method includes calculating a breakthrough metric based on a weighted average of an aided awareness score and an unaided awareness score, the breakthrough metric indicating a level of awareness of a film among consumers. The example method includes calculating a persuasion metric based on a weighted average of a first choice score and a definite interest score, the persuasion metric indicating a level of interest in the film among consumers. The example method includes generating a report reflecting an effectiveness of the marketing campaign based on the breakthrough metric and the persuasion metric.

Abstract: A system obtains a first parameter (QP1) associated with a quality of an advertisement among multiple advertisements, where the first quality parameter (QP1) does not include a click through rate (CTR). The system functionally combines the first quality parameter (QP1) with at least one other parameter and uses the functional combination to filter, rank or promote the advertisement among the multiple advertisements.

Abstract: Online behavior of users related to a product is captured. Also, offline sales for the product is also captured. Geo-location parameters are also determined for the captured online and offline data. Using the geo-location parameters and captured data for the product, a smallest geo-location parameter of statistical significance for estimating an impact of the online behavior on offline sales is determined.

Abstract: A media posting system and method for managing a media advertising order with respect to a media outlet are disclosed. The media advertising order can be ordered via a media ordering application. Exact time data with respect to the media outlet can be extracted from a traffic sub-system. Exact time data can be stored in a database and linked with the ordered spot. Audience delivery data obtained from a rating unit can be merged into the database and linked with the ordered spot and the exact time data. A report with respect to the ordered spot can be generated and displayed on a user interface by comparing the estimated audience delivery data associated with the media advertising order to an actual audience delivery data. At least one of the reports may be based on at least one of: a market criterion; a media station criterion; and a national buy criterion.

Abstract: An advertisement perception predictor may forecast the effectiveness of an online advertisement in a web page by predicting whether the online advertisement may be perceived by a consumer. The advertisement perception predictor may use a perception model that is trained for determining perception probability values of online advertisements. The perception model may be applied to an online advertisement to determine a perception probability value for the online advertisement. The perception probability value may indicate the likelihood that a consumer is likely to view the online advertisement.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter includes, inter alia, a system and method of associating between a media source advertizing a given app and a respective app event of the given app. information indicative of an app event of the given app executed by a given device is received and data elements characterizing the given device and generating a fingerprint identifying the given device are obtained. The generated fingerprint is compared with at least one other previously generated fingerprint and based on the result of this comparison it is determined whether both fingerprints identify the same device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide an electronic marketplace that matches units of content from secondary content providers with suitable vacancies from primary content providers. Vacancies may constitute, or be included in, any digital transmission containers, such as a television or radio programming, web pages, and the like. Specifically, the electronic marketplace automatically matches content offered by secondary content providers with vacancies offered by primary content providers thus filling the vacancies in these containers through a real-time content trading, placement, and distribution system. To do so, attributes associated with the vacancies and with units of secondary content are used to trade and match suitable vacancies with suitable content. This invention enables both secondary content owners and vacancy owners (primary content providers) to obtain the full commercial benefit of their secondary content and containers.

Abstract: A method converts online data into quantitative measures of reach and frequency. Gross Rating Points, Targeted Rating Points, frequency, targeted cost per thousand, and average advertising cost per person may be determined using data to measure the percent of non-country respondents receiving and gathering incidence of age, sex, income and other variables used to define target audience. Data may be merged to calculate GRP delivery by geographic region for the purpose of integrating online advertising into a marketing mix analysis. Over-samples may be used within events to measure different respondents' pre and post the event to measure incrementality of event. The total event attendance may be estimated and used to weight the over-sample back into the overall sample. Discrete media groupings may be used to identify the dilution of effects inherent in scaling thereby increasing the accuracy of projected results.

Abstract: A method of dynamic content distribution and placement of advertising between a mobile device and an advertisement fulfillment system comprising providing a rotation of advertisements stored in the mobile device. Each advertisement comprises substantive content and a value in an impression field. The method further comprises selecting an advertisement from the rotation of advertisements based at least in part on which advertisement in the rotation was last displayed, and displaying the selected advertisement.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically analyzing the impact of a treatment of interest is disclosed. Data related to a treatment of interest and a population including a treated group and a non-treated group is received. Propensity scores are estimated for the treated group and the non-treated group. Subgroups of the treated group and the non-treated group are matched based on the propensity scores. An outcome model is generated for each subgroup of the non-treated group, and an impact of the treatment on the treated group is generated for each subgroup of the treated group using the outcome model generated for the matching subgroup of the control group. Outcome models may be generated for the treated group and the non-treated group, and an impact of the treatment on the population may be generated based on the propensity scores and the outcome models for the test group and the non-treated group.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of interaction between first user working at the first computer system and second user, working at the second computer system, said first and second computer systems can intercommunicate with each other by means of communication modules, said method comprising the following steps: obtaining information, at a first computer system, about first user interaction with one or more computer programs and with corresponding data, stored at the first computer system; sending to the second computer system, all or part of the information about the first user interaction with one or more programs and corresponding data; receiving, all or part of the information about the first user interaction with one or more programs and corresponding data; analyzing all or part of the received information; choosing one of the preliminarily created scenarios or politics of further promotion or development of products or services on the base of performed analysis.

