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To all women and men in tech,
For those who know me well I am not one to come out publicly on many issues, yet given the commentary, articles and actions of both sides regarding the Techweek email sent earlier this week I honestly felt it was my obligation as a mother, entrepreneur and female CEO to respond and share my personal experience and advice with other female and male entrepreneurs. The below may not be what you expected but I do hope it resonates and helps to move everyone forward. Everyone is responsible.
Why I am writing this? I am a mom to two (soon-to-be three) girls, a wife to a successful husband raised by a single, working mother and grandmother, sister to a female plastic surgeon and a daughter to immigrant parents who are both pharmacists and entrepreneurs. In our family, male or female, we were taught to work hard, stay humble, pay our dues and reach for the stars - regardless of sex. So yes, it does start with parenting and how you choose to raise your kids from a young age. Nothing matters more and this is why I feel strongly about the below.
What Works (to promote female entrepreneurs)
1. At Home...
- Raising daughters to believe they can be anything they want to be and pushing them in this direction.
- Raising sons who respect their mothers, sisters, aunts and female friends as equals.
- Having fathers and mothers alike co-parent their kids and get as involved regardless if one parent stays home (because let's be honest here, being a stay-at-home parent is a fulltime career).
2. And In The Workplace...
As investors, invest in entrepreneurs regardless of sex-actually write a check!
I recently went through the fundraising process (consider this the most formal announcement but yes, we raised a seed round from some awesome investors including Joe Mansueto, Dundee VC, The Pritzker Group, David Cohen, Ellen Carnahan and Jumpstart Ventures) and look forward to growing the Built In network) and feel confident I can speak intelligently on this one as I encountered it all.
I was fortunate to have Ellen Carnahan, a female investor, be the first "yes" to invest in our round before even seeing a full deck. Why? Because Ellen has known me personally for over three years, has watched me grow Built In and immediately saw the vision for the company. This wasn't philanthropy and this wasn't Ellen being nice. She saw the potential and could see my passion. She had a successful career in Venture Capital and now spends all of her time investing in, and mentoring, the next generation. And she was willing to write a check.
On the other end, both Joe Mansueto (Founder & CEO of Morningstar) and Mark Hasebroock (Partner, Dundee VC) said "yes" after meeting and hearing the Built In story, progress and vision because of the business, our team and the metrics - not because they knew me well personally-they judged the business on its merits. Joe has been following Built In through quarterly updates provided by Matt Moog (Built In Founder and Chairman). Once, at an event, Matt Moog shared with me that Joe stood in a boardroom of mostly male CEOs and said how every business should be built like "Built In". Now, that works. Joe looks at metrics, is humble and hardworking. Joe did not care nor did he comment on the fact that I am the CEO - he was commenting on the success of the company. It is these discreet moments that help to define a company and propel female CEOs forward. It is a highly respected male CEO publicly touting the success of a female-run company. Needless to say, Joe led our round and I will never be able to fully articulate the incredible amount of respect I have for him.
As a female, surround yourself with males and females who support your career and steer away from those who don't
So it's been written about before, but as a female it is super important to surround yourself with males who view you as an equal, and women who are not threatened by your success. Let me elaborate...
Matt Moog hired me to run something he started after knowing me for less than six months. Matt saw my passion for Built In and took a chance. Why? I personally believe it has a lot to do with Matt's innate respect for successful females and mothers. Matt's wife, Lucy, is incredibly bright and had an amazing career in politics before choosing to stay at home and raise their three boys. Matt also has a track record of working with successful women and mothers as he had Jolie Fleming as his right hand for years at both CoolSavings and Viewpoints.
But why I have an incredible amount of respect for Matt's support of my career is in the details:
- He gave me the title of CEO because he wanted everyone else to understand that I ran the company, not him.
- When a certain reporter in town kept referring to Matt as "running Built In Chicago" Matt was the first to correct him and say, actually "Maria is the CEO."
- When male CEOs in the community sent emails introducing Matt as the CEO of Built In Matt would quickly correct them and bring me into the conversation..it took about a year for everyone to accept this fact but had it not been for Matt, all would continue to view me as an event planner or Matt's assistant:)
- When Matt was invited to moderate a panel of Governors and could not attend, he volunteered me into this role.
- When Matt could not participate in a panel event with the Mayor, he volunteered me again.
And this is why I have a tremendous amount of respect and gratitude for Matt and why more males need to take cues from his actions.
On the flipside, I surround myself with other successful female entrepreneurs and leaders such as Amanda Lannert and Desiree Vargas Wrigley. Why? Because they are mothers, wives and CEOs who have built successful businesses and I admire them because we talk about our respective businesses, challenges, etc. We don't sit around and discuss how it sucks to be a female CEO and how we got the short end of the stick. We all had the same opportunities (albeit a lot of inappropriate comments along the way) as our male counterparts and are all facing the same challenges (with some additional challenges like being pregnant while fundraising).
So here you have concrete examples of what works. It is not about having conversations, isolating women, establishing all-women groups, panels, forums, incubators, etc. It's about treating women as equals and SHOWING it by investing in them, inviting them to attend events mostly male-dominated, supporting their careers, etc.
What doesn't work and the challenges we have...
