Abstract: A system and method maximize profits by determining the optimal combination of sale price for a product and bids for advertising. The system and method address the non-linear relationship between product pricing and advertising through an advertising bidding system. In particular, a seller sells a product at a plurality of sale prices and buys the at least one advertisement by submitting a plurality of bid prices to the at least one advertising venue, resulting in a combination of bid prices for the at least one advertisement at each of the plurality of sale prices. Data from advertising with each of the at least one advertisement is collected. Then, a non-linear model for pricing and bidding is determined from the collected data, and an optimal price for the product and an optimal advertising bid for each of the at least one advertisement is determined from the non-linear model.

Abstract: The World Wide Web portion of the Internet is largely supported by advertising. To deliver the most effective advertising, a system for dynamically creating customized advertisements is introduced. The behavior and any demographic information known about web viewers is used to select an advertising template that will be used to create an advertisement. The advertisement template comprises an incomplete advertisement with certain missing information along with identifiers for functions that may be used to complete the advertisement. In one embodiment, the functions may specify how the advertiser associated with the advertisement template may be contacted with the demographic information known about the user in order to fill in the missing portions of advertisement template. For example, the advertisement may concern flights to Hawaii and the advertiser may fill in the price of a flight to Hawaii based upon being provided with the user's location. The complete advertisement may then be displayed to the user.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices for providing and filtering keyword stacks are provided. In embodiments, the method includes receiving an indication to display a set of keyword stacks. Each of the keyword stacks is associated with a different internet advertising metric. Keyword data associated with each of the internet advertising metrics is referenced. Thereafter, the keyword data associated with each of the internet advertising metrics is utilized to generate each of the keyword stacks. In some cases, each of the keyword stacks includes a set of horizontal bars vertically stacked with each horizontal bar representing a number of keywords falling within a particular metric measurement, or range thereof, corresponding with a vertical axis.

Abstract: A method in a networked system for comparing advertising products includes a processor configured to sampling an impression inventory database to produce a first set of impression samples represented by a first product, and a second set of impression samples represented by a second product. The processor is also configured to determine the percentage of the first set of impression samples that are represented by a second product and also the percentage of the second set of impression samples that are represented by the first product. The processor selects the minimum percentage of the two percentages, where the minimum percentage defines the similarity between the first product and the second product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing the effectiveness of one or more advertisements. The method may include conducting a plurality of point-of-sale transactions. In conjunction with these transactions, an advertisement may be presented a first number of times. Each time the advertisement is presented, it may contain a machine-readable code encoded with an identification unique to the advertisement. A computer system may receive first data identifying the number of times the advertisement is presented. The computer system may further receive second data identifying the number of times a machine-readable code encoded with the identification is scanned by a customer. Accordingly, the computer system may calculate and display a success rate for the advertisement.

Abstract: A social networking system modifies targeting criteria for an advertising campaign received form an advertiser using performance of completed advertising campaigns with similar characteristics. Completed advertising campaigns having similar targeting criteria to a received advertising campaign are identified. For example, completed advertising campaigns with targeting criteria matching, or associated with, targeting criteria from the received advertising campaign are identified. The social networking system determines an estimated amount to spend on the received advertising campaign based on the amount spent for the completed advertising campaigns, the social networking system. A received budget for the received advertising campaign is compared to the estimated amount to spend, and the social networking system may suggest modifications to the targeting criteria to optimize use of the budget based on performance of the completed advertising campaigns.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting thumbnail images to display with text advertisements. In one aspect, a method includes identifying landing page non-textual content items from a landing page to which the textual content item links and which a user device requests when the textual content item is selected at the user device; for each landing page non-textual content item, determining a relevance measure that measures the relevance of the landing page non-textual content item to the content of the landing page; selecting one or more of the landing page non-textual content items for display with the textual content item based on the relevance measures of the landing page non-textual content items; and storing, in a data storage system, data associating the selected landing page non-textual contents with the textual content items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for placing ads in a block on a webpage are disclosed. Generally, two ranking models are trained using a first and second ads data set. The first model predicts a first click probability for each ad in the first ads data and rank the ads based on the eCPM. The second model is trained using the second ads data set comprising a subset of the first ads data set and interaction features related to ad position in the block. The second model predicts a second click probability for each ad in the second ads data set. An overall expected revenue for each arrangement of ads in the second ads data set is then calculated. The computer system selects the arrangement with maximum computed overall expected revenue and places the ads in the block on the webpage according to the selected arrangement.