Abstract: A system and method searches, identifies, tests and/or evaluates websites and content related ads for suitability. The results can be used to identify and promote services to prospective advertising affiliates as part of an advertising campaign.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the influence of marketing assets upon an individual are analyzed. In particular, a record of the individual's interactions with a first marketing asset of a first marketing campaign may be stored in a database. Thereafter, the database may be queried to determine whether the individual interacted with the first marketing asset in accordance with defined criteria. If so, the individual may be associated with the first marketing campaign.

Abstract: A social marketing system may have an incentive system that may be optimized dynamically for each user during the course of a marketing campaign. The social marketing system may use a simulated model of social interactions to predict the performance of a marketing campaign and may use the output of the simulation to adjust incentives during a campaign for various users, as well as use the actual results of changes in incentives as feedback to the simulation. The simulation may assume several different types of users within the social network and that several types of financial and non-financial incentives may be applied to different users. Some embodiments may use machine learning algorithms to analyze actual results and feed those results into the simulation. The system may be able to categorize users into the simulated types and adjust incentives according to the models associated with those types of users.

Abstract: An apparatus having, a communications interface, a memory to store processor-executable instructions, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one communications interface and a memory. Upon execution of the processor-executable instructions, the processor may receive user interaction data, that includes content items and conversion items, where a conversion item is a user action that satisfies a predetermined conversion criteria. The apparatus receives conversion data including conversion path data for a plurality of conversion paths, such that each conversion path includes user interaction data prior to and including a conversion event. The apparatus determines a first and second distribution data that includes a metric that is determined based on one or more events associated with the advertisement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selling one or more advertisements and displaying the one or more advertisements a fixed placement for a set duration of time on a web page within an Internet website in combination with displaying advertisements from the same advertiser in contextually relevant locations within the website.

Abstract: A method for distributing advertisement data to display terminal devices from a distribution server via a relay server. The relay server receives status notifications of the display terminal devices and transmits a tenor of receipt of the status notifications to the display terminal devices. The distribution server receiving status notifications and transmits the tenor of receipt of the status notifications to the relay server. The distribution server determines whether the reproduction schedule of the advertisement data has been changed and transmits a notification on a change. If the distribution server receives a request for acquisition of the as-changed reproduction schedule, the distribution server sends the as-changed reproduction schedule to the relay server. If the relay server determines that the reproduction schedule acquired from the distribution server has been changed, the relay server transmits the notification on the change of the reproduction schedule.

Abstract: Method of searching and inserting sales campaigns records into a consumer diary associated with a consumer. The steps include a computer searching a repository for active sales campaign records satisfying search criteria received from a consumer through a browser executing on a device; the computer displaying a list of sales campaign records which satisfies the search criteria; the computer receiving a click indication from the consumer using the browser executing on the device, selecting a sales campaign record from the list; the computer inserting the sales campaign record into the consumer diary; and the computer recording an identification of the consumer from which the click indication originated, a time, and the sales campaign record selected. If the sales campaign record inserted into the consumer diary is not eligible for free inserts into the consumer diary, the computer deducting an amount from a merchant budget coupled to the sales campaign record.

Abstract: A data processing system is described wherein use of resources in the system is metered. Metering evidence is generated which is difficult to forge and is, thus, relatively resistant to tampering. Such a system finds application, for example, in the field of metering the amount of time a person spends reading advertisement that are published on the World Wide Web. If reliable, such metering evidence may be used by the owner of the web server that contains the advertisement to bill the originator of the advertisement.

Abstract: A social marketing system may measure the performance of marketing campaigns using the effective click through rates that include impressions that are due to propagation of items through social networks. A social marketing system may track an initial effectiveness in starting a campaign, as well as track the propagation of the campaign information through multiple social networks. The effectiveness of the campaign may be measured using the effective click through rates for various target audiences. The social marketing system may create links to advertising materials and thereby track interactions when users click through the links to interact with the materials. The effectiveness of the social media campaign may be based in part by measuring the actual or estimated number of impressions through social media networks.

Abstract: Effects of content communications propagated to users of a social networking system may be tracked and measured by the social networking system. Identifiers of content presented to a user within a time period prior to an action performed by the user are recorded in a first label object associated with the action. The action performed by the user generates new content to be presented to other users. The identifiers of the new content and the first label object are recorded in new label objects associated with actions performed by the other users subsequent to viewing the new content. Various metrics may be determined by analyzing the label objects associated with actions performed by users of the social networking system, including virality, reach, and identifying users that share a particular content item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, and associated system, of determining contextually relevant advertisements to serve to a web page, the method comprising steps of providing a content database of content associated with web pages; storing keywords having bids associated therewith, the keywords being associated with advertisements; storing a plurality of advertisements associated with different keywords and/or advertisement-keyword combinations; analysing a web page and extracting prominent terms therefrom; comparing each extracted prominent term with keywords stored in the keyword database and/or advertisement-keyword combinations to determine and store a relevance score for each identified keyword; searching all content stored in the content database for each identified keyword having active bids, assigning and storing further relevance scores to identified keyword respectively in terms of a relevance to the content stored in the content database; and using the stored relevance scores for the identified key