1. Segregation
I've heard multiple points of views throughout the years on "women in tech" and promoting female entrepreneurs and to be honest, each time, I roll my eyes and stay far away from the conversation. It's not because I don't think women need to be supported it's because these tactics DO NOT work. I have once in my career sat on an all-female panel and vowed to never do it again. Why? Because it doesn't help, it actually hurts. Separating out women and men further perpetuates the issue. The whole point is to treat us as equals. Have you ever seen a panel titled "men in tech".
2. Oh, the inappropriate comments.
While running Built In and also going through the fundraising process I encountered a lot of interesting comments which included the following:
"Is this a hobby?"
"Where do you want to be in 3 years, personally?"
"This is going to be hard, you will have to travel a lot"
"I really like you, and want to be supportive...."
"Hey hottie"
"You look good"
So what do I do? I stay far away from the males who treat me as their girlfriend or daughter (you will figure this out quickly as a female) and instead stay close to those who treat me as an equal and have productive conversations with me regarding business, life, investments, etc.
Now, do these comments offend me and/or bother me? Sure. Do they stop me from running my business, accomplishing what I want to do, etc? No. And they never will. I would rather keep my head down, build a successful company and end my career mentoring and investing in younger entrepreneurs. I do believe these comments are a distraction and unproductive. Everyone needs to talk less and act more. And women and men alike need to recognize that the best progress will be made by continuing to build and operate successful businesses that are inclusive and treat men and women equally.
So with that, I will get back to building Built In and helping all of you build your businesses. Let's focus on content, not parties. Let's focus on action, not words.
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THANK YOU Maria for putting yourself out there to speak the obvious, common sense truth. The sad situation is that in 2014 some people still don't realize they are out of step. Keep up your sage common sense! Ellen Carnahan
Thank you all for taking the time to read, comment and share in this dialogue. I look forward to working with you all to create the next generation of amazing technology companies.
Thanks, Maria. Segregation by cause does hurt more than it helps. Some public "gnashing of teeth" may feel good to disadvantaged parties, but that rarely outweighs the subtle resentment generated in the larger community, and the growing sense that we are all "apart" from one another.
Focusing on "women in tech" also encourages new panels: sexual preference in tech, ethnicity in tech, body type in tech... right through vegans in tech, and hair color in tech. It validates every anxiety of every definable group. The eventual outcome really ~would~ be panels on "white men in tech," "straight men in tech," and so on.
The solution is simply to behave like a decent human being, and get on with life.
Maria, I come from a very similar way of thinking. I have spent the last 30 years working in the investment/brokerage industries and technology, including 10 of those years on Wall Street. I've seen it all and have succeeded in very male dominated worlds by being treated as an equal. I never felt like I needed special treatment as a woman. Like you, my success came from desire, hard work, good mentors and good results. I'm also a mom and wife and have battled the balancing act along the way.
And I'd like to see all women succeed on their merits and passion.
However, I respectfully disagree with you on the need for women's groups or any group that is designed to help its members achieve and succeed. I believe networks are key to personal and business growth. I have seen women's networks and events that offer insights and advice that is additive to the development of careers and businesses. They can enable a stronger voice for many and should not be thought of as segregated any more than a Drupal network.
Yes we all need to surround ourselves with good mentors, challenges and diversity as that's how we grow. And we need to recognize the idiots and steer clear.
But let's not beat up on women's groups and events because there's a need and a desire for them. Let's continue to surround ourselves with the people who will support us and help us succeed in our goals and keep an open mind toward where that may come from.
You made my day. It has been thrilling to see so many say loud and clear, "No. That's just not how we do it around here." But you really nailed it. Thank you.
great post. totally endorse your views as a father to two daughters working in the Chicago startup community
Reason #247 why there is nobody (of any sex, religion, race) better to represent Chicago and to take the BuiltIn concept (and values!) around the world. I am proud to have the privilege of knowing you, working with you and being part of this community.
That said, we all still have a lot of work to do to make it a more level playing field for EVERYONE.
This - " I stay far away from the males who treat me as their girlfriend or daughter (you will figure this out quickly as a female) and instead stay close to those who treat me as an equal and have productive conversations with me regarding business, life, investments, etc."
Thanks Maria for writing this, sharing your experiences and leading by example (it's the best way!)
Congrats on your success, Maria! Believe it or not, it is much better than it was 15 years ago and kudos to your efforts to make it better 15 years from now. Male or female, always take the high road!
Kudos to you, Maria. This is clearly a blog post written by a confident woman who sees the world around her for what it is while understanding the only limitations one has are those that are placed upon oneself. It's a great perspective to add to this conversation and is, generally speaking, a message that everyone can embrace. We've all experienced some degree of pre-judgement and it's up to us to only work with those who don't have those limitations.
I disagree with your approach. You know that about me. I think that asking people not to talk about an issue doesn't make it go away, and there have to be social and economic consequences for people who enable a sexist environment - either through their actions or simply through their lack of actions. If we don't call them out and don't create consequences, the culture will never change.
Like you, I'm increasingly torn on the focus on women in tech, instead of just great leaders in tech. I don't want this industry to need a category on "outstanding woman in tech." I hate that Built In felt the need to have such a category instead of seeing women nominated in every category.
But i want you to know I will always support you, respect you and appreciate you as a role model doing what you think is right through your actions as a CEO and thought leader.
I've got your back. I mean it, sister. I've got your back and I know you've got mine. Respect and support is definitely the foundation, even if we disagree on where to go from here.