Abstract: A method analyzes preferences of one or more participants. Each of the participants may be presented with a plurality of evaluation items that illustrate various marketing options. Response data from the participants that indicates at least an approach, if any, toward the evaluation items is obtained. An approach entropy value may be generated for the marketing options based on the response data for each participant. A relative preference order for each participant for the marketing options may be determined from the generated approach entropy values.

Abstract: A method of delivering targeted on-line advertising to an end user of a computer network system comprises creating an advertisement campaign having a plurality of dimensions associated therewith, obtaining end user data based upon engagement of the end user with the network system, profiling advertisement content available on the network system to identify specific items of advertisement content that are compatible with the advertising campaign, for each item of compatible advertisement content, utilizing the end user data and metrics associated with the plurality of dimensions associated with the advertisement campaign to develop an effectiveness measurement, and utilizing the effectiveness measurements to select at least one item of compatible advertisement content for display to the end user.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering content of a webpage served from a content provider's server (32). The method includes: receiving a data request at a proxy server (22) over a wireless telecommunication network (20), the data request being initiated by a mobile device (10) served by the wireless network (20); forwarding the request from the proxy server (22) to the content provider's server (32) over the Internet (30) such that the content provider's server (32) returns a webpage with original content contained therein in response to the forwarded request; receiving the returned webpage at the proxy server (22); altering the original content of the webpage received by the proxy server (22); and, forwarding the webpage with the altered content to the mobile device (10) initiating the data request.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that select advertisements for placement on a series of consecutively-accessed web pages, such as consecutively-accessed web search results pages generated in response to a particular search. The systems and methods perform a separate advertisement ranking process to select advertisements for placement on each web page in the series of consecutively-accessed web pages at the time the web page is accessed. For web pages that follow the first web page in the series, the systems and methods utilize an advertisement ranking technique that calculates a probability that a user will select an advertisement based on certain user selection feedback features. The user selection feedback features for an advertisement are determined by comparing attributes of the advertisement to attributes of user-selectable items that were presented on one or more of the previously-accessed web pages in the series that are known to have been selected or not selected by the user.

Abstract: An interpersonal electronic advertising system is described. The system is configured to enable an ad suggester to create and send an interpersonal ad for a product or service to an ad recipient. The interpersonal ad can lead to a purchase of the product or the service by the ad recipient and in response the system can compensate the ad suggester. In particular embodiments, the system can be configured to output one or more interpersonal ads to an ad recipient at any one time. The amount of ads that can be output at a time can be limited to a particular number where a number of available interpersonal ads is greater than the particular number. The system can be configured to rank the available interpersonal ads and output the better ranking interpersonal ads first.

Abstract: In a computing system, key figures are made available for selection in an electronic data repository. The key figures are selectable by any of a plurality of distributed systems. A request for a key figure value calculation is received from one of the distributed systems, and request is made for an identifier of one of the key figures. Data is accessed for the key figure from at least one electronic data source, and the data is used to compute a value for the key figure. The value for the key figure is stored in an electronic storage location.

Abstract: This specification relates to tracking phone calls related to online content items. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of determining a probability that a call to a phone number resulted from a first interaction of a set of interactions. In general, another aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of determining a rank score for an online content item, including for each call of a plurality of phone calls to the phone number, attributing the call to an online content interaction of a set of online content interactions; determining, using the rank score, whether to provide the online content item to a client device; and providing the online content item to the client device upon determining to do so using the rank score.

Abstract: A method of allocating a current incentive to a portion of a population includes identifying a plurality of group features of the population based on retention data, clustering members of the population into a plurality of groups having similar risk profiles based on the plurality of group features and a plurality of categorical factors, dividing each of the plurality of groups into an experimental group and a control group respectively corresponding to members of the population that have received a previous incentive and that have not received the previous incentive, computing an effectiveness score of the previous incentive for each group based on a comparison of the corresponding experimental group and the corresponding control group, and generating a set of potential target groups for the new incentive based on the effectiveness scores.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing advertising in a virtual world. An inventory list identifying a plurality of virtual objects is provided. A selection of one or more virtual objects from the inventory is received. An advertisement list identifying a plurality of advertisements is further provided. A selection of one or more advertisements from the advertisement list is further received. The selection of advertisements is placed on the selection of virtual objects in the virtual world.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method is provided for managing campaign effectiveness by a merchant. The method comprising: initiating a campaign by one or more merchants, accessing transaction data from one or more financial institutions, extracting metadata associated with the transaction data in accordance with at least one rule, analyzing the metadata to identify transaction data associated with the campaign and the one or more merchants, analyzing the transaction data associated with the campaign and the one or more merchants and providing information associated with the campaign to the merchant.

Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention relate to algorithms for computing the causal effect of position in search engine advertising listings on outcomes such as click-through rates and sales orders.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to assess marketing concepts prior to market participation. An example method includes determining a value for an explanatory variable (EV) associated with a new commercial offering, identifying a plurality of existing commercial offerings based on a similarity metric associated with the new commercial offering, identifying a rank of the new commercial offering based on a comparison between the EV value associated with the new commercial offering and EV values associated with the plurality of existing commercial offerings, and generating the probability of success for the new commercial offering based on the rank of the new commercial offering and in-market performance metrics associated with the plurality of existing commercial offerings.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium estimate media performance on advertising space inventory. The method selects at least one media cell that shares one or more common attributes with a target media cell. The method subsequently estimates mean revenue per impression (RPI) of the selected media cell, and then defines an initial estimate of a RPI of the target media cell based on the estimated RPI of the selected cell. The method computes the RPI of the target media cell by combining the initial RPI estimate for the target media cell with performance data associated with the target media cell.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein relate to creating and managing competitive campaigns for advertisement spaces on a web page. Competitive campaigns may take several forms, including boosting bids for advertisements to try an match the competitor's advertisement bids in an online auction, dynamically replacing the entity's advertisement being shown, or out-and-out refusing to show an advertisement whenever the competitor's advertisement is also shown.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for distributing advertising content with improved accessibility for users and with a reduced-cost architecture for the web site provider. An advertising service directory (ASD) intercepts advertising requests containing registered words and phrases so that their location can be determined in a data structure. Through user profile, web site preference or additional information in the reference data structure, the delivery format of the content can also be detected. The request is then forwarded to the provider, removing the need for the first web site provider to actually serve the advertising content. Users can use a phrase or format in order to “push” for advertising content. Thus, brand names and products can be accessible without the need to bid for ad placement. The effectiveness of advertising across many platforms can be increased by offering users an easier-to-remember retrieval method.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the effectiveness of an email campaign is described. The system and method may include the receipt of campaign data, the combination of the campaign data, and the determination of a campaign score and ranking based on the combined data. The determination of the campaign score and ranking may incorporate the use of a statistical model for testing similarity. The system and method may provide an indication of email message recipients' level of engagement with a particular campaign, as well as an indication of the effectiveness of a particular campaign as compared to that of other campaigns.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing advertisements. To maximize revenue, a plurality of ad networks are tiered based on their pricing data, and in one embodiment, their cost per thousand impressions (CPM). Each tier includes a pricing data range. Periodically, the system may increase and decrease frequency caps for the ad networks to adjust the ad networks in the tiers. Frequency caps may be increased for an ad network when the CPM for the ad network is above the CPM range for the ad network's tier. The frequency caps may be decreased for the ad network when the CPM for the ad network is below the CPM range for the ad network's tier. For each ad network request received, the system traverses through the tiers of the plurality of ad networks for an ad network that is capable of serving an ad based on the ad network's frequency cap.

Abstract: A system and method to analyze the effectiveness of advertisements of presented content. The advertisements include advertisements for which the behavior desired by the advertiser is to drive a viewer to perform a certain action, such as to watch particular television program content. The system determines if an advertisement is effective by correlating exposure to presented advertisements with the subsequent presentation of content that was promoted in the advertisements. To perform the analysis, the system collects tune data from set top boxes, digital video recorders (DVRs), or other component capable of storing tune data related to the content presented on an associated display component.

Abstract: A method to apply different treatments may include defining at least one treatment and selecting at least one channel. The method further may include applying the at least one treatment to the at least one selected channel.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for providing suggested transaction categories based on location. The system includes a computer apparatus including a processor and a memory; and a software module stored in the memory. The software module includes executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to determine a location of a user; access a database including a plurality of locations and associated transaction categories; determine at least one category associated with the location of the user using the database; and provide the at least one category to the user so that the user may categorize a transaction. In some embodiments, the system determines the category based on a combination of the location and a characteristic of the transaction or a previous input by the user. The system assists users in categorizing transactions so that the user is better able to track spending.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for managing execution of multiple campaigns. At least two campaigns are directed to a target. A monitor is associated with the target, and the at least two campaigns are delivered to the monitor, wherein at least one campaign is in a run mode and at least one campaign is in a wait mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating experiment content distribution campaigns (“experiment campaign”) and allocating content in accordance with the experiment campaign. In one aspect, a control campaign or an experiment campaign are selected as an available campaign for providing content in response to receiving a content request. The selection can be a probability constrained selection where the probability with which the experiment campaign is selected is specified as a portion of a total number of requests received during an experiment period for which the experiment campaign is available to provide content. Content is provided in response to the request, where the provided content being content corresponding to the selected campaign.

Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a method and an apparatus of automatic information placement. A server receives display location publishing information and determines a value index of a corresponding display location according to the received display location publishing information. When the server receives an information placement request, the server determines an investment index of corresponding placement information according to the received information placement request. The server compares one or more value indexes of display locations with one or more investment indexes of one or more placement information, and places respective placement information at a corresponding display location according to a comparison result. The present techniques improve the efficiency of placing information and optimizing resource deployment.

Abstract: A publication evaluation subsystem generates publication scores for publications. Each publication score is indicative of an expected performance for content that is presented with the publication. The publication scores are generated relative to a baseline performance measure. The baseline performance measure has a value that is indicative of an expected performance of any selected content presented with any publication in the content network. More than one publication score can be generated for each publication, with each publication score being indicative of the performance of a sub-group of content items that are presented with the publication. The sub-group of content items can include content items that each share a common characteristic. For example, a publication score can be generated for a sub-group of content items that are associated with common targeting criteria (e.g., keywords).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide computer program products, methods, and systems for providing an interactive interface to a particular agent of a plurality of call center agents. In various embodiments, display criteria for providing the interface are defined that relate to a performance parameter associated with the plurality of call center agents. Further, in various embodiments, interaction criteria for providing an opportunity to interact with the interface are defined that relate to a second performance parameter associated with the plurality of call center agents. Thus, in particular embodiments, the interactive interface is provided to the particular agent as a result of the agent having a measurement of the performance parameter meet the display criteria and/or a measurement of the second performance parameter meet the interaction criteria. Once the interactive interface has been provided, the agent may be awarded with an award based on the agent's interaction with the interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating experiment content distribution campaigns (“experiment campaign”) and allocating content in accordance with the experiment campaign. In one aspect, a control campaign or an experiment campaign are selected as an available campaign for providing content in response to receiving a content request. The selection can be a probability constrained selection where the probability with which the experiment campaign is selected is specified as a portion of a total number of requests received during an experiment period for which the experiment campaign is available to provide content. Content is provided in response to the request, where the provided content being content corresponding to the selected campaign.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, advertising response information is collected for a search keyword, the advertising response information being associated with a plurality of users and a plurality of ranked positions in a list of advertisements presented to users. A non-linear function may then be performed on the advertising response information to predict advertising response information for at least one rank position.

Abstract: A system determines neuro-response stimulus and stimulus attribute resonance. Stimulus material and stimulus material attributes such as communication, concept, experience, message, images, audio, pricing, and packaging are evaluated using neuro-response data collected with mechanisms such as Event Related Potential (ERP), Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding. Neuro-response data is analyzed to determine stimulus and stimulus attribute resonance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of presenting targeted content to consumers at a point of sale using a customer profile derived at least in part from consumer credit or debit card information transmitted from the point of sale.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to selecting an advertisement to be presented in an ad space of a webpage. A criterion (e.g., keyword, image, audio element, etc.) is selected to evoke the advertisement. In an embodiment, the criterion is selected based on a relevance of the criteria to a user, and not necessarily based solely on a relevance to the webpage. Whether a criterion should be used to evoke the advertisement might be based on various factors, such as the likelihood that the user will select a criterion-evoked advertisement, regardless of whether the criterion appears in among content of the webpage, and an expected gain of presenting the criterion-evoked advertisement.

Abstract: An online advertising selects online advertisements for display on a network location taking into account a probability that a candidate online advertisement will receive a click on a particular website. The system may determine a network location identity of the network location and transform a set of advertisements into a set of ranked advertisements. The system may determine an advertisement rank of a first advertisement among the set of ranked advertisements. The system then may generate a click probability value. The click probability value may reflect a click probability of the first advertisement by dividing an exponent of a weighted sum of the network location identity and the advertisement rank by one plus the exponent of the weighted sum of the network location identity and the advertisement rank.

