Advertising management system and method with dynamic pricing

• US 20080228893A1
• Filed: 03/11/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVON
• Inventors: Peppers, Donald, MacDonald, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 8,352,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0249 based upon budgets or funds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0272 Period of advertisement exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0276 Advertisement creation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames

Abstract

Method and system for enabling advertisers to deliver advertisements to consumers in which a plurality of tiers of available advertisements are defined, each tier containing a number of advertisements, a price for allocation of an advertisement in each tier is set wherein a lowest tier has the lowest price and the price increases to a maximum at a highest tier, and advertisements are allocated to advertisers based on availability starting from a lowest tier with unallocated advertisements and progressing to higher tiers.

Claims

1. A method for allocating messages for delivery within a communications network, the method comprising:

defining a plurality of tiers of available messages, each tier containing an available inventory of messages, wherein a lowest tier has a highest available inventory and a highest tier has a lowest available inventory, each said tier having a priority for use in scheduling the delivery of messages; and

allocating messages to information providers based on availability starting from a lowest tier with unallocated messages and progressing to higher tiers.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

partitioning recipients of the messages into a plurality of target profile groups;

defining a set of a plurality of tiers for each of the target profile groups; and

allocating messages in the tiers for each target profile group independently of one another.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the allocation of messages is performed according to supply and demand of messages for each target profile group.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a total number of recipients and a predetermined time period.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a total number of recipients and a predetermined time period.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a total number of recipients and a predetermined time period.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising assigning a percentage of a total message inventory to each tier, the available inventory of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising assigning a percentage of a total message inventory to each tier, the available inventory of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising assigning a percentage of a total message inventory to each tier, the available inventory of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising assigning a percentage of a total message inventory to each tier, the available inventory of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising assigning a percentage of a total message inventory to each tier, the available inventory of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a percentage of a total message inventory to each tier, the available inventory of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

19. The method of claim 6, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

20. The method of claim 5, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

21. The method of claim 4, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

22. The method of claim 3, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

23. The method of claim 2, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the allocation of messages to information providers is enabled via an interface available to the information providers.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

30. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

31. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

32. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

33. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

34. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

35. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

36. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

forming the interface to enable each information provider to at least one of;

enter a message to be delivered to recipients;

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a set number of messages.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

43. The method of claim 30, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

44. The method of claim 29, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

45. The method of claim 28, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

46. The method of claim 27, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

47. The method of claim 26, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

48. The method of claim 25, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a set number of messages, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then

providing the cost of the messages to the information provider.

49. The method of claim 36, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

50. The method of claim 35, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

51. The method of claim 34, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

52. The method of claim 33, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

53. The method of claim 32, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

54. The method of claim 31, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

55. The method of claim 30, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

56. The method of claim 29, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

57. The method of claim 28, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

58. The method of claim 27, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

59. The method of claim 26, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

60. The method of claim 25, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, further comprising:

allocating to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then

providing the number of allocated messages to the information provider.

61. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

62. A method for delivering messages to recipients, comprising:

determining an available inventory of messages for a set period of time that can be delivered to the recipients'"'"' telecommunications devices;

defining a plurality of tiers of available messages, each tier containing a portion of the total number of messages,

wherein a lowest tier has a highest proportion of the available inventory and the proportion of the available inventory decreases to a minimum at a highest tier;

enabling information providers to obtain an allocation of messages based on availability starting from a lowest tier with unallocated messages and progressing to higher tiers; and

managing the reception of messages from the information providers and the delivery of the received messages to the recipients in accordance with the allocations of the information providers.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising:

partitioning the recipients into a plurality of target profile groups;

defining a set of a plurality of tiers for each of the target profile groups; and

allocating the messages in the tiers for each target profile group independently of one another.

64. A system for enabling information providers to schedule delivery of messages, comprising:

a messaging management system having a defined plurality of tiers of available messages, each containing a number of messages, wherein a lowest tier has the highest number of available messages and the available messages decrease to a minimum at a highest tier, each said tier having a message delivery priority associated therewith; and

an interface to said message management system accessible by information providers to enable the information providers to input messages to said message management system and obtain an allocation of messages based on availability starting from a lowest tier with unallocated messages and progressing to higher tiers.