Fantastic article!
YES. Thank you for writing this and thank you for everything you've done for the community. I think this is a great start to a productive way to move forward and a productive blueprint for others to do the same.
"Have you ever seen a panel titled 'men in tech'." Brilliant. Thank you for writing this.
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Ironwood drum set
Okay, it's taken two months to get it in more or less final form. This is from www.spiritdrums.com, drums made of solid-shell Cooktown ironwood from Australia.
All drums are square sizes, 8 10 12 and 14 inch toms, 18 inch bass drum, snare is 13 by 4. Cymbals are all Zildjian A Customs, 20 inch ping ride, 13 inch hats, 17 inch crash, 12 inch splash, 8 inch splash, 18 inch China.
Accessories include Pete Englehart agogo bells and foot-operated talking drum from www.b-radpercussion.com and LP plastic block foot pedal.
Hardware is mostly DW, Tama hi-hat stand with legs removed and custom fabricated cymbal stackers, bass drum cradle and foot percussion holder, Gauger aluminum RIMS mounts.
All heads are Remo Fiberskyn FAs batter and coated Ambassadors resonant. Bass drum head of Spirit Drums logo by www.drumart.com.
Sticks are wok chopsticks mostly, with Vic Firth brushes, Trilok Gurtu signatures, assorted mallets and plastic brushes and rutes.
Below are the three clips I have so far - the swing-type playing and a song we call James Bond in Matanzas. I was playing my left-foot clave rhythm and this keyboardist I play with started playing along. It's a rough first cut and we are going to refine it. Blue Veil is a song on the Hang Drum.
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Truly awesome. I need to head up there and talk to the guys at SpiritDrums. Damn that Ironwood is dense! Could you imagine the sound if they offered free-floating on all of them?! Then again, that'd probably make them weigh a lot (I'd imagine that bass drum is already a cannon- sound and weight wise).
How do you find that talking drum in a musical sense? How often do you apply it?
Seriously, that has to be one of the best I've ever seen! It's positioned almost exactly how I would have it, too. I would have the ride so it's easily crashed, but that's about perfect!
Awesome set, you're very lucky. I like the bass head, too. I look forward to hearing it, but I could imagine it would sound a thousand-fold better in person. Can imagine it would've taken a fair bit of coin from you, too. Worth it, though! Those Fiberskyns look like they have a kickass tone, too. That warm, rounded tone with a slight buzz.
Why do square drums never look square? My 16" floor also looks taller than it is wide...
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That's a great looking kit, and so many different sound options. I would love to have a go behind that kit!
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Oh cool, its the Duallist, hows that working out for you?
haa looks like a great kit, especially love the seat and the outer bass head, howd you get that made?
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sweet set, nice finish, creatively unlimited and...a dualist...
very nice though, we have to hear some noise from you soon : )
yeah, how do you like the dualist? i'm intrigued...
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hey im liking those lugs, and with the wood and the heads it looks very natural. beauty!
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That kit is reminiscent of the heavy shelled power-depth Sonors of the 80's. Very imposing look. I can only imagine the deep thunder of those drums.
There is a kind of a mystique there, because AFAIK, no one else makes Ironwood shells. You have a kit even more exculsive than a Brady.
The fiberskyn FA and percussion bits really add to a "Earth sounds*" personality for the kit.
The only thing I'd like to see if a pic that has more intense lower lighting. The wood has a cherry-like color.
Great stuff!
* Yes, I was digging the Terra Sonus Sound clips.
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Never seen a kit like this man!! i really like it!!
what kind of sound do you have with those heads??
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Very Unique kit. Looks good. have fun. It must have been pain to turn the whole kit around for the second pic..hehe
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really really ncie man i love that room :D
The Zildjian china looks friggin INSANE !
nice nice
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i love that pedal powered talking drum. did you put that together?
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Do you have any clipps of your playing?
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you have really shiny cymbals, do you clean them a lot?
I like the strat in the background too...
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The Strat is a "guest" instrument, along with a Shane bass and a rehabilitated sitar. Not hi-end instruments, but if someone comes by, I always have something for them to play! Plus, instruments are just beautiful things to display.
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As for The Duallist, I love it, but it's too controversial a piece of equipment to discuss here. People have heated opinions about it, especially if they have never played one. A freewheeling and enlightening Duallist discussion is at http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...hlight=dualist
The resonant head is from www.drumart.com and the design is the Spirit Drums logo. Drumart does amazing work, very beautiful and professional and they'll skillfully touch-up any low-quality art work you send them. The great to deal with and I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a custom head.
The only downside is they use Aquarian heads and I'm a Remo loyalist (shhh - don't tell anyone!). But the head does sound and look great.
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Sweet! thank you very much for the honor of gazing upon such well kept drums and cymbals. cool and expensive drums!
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your kit's absolutely awesome!
(It seems you're sitting a pretty extreme angle, pedal positioning-wise...)
GREAT stuff!
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What exactly is a talking drum?
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The drum I have from www.b-radpercussion.com is a modern version. A foot pedal - much like a bass drum pedal but designed to produce much more power and leverage - controls the action of the drum through a bike cable, leaving both hands free. So far, no one has accused me of cheating, but I DO have a Duallist ...
