Fully automated interactive promotion tool including wizard-driven web interface

• US 20070143181A1
• Filed: 07/18/2006
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ePrize LLC
• Original Assignee: ePrize LLC
• Inventors: Lippitt, Robb, Linkner, Josh
• Application Number:
  US11/488,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20070143181A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.210
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0219 based on funds or budget
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0249 based upon budgets or funds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0276 Advertisement creation

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing web-based promotions and promotional tools. The system allows smaller marketers to quickly and easily build and deploy a customized and professional web-based promotion using a fully automated interactive promotional tool including a wizard-driven web interface. The promotion wizard guides an advertiser through the process of designing all aspects of an online promotion including the selection of one or more prize pools and types of promotions, as well as uploading logos and selecting other aesthetic aspects of the promotion. The promotion is preferably distributed using unique distribution channels, and the advertiser is provided with a variety of administrative and management functions by the system in order to manage certain aspects of the online promotion.

Claims

1. A method for creating and administering a pooled promotion, comprising the steps of:

electronically providing an automated wizard-driven promotion builder to an advertiser;

electronically receiving advertiser-provided information that defines a prize pool associated with the promotion, the type of game associated with the promotion and additional aesthetic aspects of the promotion;

receiving budget information from the advertiser;

calculating and monitoring a per-entry cost of utilizing the promotion; and

automatically monitoring the cost associated with the use of promotion against the advertiser-provided budget.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

automatically creating banner advertisements linked to the promotion based upon the advertiser-provided information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

automatically distributing banner advertisements linked to the promotion through search engines based upon the advertiser-provided information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the type of web-based promotion is selected from the group consisting of sweepstakes, instant-win, trivia, collect-n-win, rebate, buy/get, points-based reward, coupon, special offer, and mystery offer/coupon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the type of web-based promotion is selected from the group consisting of refunds;

contests;

games; and

sampling premiums.

6. The method of claim 1, where in the type of web-based promotion is an instant win game and said promotion further comprises:

an electronic coupon.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the content selections for the web-based promotion include a promotion add-on selected from the group consisting of tell-a-friend, advanced reporting, VIP auto-reminders and opt-in reach-out.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the content selections from the web-based promotion include a media add-on selected from the group consisting of featured promotion and higher placement of the promotion in a ranked resulted page.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing an electronic advertiser access to reporting content related to said promotion.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

distributing said promotion over the Internet as part of a search engine results page.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said promotion includes a media add-on that creates a “

featured promotions”

area on said search engine results page.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said additional aesthetic aspects of the promotion include a predefined group of color and content themes for said promotion.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said additional aesthetic aspects of the promotion include logos uploaded by said advertiser and advertiser-defined color schemes.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said promotion includes an advertiser-defined user registration page including advertiser-defined opt-in questions and customer profile information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said automated wizard-driven promotion builder includes a preview button so that an advertiser can preview a partially designed promotion as design selections are being made by the advertiser.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said automated wizard-driven promotion builder includes a video-based expert advice.

17. A system for creating and administering a pooled promotion, comprising:

means for electronically providing an automated wizard-driven promotion builder to an advertiser;

means for electronically receiving advertiser-provided information that defines a prize pool associated with the promotion, the type of game associated with the promotion and additional aesthetic aspects of the promotion;

means for receiving budget information from the advertiser;

means for calculating and monitoring a per-entry cost of utilizing the promotion; and

means for automatically monitoring the cost associated with the use of promotion against the advertiser-provided budget.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the prize pool is selected from a group of predefined prize pools that are organized into subject headings.

19. A system for creating and administering a pooled promotion, comprising:

an automated wizard-driven promotion builder that is electronically presented to an advertiser, said wizard adapted to receive advertiser-provided information that defines a prize pool associated with the promotion, the type of game associated with the promotion, additional aesthetic aspects of the promotion and budget information from the advertiser;

means for calculating and monitoring a per-entry cost of utilizing the promotion; and

means for automatically monitoring the cost associated with the use of promotion against the advertiser-provided budget.

20. A method for creating and administering a special offer promotion, comprising the steps of:

electronically providing an automated wizard-driven special offer builder to an advertiser;

electronically receiving advertiser-provided information that defines a price point, product description and legal options associated with the special offer;

receiving budget information from the advertiser;

calculating and monitoring a per-use cost of utilizing the special offer; and

automatically monitoring the cost associated with the use of special offer against the advertiser-provided budget.