65. The system of claim 64, further comprising infrastructure coupled to said message management system to enable delivery of messages from the information providers entered via said interface in accordance with the allocation of such messages to recipients'"'"' telecommunications devices.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the recipients are partitioned into a plurality of target profile groups and a set of a plurality of tiers is defined for each of the target profile groups, the allocation of messages in the tiers for each target profile group being independent of one another.

67. The system of claim 64, wherein the recipients are partitioned into a plurality of target profile groups and a set of a plurality of tiers is defined for each of the target profile groups, the allocation of messages in the tiers for each target profile group being independent of one another.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein said message management system is arranged to determine the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a specified delivery priority, the total number of recipients and a predetermined time period for the message delivery campaign.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein said message management system is arranged to determine the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a specified delivery priority, the total number of recipients and a predetermined time period for the message delivery campaign.

70. The system of claim 65, wherein said message management system is arranged to determine the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a specified delivery priority, the total number of recipients and a predetermined time period for the message delivery campaign.

71. The system of claim 64, wherein said message management system is arranged to determine the total number of available messages in consideration of the number of messages permitted to be delivered to each recipient in a given period of time, a specified delivery priority, the total number of recipients and a predetermined time period for the message delivery campaign.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein a percentage of message inventory is assigned to each tier by an operator of said message management system, the number of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

73. The system of claim 70, wherein a percentage of message inventory is assigned to each tier by an operator of said message management system, the number of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

74. The system of claim 69, wherein a percentage of message inventory is assigned to each tier by an operator of said message management system, the number of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

75. The system of claim 68, wherein a percentage of message inventory is assigned to each tier by an operator of said message management system, the number of messages in each tier being determined by multiplying the percentage by the total amount of available messages.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

77. The system of claim 74, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

78. The system of claim 73, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

79. The system of claim 72, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

80. The system of claim 71, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

81. The system of claim 70, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

82. The system of claim 69, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

83. The system of claim 68, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

84. The system of claim 67, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

85. The system of claim 66, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

86. The system of claim 65, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

87. The system of claim 64, wherein said interface is formed to enable each information provider to at least one of:

select a target profile group of recipients to receive messages;

select one or more parameters relating to the time of delivery of messages; and

perform either a message delivery campaign based on a budget or on delivery of a desired number of messages.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

89. The system of claim 86, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

90. The system of claim 85, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

91. The system of claim 84, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

92. The system of claim 83, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

93. The system of claim 82, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

94. The system of claim 81, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

95. The system of claim 80, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

96. The system of claim 79, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

97. The system of claim 78, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

98. The system of claim 77, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

99. The system of claim 76, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on delivery of a desired number of messages, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages, and then provide the cost of the messages to the information provider via said interface.

100. The system of claim 87, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

101. The system of claim 86, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

102. The system of claim 85, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

103. The system of claim 84, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

104. The system of claim 83, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

105. The system of claim 82, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

106. The system of claim 81, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

107. The system of claim 80, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

108. The system of claim 79, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

109. The system of claim 78, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

110. The system of claim 77, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

111. The system of claim 76, wherein when an information provider elects to perform a message delivery campaign based on a budget, said message management system is arranged to allocate to each information provider, available messages from a lowest one of the tiers having unallocated messages until the cost of the messages equals the budget, and then provide the number of allocated messages to the information provider via said interface.

112. The system of claim 108, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

113. The system of claim 107, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

114. The system of claim 103, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

115. The system of claim 101, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

116. The system of claim 100, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

117. The system of claim 96, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

118. The system of claim 95, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

119. The system of claim 91, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

120. The system of claim 89, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

121. The system of claim 88, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

122. The system of claim 87, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

123. The system of claim 86, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

124. The system of claim 84, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

125. The system of claim 80, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

126. The system of claim 79, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

127. The system of claim 72, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

128. The system of claim 71, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

129. The system of claim 67, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

130. The system of claim 65, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.

131. The system of claim 64, wherein the number of tiers is 2, 3, 4 or 5.