I actually made my own foot-operated talking drum from an LP Nada drum, a foot pedal, bike cable and a custom metal basket, and played that for about 10 years. But the b-rad design works much better and is ingeniously engineered - the whole thing breaks down quickly for transport. The drum came with one tom mounting bracket at the top, but I flipped it over and added another two brackets, fabricated some legs and now it sits like a floor tom, not a suspended tom.
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Thanks. I bet it sounds awesome
Also why get the dualist and not a double kick pedal?
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Plus, where would I even put a FIFTH pedal? The Duallist does everything I would want a double pedal to do and it frees up my right foot to operate the hi hat, percussion block and talking drum. Maybe there are things a double pedal can do that a Duallist can't, but if The Duallist can't do it, I don't need to play it.
I'm going to a Guitar Center drum off tonight and I've worked out a composition playing the Afro-Cuban rhythm guaguanco with the left foot playing clave and 16th note shuffles on the Duallist. Works just fine for me!
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thats a great looking kit. i've looked around the spirit site, they seem like great drums
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I would have actually preferred a 20 inch bass drum, but those are extremely hard to get, even by Spirit Drum standards. The logs must be 22 inches, which means they literally weigh tons if you can find them. But even the 18 inch drum sounds resonant, thick and punchy.
You are perceptive to notice how the Fiberskyns add to the persona of the set. The shells and lug style give it a primitive quality and the Fiberskyns accentuate that.
You are right about the sound - it is thunderous. It dominates the entire house and I have to be careful when I play; ideally, when no one else is home.
The shells with RIMS hardware in total weigh around 100 pounds for the set of six drums. Add in the DW 9000 series stands and it's a workout to move. I like to lift heavy objects, however, and I need to lose weight more than the drums do.
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Very unique, looks like alot of fun to play.................sorry, you may have allready listed it, but what is that "mushroom" shaped cymbal beside your floor tom? Also, I believe the guitar is a fender Squire, which is an entry level "strat" copy, not like the pricey American strats(I play guitar....lol) but none the less, a cool setup!
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The mushroom cymbal is actually a melodic metal drum called a Hang Drum; see http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om16250.html. It's a newer instrument, invented around 200, a kind of steel pan drum turned outward to be played with the hands. There are many, many tunings and most people prefer a Chinese pentatonic scale, as it's the most versatile. This one is tuned to a Middle Eastern scaled called Hijaz in the key of D, which has more tension than pentatonic scale.
You can hear me play this drum at www.terrasonus.com on a song called Kosmosis.
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You have the weirdest yet coolest gear
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And a kit that I don't consider imposing:
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HAHA! I actually have one of those little kids kits.
I see what you mean about imposing attitude. That Sonor kit definitely has it, and so does mine.
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wow thats such a sweet kit!! so much options, very unique!!! i like!!!
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oh kewl... are you from aussie? did u get that made? kewl... u could give me that dualist! heehe very interesting pedals... hmm..
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Thanks, eyeofthebeholder and atomicsoy (great handle by the way).
l live in Boise, Idaho, around 12,000 miles away from Austrailia I figure (I recall checking it on Google Earth). This set was made from an approximately 350-year-old tree. It probably started as a sucker around 1650.
The six-piece shell pack and snare was about $5,300, which is what you'd expect to pay for a high-end custom drum set.
I read about Spirit drums in the Oct. 2000 edition of Modern Drummer and I made it my goal to get a set before I died. I like unusual and fine things and the Spirits definitely have a magical, thunderous, authoritative, rich primitive sound that cannot be duplicated. I also like the exclusivity - only about a dozen of these highly exotic kits have ever been made, although there are a fair number of snares in circulation. I also hear they made djembes and congas as well. Flutemakers and luthiers also prize ironwood for its acoustical properties. It's three times as dense as maple and sinks in water. Unfortunately, in Australia, it's often use for mindless applications like fence posts and railroad ties, but it's poisonous to cattle and must be cleared from some areas anyway.
The wood is almost indestructible - I was mounting one of the heavy toms and the ball joint slipped, causing it to crash down on the bass drum. There was no scratch at all in the drum and a very slight bend inward on the steel rim flange. Serious attitude!
Someday, I will get a set of Spizzichino cymbals.
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Spirit drums: normal playing can kill small rodents at 25 paces. Knocks over a whole row of corn at full volume.
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I noticed an ad once for a snare drum that had "crowd-cutting backbeats." I thought it was strange, the idea of assaulting your audience, so me and my band mates have been coming up with others like:
"Sternum-crushing bass"
"Audience-decapitating cymbal crashes"
"Stool-softening tom fills"
"Ear-impaling rim shots"
"Nose-hair-curling tabla solos"
"Divorce-triggering volume"
"Aura-bleaching sitar solos"
Now we can add ""Cornfield-leveling sound output" and "Rodent-exterminating volume."
People added a bunch more and I wish I still had the list.
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wow, it's impressive just to look at! I can only imagine the wide range of creativity you can release on something like that, especially with the unique use of the talking and hang drums. The kit looks like it could play any style of music that the musician can, and I'm sure it sounds even better than it looks. Hopefully I'll have something as nice to play on one day, I hope you enjoy it!
P.S. Your heads match your carpet :P
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I couldn't afford something like this until I turned 40 last year. You're still pretty young, so hang in there, do well in school, find a good career and you will have the disposable income someday soon.
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how much did it cost u?
Re: Ironwood drum set
It's good to read the whole thread before posting.