Abstract: A cost-per-second (CPS) based technology for Internet advertising is introduced. In one embodiment, the systems and methods described herein improve efficiency and efficacy of Internet based advertisements. Efficiency is improved by making advertisements relevant to the user; decreasing loss or waste in advertisement space and opportunity for the publisher; and displaying advertisements only for an appropriate duration and being charged according to actual duration for the advertiser. In embodiments, the cost for a certain branding effect can be measured and used with higher accuracy. In embodiments where multiple advertisements are shown simultaneously or at various timings, the technology introduced here provides unique bidding models to allow an advertiser to bid for advertising space, of an advertisement display. The bidding models incorporate bidding based on CPS, a function of CPS and cost-per-click, effective CPS, etc.

Abstract: A user is associated with profile information indicating a level of interest in a plurality of topic categories. To obtain an advertisement for a preferred category, the client requests advertisements data from two servers. A request to one of the ad servers includes a user preferred category and a number of other categories. A request to the other ad server includes only the other categories. After the servers send advertisements corresponding to the categories in the requests, a difference is determined between the received advertisements, which produces the advertisement for the preferred category. In some embodiments, a single request is made to a server for a number of advertisements, those advertisements corresponding to the user's profile information are provided a higher likelihood of display in accordance with the advertisement's similarity to the user's profile.

Abstract: The invention is a computer-implementable methodology for quantitatively assessing the impact of paid search advertising on the total visits (paid and organic search-based visits) from search engines and utilizing this assessment to improve search engine marketing performance. The methodology relies on the computation of a synergy score for each search engine keyword of interest or coefficients in a synergy equation. Once computed, the score can be used to repeatedly compute the total return on advertising spend (ROAS) and other performance metrics on a go-forward basis without the time lag inherent in computing the synergy score itself. The invention includes specific computer-implementable methods for improving search engine marketing performance based on the total (paid plus organic) performance metrics.

Abstract: Effective virtual reality environments including in-store virtual reality environments such as supermarket aisles, store shelves, cooler displays, etc. are generated using frameworks and customer layout information. Marketing materials are integrated with the virtual reality environment while introducing imperfections and/or other cues of realism to create a virtual reality environment representation. Imperfections may include misaligned marketing materials, product label blemishes, packages placed slightly askew, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment representation elicit interactivity with a user and user movements, motions, and responses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing materials and/or the virtual reality environment representations.

Abstract: A system and method for promoting commercial-media advertising and generating advertising revenue on the Internet is disclosed that enables creators of digital-media content to buy and sell media content and exhibition time directly through an online electronic marketplace. The system and method provide a platform allowing commercial advertising media buyers to both bid for and buy exhibition time directly from exhibition sellers who exhibit their videos on the Internet; and provides digital-video exhibition sellers the platform to both offer for sale and sell exhibition time directly to bidding advertising media buyers. The Invention recognizes that digital-video content creators can and do exhibit their own video content on a multitude of sites on the Internet, and in that respect, have the potential to attach a commercial element to their video content and receive monetary compensation from commercial sponsors for the product's exhibition.

Abstract: A system presents stimulus materials such as products, product packages, displays, services, offerings, etc., in virtual reality environments such as market aisles, store shelves, showroom floors, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment elicit user interactivity. User activity and responses are used to modify marketing materials and/or virtual reality environments. Neuro-response data including electroencephalography (EEG) data is collected from users in order to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing materials in virtual reality environments. In particular examples, neuro-response data is used to modify marketing materials and virtual reality environments presented to the user.

Abstract: A system identifies the location of a user and presents location aware stimulus material to the user. Discounts, promotions, and advertising can be delivered to the user on a wireless device based on location and path information. Stimulus material on in store monitors, billboards, and displays are modified based on information about individuals near the monitors and displays. In particular embodiments, neuro-response data is collected using a portable electroencephalography (EEG) headset while a user is exposed to stimulus materials to allow the effectiveness of the stimulus material to be determined. Stimulus materials presented can also be evaluated for neuro-response effectiveness prior to presentation to users in a location aware and personalized manner.

Abstract: Keyword suggestions that are category-aware (and field-proven) may be used to help advertisers better target the serving of their ads, and may reduce unused ad spot inventory. The advertiser can enter ad information, such as a creative, a landing Webpage, other keywords, etc. for example. A keyword facility may use this entered ad information as seed information to infer one or more categories. It may then request that the advertiser confirm or deny some basic feedback information (e.g., categories, Webpage information, etc.). For example, an advertiser may be provided with candidate categories and may be asked to confirm (e.g., using checkboxes) which of the categories are relevant to their ad. Keywords may be determined using at least the categories. The determined keywords may be provided to the advertiser as suggested keywords, or may automatically populate ad serving constraint information as targeting keywords.