Abstract: A “Quality-Based Ad Pricer” prices ads as a function of how users respond to a particular page and/or domain to which they are sent by an online advertisement. User experience is improved by ensuring that advertisements that are more relevant to a user are priced less than an ads which are less relevant to the user. In particular, a quality factor for each ad is determined as a property of the advertiser's site based on measured user behaviors with respect to that site. This quality factor is then used in ranking, selecting, and pricing ads in an automated online auction. Further, while ad aggregators are not excluded from the ad market by the pricing rules of the Quality-Based Ad Pricer, these rules ensure that there is a “level playing field” such that ads of merchants are not excluded by the ads of ad aggregators.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are described for optimizing the purchase of ad impressions across multiple content providers. A first candidate value for an effective cost per target user for an advertising campaign that includes providing advertisements on at least a first website and a second website can be identified. A first cost associated with achieving the first candidate value for the effective cost per target user at the first website can be determined. A second cost associated with achieving the first candidate value for the effective cost per target user at the second website can be determined. A total advertising campaign cost can be calculated using the first cost and the second cost. The calculated total advertising campaign cost can be compared to a predetermined advertising campaign budget and a second candidate value for the effective cost per target user can be identified based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method of delivering advertising in an online environment includes determining an intent of a user interacting with an e-commerce website, and determining a hurdle rate that is based at least on the user intent and which identifies a threshold amount to be bid by an advertiser in order to display an advertisement to the user. The method further includes selecting, from a plurality of advertisements, an optimal advertisement having an advertiser bid that exceeds the hurdle rate, and displaying the optimal advertisement to the user in an interface of a client computer system.

Abstract: A method of delivering advertising in an online environment includes determining an intent of a user interacting with an e-commerce website and determining a hurdle rate, based at least on the intent of the user, that identifies a threshold amount to be bid by an advertiser in order to display an advertisement to the user interacting with the e-commerce website. The method may further include selecting, from a plurality of advertisements, one or more optimal advertisements having a combined advertiser bid that exceeds the determined hurdle rate. The method may further include providing one or more controls in a user interface of a client computer system, each of the controls being associated with a respective advertisement of the one or more optimal advertisements and adapted to enable the user to select one or more of the controls, and providing an element, responsive to an input of the user, that is adapted to display, to the user, the respective advertisements selected by the user.

Abstract: A computer system for multi-channel campaign planning includes a digital processor, and computer readable instructions to plan and manage a multi-channel campaign. The instructions are embedded on a non-transitory, tangible memory device and executable by the processor. The instructions include a scenario outcome predicting module to predict an outcome for a scenario having a set of parameters defined for each channel of a phase of a plurality of iterative phases of the multi-channel campaign. The instructions include an adaptive learning module to generate an optimized learning component of the multi-channel campaign. The instructions include a decision optimization module to optimize the multi-channel campaign over the plurality of iterative phases. The instructions include a campaign execution module to execute the multi-channel campaign and collect outcome data. An initial phase of the plurality of phases is executed without prior outcome data for the scenario of the initial phase.

Abstract: A system for flexibly targeting information sent over a broadcast communications medium includes a sender of information signals each carrying information and a targeter for use by a user having a receiver with a targeter. There are a number of the receivers constructed and arranged to receive signals from the sender through a broadcast communications medium. The targeter includes a number of selectors associated with an action ID and a number of key value paired, constructed and arranged to indicate action to be taken by a user of a selected receiver in the condition that the selector evaluates to true given the values stored in the targeters.

Abstract: Techniques for recommending music and advertising to enhance a user's experience while photo browsing are described. In some instances, songs and ads are ranked for relevance to at least one photo from a photo album. The songs, ads and photo(s) from the photo album are then mapped to a style and mood ontology to obtain vector-based representations. The vector-based representations can include real valued terms, each term associated with a human condition defined by the ontology. A re-ranking process generates a relevancy term for each song and each ad indicating relevancy to the photo album. The relevancy terms can be calculated by summing weighted terms from the ranking and the mapping. Recommended music and ads may then be provided to a user, as the user browses a series of photos obtained from the photo album. The ads may be seamlessly embedded into the music in a nonintrusive manner.

Abstract: An existing distribution of reviews for an entity across a plurality of review sites is evaluated. A determination is made, on behalf of the entity, that the existing distribution should be adjusted. An indication of at least one review site on which the placement of at least one additional review should be targeted is provided as output.

Abstract: An analytics system and associated methods are disclosed. The analytics system may be used by site owners and others for various purposes, such as to identify and compare network sites that satisfy particular criteria, to identify and compare keywords associated with these sites, and to assess characteristics of typical users of these sites. One feature of the system includes computer processes for inferring characteristics of users for whom user profile data is unknown or incomplete, and for using these inferred characteristics to more accurately assess the characteristics of typical users of particular sites.