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DERBY–The Northern Vermont Soccer School is in full swing at the North Country Junior High School. For more photos from the camp, see the Express on 7-30-15.
GREENFIELD, MA–The Vermont Pride U-14 softball team recently traveled down to Massachusetts to take part in the Coach's Classic U-14 ASA Girl's Fast Pitch Tournament where they took second place.
For more, see the Express on 7-29-15.
Hi Guys,
We just about ready to enter the dog days of summer, but there is still plenty of things going on to talk about.
Here are my Top Three picks from the week that was.
1. Everybody knows that the Newport Women's Soccer League is a popular activity in our area, and on Sunday, Team Colombia Forest bested Newport Optical 5-1 to take home the League crown.
2. Tough weekend for the OEC Legion Team, as they were eliminated from the play-offs after entering the season as the top ranked team.
NEWPORT–The OEC Lightning Junior Legion closed out their regular season with a sweep of the Colchester Cannons in a doubleheader on Wednesday evening.
For more, see the Express on 7-24-15.


text:
A method of delivering advertising items to a client at a portable device is provided. A client ID is sent to a host server. A downloaded advertising item is produced relative to a product or service from the host server. The downloaded advertising item is parsed and stored. In response to the parsing and storing, displaying the advertising item is displayed to the client at the mobile device.
1. A method of delivering advertising to a client at a portable device, comprising:
sending a client ID to a host server;
producing a downloaded advertising item relative to a product or service from the host server;
parsing and storing the downloaded advertising item;
in response to the parsing and storing, displaying the advertising item to the client at the portable device.
2. The method of
3. The method of
4. The method of
downloading and installing a portable device application.
5. The method of
running an application by the client that is prompted for the client's personalized information.
6. The method of
7. The method of
processing data of the client's actions and the client's non-actions at the server from previous client activity;
updating the client's actions and non-actions for the advertising item and storing it at the host server;
in response to the updating, sending new advertising item to the client.
8. The method of
9. The method of
10. The method of
indicating, by the client, which content received to display next based on hard coded values or the client's input; and
loading the content and layout, by the portable device.
11. The method of
sorting through the layout, by the portable device, and replacing any variables in the layout with data from the content; and
adjusting any layout constants based on specific settings of the portable device.
12. The method of
passing the layout with the adjusted values to a controller of the portable device, the controller then following instructions in the layout, and the instructions then painting the data onto the screen;
accepting client input by the controller and applying instructions or commands in the layout to decided what to do next.
13. The method of
14. The method of
iterating over all of the elements in the layout; and
replacing any variables or constants found in the layout with data from the content of a configuration file of the portable device.
15. The method of
executing equations found to calculate final values of specific elements in the layout; and
looping objects that are duplicated based on the number of content objects that exist, each of a sub-loop element value being loaded from a specific sub-content object.
16. The method of
in response to client input to the portable device, the portable device then loading an appropriate set of commands from the active layout and then executing those commands.
17. The method of
18. The method of
19. A method of producing a coupon recommendation to a client from a host with a host server, comprising:
loading client demographic and client historical data to the host server;
loading coupons from customers to the host server;
applying clustering scoring to the loaded coupons;
applying client request criteria to the coupons;
scoring and sorting the coupons based on the scoring to provide scored coupons; and
delivering selected coupon results from the scored coupons to a portable device of the client in response to the scoring and sorting.
20. The method of
applying demographic scoring criteria of the client to the coupons.
21. The method of
applying customer request criteria to the coupons.
22. The method of
loading customer contract information to the host server;
increasing or decreasing a coupon score based on the amount the customer pays for each coupon redemption an/or deliver; and
adjusting coupons scores in response to preferences provided by customers to the host server.
23. The method of
24. The method of
utilizing client preferences to adjust coupon scores.
25. The method of
utilizing client category preferences to adjust coupon scores.
26. The method of
selecting coupons that are currently valid in terms of date;
excluding coupons delivered to the client that are no longer available;
excluding coupons delivered to the client that are outside of a client's geographic region.
27. The method of
combining previous scores applied to scored coupons and ranking the coupons with combined scores from highest to a lowest in terms of the score given; and
determining the number of coupons that the client's portable device can receive; and
delivering only the number of coupons to the client's portable device that the portable device is able to receive based on the ranking of the coupons from highest to lowest.
28. The method of
using data sources that are external to the host server to assist in the scoring of the coupons.
29. The method of
utilizing customer data relative a client to assist in scoring the customer's coupons for that client.
30. The method of
31. The method of
processing data from the client that includes client interactions with coupons delivered by the host server;
checking for coupons to deliver or remove for that client; and
returning coupon data to a controller to add to return data.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/650,363 filed Feb. 4, 2005, which application is fully incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to systems and methods associated with portable devices, and more particularly to systems and methods associated with portable devices to deliver target advertising:
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently general advertising on portable devices is delivered only as SMS or text messages. These messages can only contain plain text and are delivered to the SMS inbox provided by most portable devices. They go into the general inbox that contains all messages received by that device from any source. There is no ability to track which advertisements or coupons are read or deleted or, in fact, any confirmation that the user even looked in the SMS inbox.
Advertising is also delivered as part of streaming video (ie. TV) on some mobile devices, however it acts like current TV adverting, where it interrupts the content with the advertisement and there is no ability to target different ads to different demographics nor any way to interact with the advertising.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide improved methods for delivering advertising items to a client at the client's portable device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide improved methods for delivering coupons to a client's portable device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide improved methods for making coupon recommendations to a client using client demographic and client historical data.
A further object of the present invention is to provide improved methods for displaying layouts with advertising item data at a client's portable device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide improved methods for allowing customers to manage their advertising campaigns.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide improved methods for downloading advertising items to a portable device of a client.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in, a method of delivering advertising items to a client at a portable device. A client ID is sent to a host server. A downloaded advertising item is produced relative to a product or service from the host server. The downloaded advertising item is parsed and stored. In response to the parsing and storing, displaying the advertising item is displayed to the client at the mobile device.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for producing a coupon recommendation to a client from a host that has a host server. Client demographic and client historical data is loaded to the host server. Coupons are loaded from customers to the host server. Clustering scoring is applied to the loaded coupons. Client request criteria is applied to the coupons. The coupons are scored and sorted based on the scoring, creating scored coupons. Selected coupon results are delivered from the scored coupons to a mobile device of the client in response to the scoring and sorting.
In one embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in
A client ID is sent to a host server. A downloaded advertising item is produced relative to a product or service from the host server, as illustrated in
The displayed advertising item includes at least one of, a list of merchants, special event data, a coupon, an ad, a contest, a loyalty card (
When the client first starts an application, a network connection with the host server begins in the background. This network connection reaches the host server both to upload and download data. All logged information is uploaded, including but not limited to each advertising item, such as a coupon, used, deleted and viewed by the client and how often. The amount of free space available on the client's portable device is also uploaded. Addition data can be attached including but not limited to the current GPS coordinates of the client's portable device. Client requests are uploaded. By way of illustration, and without limitation, these client request can include, requests to install the client on a different portable device, specifically requested advertising items, personal data entered, and the like. Advertising items can be requested by entering a short code, waving a Bluetooth enabled device over a transmitter, taking a picture of a code, such as a barcode or other machine readable picture, with the client's portable device's built in camera. This can then be translated into a code to be uploaded, received as an IR signal via an IR receiver or any other reasonable input method into the client's portable device.
As shown in
A portable device application is downloaded from the host computer and installed on the client's portable device. An application can be run by the client that is prompted for the client's personalized information. Such personal information can include, but it not limited to the client's, zip code, age, gender, address, contact information, preferences, and the like. One instance of how the initial flow can work can be see in
In producing the downloaded advertising item, data of the client's actions and the client's non-actions is processed at the server from previous client activity. The. client's actions and non-actions for the advertising item are then updated and storing it at the host server. In response to the updating, the new advertising item is sent to the client.
During parsing, the host server can pre-format the advertising item for easier client use. By way of illustration, and without limitation, the host server can place the content to be delivered in a specific fixed order, delimited by a special character. The client can then easily iterate across this list, parsing and placing each element into an array in the same order. The client can use the same previous knowledge about the order to index into that array, to load any specific element. The data in the same form can be stored for later retrieval using the same method.
The data can be transmitted in an extremely compact form. By way of illustration, and without limitation, one method is to have a list of values, delimited by a special character, with each addition position representing a different element of data. By way of illustration, a coupon can be represented as follows:
In addition, a string of suitable length can be first compressed. Many other characters can also be a delimiter. Some delimiters could also be removed by fixed the length of ids, so that the first part above could be transmitted as "434101". If the amount of data transmitted can not be as constrained, the XML given above can also be transmitted as is.
In a case where a string (for instance the small print string with type—id 6 above) is already on the client, instead of transmitting the string again, a code number can be transmitted representing the coupon for which the string already exists that should be used for this coupon.
Following parsing, the client tokenizes the advertising item, exams each of a header of a token to determine it's type, and then process according to type, see
The client's portable device sorts through the layout and replaces any variables in the layout with data from the content. Layout constants are adjusted based on specific settings of the client's portable device. The layout is then passed with the adjusted values to a controller of the portable device. The controller follows instructions in the layout, and the instructions then paint the data onto the screen of the client's portable device. Client input is accepted by the controller, and instructions or commands are applied in the layout to decided what to do next. The layout maps each possible client input to a command string. When the client receives the command, the client loads and parses that command string which can consist of one or more commands. Each command is executed in order, effecting either the current screen, flow to another screen, causing the storing of data or causing a network operation to occur. These steps are then repeated for each screen that the client sees at its portable device.
An iteration is made over all of the elements in the layout. The type of each layout element is determined, and specific parsing code is used to properly expand the layout data into the element later to be displayed. Variables or constants found in the layout are then replaced with data from the content of a configuration file of the portable device. Equations found to calculate final values of specific elements in the layout are then executed. Equations can consist of constant numerical values, variable specific to the content, constants specific to the client portable device or variable specific to the current state of the layout. The calculations produce a final numerical value that is used in the display of an object. Looping objects are duplicated based on the number of content objects that exist, each of a sub-loop element value being loaded from a specific sub-content object.
In response to client input to the portable device, the portable device loads an appropriate set of commands from the active layout and then executes those commands. A variety of commands can be utilized including but not limited to those that can, cause storage operation, network operations, screen operations flow control operations, and the like. One embodiment of a possible flow for loading, viewing and use of a coupon can be seen in
In one embodiment, the commands are executed by specific portable device phone threads. The threads can include but are not limited to, timer threads that cause a command to executed after a specific amount of time has passed, a network status thread, causing a command to be executed at various stages of network operation, a save storage status thread, the also causes a command to be executed at various stages of network operation, and other interrupt or restore threads.
In one embodiment, the host server functionality is broken down into several sections, including but not limited to, user management, advertising item distributor, campaign manager, client distribution, display management, and the like. The functionality needed can be divided other ways, this keeps the cleanest separation by enforcing the separation of clients from content, content management and other client details. This allows expansion or modification of one area while minimizing change in the others. In addition a controller exists for managing the network connection and sending incoming request data to the appropriate system, and appending its response to the set of responses due to be returned to the client. The controller is responsible for passing data between the separate sections, enforcing their separation by allowing communication via one known channel. In one embodiment of the present invention, Java is used with Java Servlet technology and a SQL database for data storage. The host server can be written in other languages, including but not limited to in C/C++, Perl or several other languages. In addition, all changes to the database can be stored with timestamps and old data need not be deleted. Therefore, when a field needs to be updated, a new entry is created with a timestamp indicating the new data value. The old value is marked as no longer valid. In this way, a complete history of all data changes can be examined.
A user management system ("UMS") is provided and is responsible for registering and verifying clients, tracking client information, including but not limited to, client location via GPS, device and software version, personal details, connection information, billing information and billing records, and also provides for the administration of the same. One embodiment can be see in
In one embodiment, the UMS has two sets of access points, one used by the client and one used via a web browser to view and edit the client data. When contacted from the client, there are two major actions that can be performed. The first is the one time registration of a new client with the hose server. The client uploads to the UMS, the client's portable device identifier along with all information on model, type, free memory plus any data already gathered from the client, including but not limited to, gender, age or zip code. The UMS creates a new database entry for this client and assigns a unique client ID (uid). It also checks the client distribution system ("CDS") to see if there is any data about who referred this client and if they are seeking some specific coupon, and stores this information. It then returns to the device this UID which is stored for future communication.
The second type of action is a standard communication from a device processed through the controller. The UMS is responsible for verifying that a valid was sent, storing any data uploaded by the client that is related to the client and returning any commands to ask the client to request additional client information. After checking that the UID exists in the database and is currently active and valid (not marked as locked) the UMS parses the data passed in for personal client information. If it finds keys for values it is interested in, such as date of birth, gender, age, income, zip code, address, billing or credit card information, reward card information or other personal information the UMS adds it to the client record and removes it from the incoming information flow.
The UMS looks for location based information, including but not limited to GPS coordinates, received data from Bluetooth transmitters, an ip address assigned from a wireless or wired internet connection, where the location can be calculated or other data. This is then converted into a street address and stored along with the an accuracy range (where the GPS coordinates might give a three meter range, a Bluetooth message a 3 foot range and an ip lookup might allow for a 1 mile radius or more) for access by other systems. In the case of the GSP coordinates, a map lookup will give a street address. For the Bluetooth transmitted the location of the transmitter must already be known. For wired connections, by tracking the path that packets take, the closest router or server can be determined and based on the location of that server and the delay packets take to get from the client to that server, a location can be calculated. Finally for wireless, the location of the base station that the client is connecting to can be looked up.
The UMS then checks to see if the current rules suggest that it ask the client for additional personal information. For instance if the client has used the system for two weeks, several times a day, the internal rule set might suggest that this is a good time to ask them for the client's zip code. In addition the client might have performed an action that required more data. For instance, the client may have attempted to buy a prepaid purchase code that could be loaded on the client's portable device and the system need to request their credit card number. If any of these are true, the system adds to its outgoing command list a request to the client to ask the client for this information and if the information is optional or not.
The UMS processes any incoming requests that require a billing or debit action such as directly buying something via an ad, prepaying for a series of items, buying a discount of some type or other action. The UMS charges the client's credit card, paypal account, bank account or internal balance if it is a dollar charge, or debits internal reward balances if the client is using a reward points gained for use of coupons, viewing ads, sharing ads or other reasons. The UMS records this and adds the note of the successfully or unsuccessfully charge to the outgoing data. All of the results are then returned to the controller for future actions.
The ad distribution system ("ADS") is in charge of managing and delivering all item data to the client, including but not limited to ads, coupons, discount cards, prepaid charge numbers, and the like. The ADS receives the UID from the controller and the log data from the client. It first processes the log data, possessing records of advertising items deletions, such as coupon, from memory, marking those advertising items as removed from the client. Second it records views, uses and deletes of advertised items. All used and expired advertising items are marked to be deleted from the client memory and commands to do so are added to the outgoing command queue.
The ADS checks incoming data for any requests from the client for specific requested advertising items such as coupons, for instance if the client entered a code or otherwise indicated it wanted a coupon for a specific item or set of items either via the client or the web, or purchased items that need to be delivered, and adds them to the outgoing queue. The ADS checks if any advertising items have been explicitly sent to the client by another client and adds them to the queue in order.
Finally the ADS checks the database of available advertising items not yet delivered or planned to be delivered and selects a subset that best match the client's profile. This is a two step processes. First, available advertising items are filtered on client information such as age, gender, location (either zip code or location information processed by the client manager) and all advertising items whose distribution demographics requirements do not include the client are excluded. Advertising item data can include explicit restrictions or targets for one or more of these demographics that mean the advertising item would not be valid to be delivered under any normal circumstance to this client. Second, all remaining advertising items are given a score on a scale of 0.0-100.0 on how good a fit they are for the client. This includes filtering based on the same demographics as before except now using the suggested range information included in a coupon data.
By way of illustration, and without limitation, a coupon might only be allowed to be delivered to people age 18-45 of either gender but would prefer to reach age males 24-35 years old. In addition, the categories this coupon falls into are compared with ones this client has already used or not used (e.g., expired or deleted) and values are added or subtracted from the total score accordingly. The ADS then checks what other clients have used this coupon and if their coupon usage patterns and demographics match this client. For instance, if this coupon, perhaps one for diapers, was used by others who also used a coupon for baby formula, and this current client used the baby formula coupon, the score for this coupon for diapers would be increased. The greater the similarity between two clients, the more coupons in common they either used or did not use, the higher the score is increased for a coupon used by one but not by the other. This in turn is done for all clients who have a similarity, producing a final score.
Finally for any coupon that uses random values to provide rewards, a random number is chosen and the final values of the coupon are generated and a use code is assigned. In some cases this use code will be the same across all coupons, for example, a generic discount coupon that have the same UPC, and in other cases each have an a unique code. This allows one time use coupons, coupons that acted as cash or cash equivalents or any other situation where either individual tracking of coupon use at Point-of-Sale was critical or enforcing a one-time use policy was desired. The list of possible advertising items, such as coupons, is then sorted by score is returned to the controller.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the display manager has three primary functions. The three functions are, keeping track of what kind of list viewer the client has and how many advertising items it can handle, determining what display's and images are already installed on the client and how much free space is available for more and finally delivering any additional display's or images necessary to view new advertising items being delivered.
The display manager receives the UID and log information from client and advertising item information just generated by the ADS from the controller. The display manager first processes the log data, noting all deleted advertising items, images and display's and updates its understanding of how much space remains on the client for addition images, displays and ads. Second the display manger considers the current list view display installed on the client and if any new updated ones are available and, if so, adds them to the outgoing queue.
The display manager considers the list of advertising items from the ADS, first trimming the list by removing those with the lowest score until the list is of a size that the list display that is or will be installed can handle based on technical and HCI requirements. The display manger then proceeds thought the list from highest score to lowest, determining what additional display's or images are necessary for that advertising item. It continues until the total size of the additional data hits the maximum for the client. The display manger then adds the display's images and advertising items selected to the outgoing queue.
The display manager examines the list of deleted advertising items and current advertising items and decides which images and display's are no longer necessary for the client and appends to the queue commands to the client to delete the unnecessary ones. This data is then returned to the controller. At this point the controller sends the complete set of commands and data to the client and closes the network connection.
In addition to client access some of the systems or parts of the host server systems are accessed via a web browser for clients to view or edit data or request. These include the CDS, UMS and the ADS.
The CDS is a system for making the client available for download. One method for distributing the client is via SMS where a SMS is sent with a download link to the client hardware. When the link is followed the client is installed. The CDS has two parts, one getting this SMS message to a client and second hosting the link to download the client, as illustrated in
In various embodiments of the present invention, an SMS is sent with the client download link in numerous methods. One is to request it via another client application already installed. The client enters a phone number of the portable device that should receive the SMS and the client transmits it to the CDS along with the UID of the requesting client for tracking purposes. The CDS logs this information and sends a SMS with a link to a servlet on the CDS server. The link has an unique ID embedded in it to track how many people use this link, if this SMS if forwarded to others.
The client download link can also be requested by sending a empty SMS message from the portable device in question to a specific number or short code which the CDS monitors and responds as above sending the SMS to the same device that sent the original SMS. Finally the phone number, email address or other contact information, and the like, can be entered in a web form. In addition the UID or phone number of the referred can be entered. Again an SMS, as described above, can be sent to the phone number in question. In all of these cases, a code could also be included either in the SMS message or on the website to indicate the client is signing up for a specific advertising item to start.
When a link in a SMS is followed, the CDS server receives the request, logs the ID in the download link and checks the header information passed with the browser request. Based on this information the CDS server decides which version of the application to deliver to the portable device in question, and sends a redirect request to the browser that points at the actual download URL for this version of the client.
When a new client connects for the first time, the CDS can be checked to see who or what should receive credit for getting the client to the host server. If it is another client, it might receive some kind of credit or special advertising item while someone paid to sign up clients could be tracked to see how well they do their job. Additionally, the host server is checked for any special code to indicate that certain advertising items or data should be delivered as soon as possible. One embodiment of this flow. A client can also access its personal information and profile via the web. The UMS provides both authentication for web site login and the ability to view and edit certain information.
If a client desires access via the web site, the client enters the client's portable device ID on the site. The site then sends to the client a random password for the first login. This, combined with the client's portable device ID, allows the client access to the UMS and all other web based systems. The UMS acts as a universal authentication system for all the web systems. The UMS is responsible for providing basic authentication tools, the ability to change passwords, recover a lost password, and the like. Additionally, the client can view its personal profile, edit demographic data, provide addition demographic data, view billing information, update billing data and perform other tasks on their personal data.
The ADS can be partly accessible online. The client can see what advertising items it currently has, search the advertising item database for addition advertising items it wants to have downloaded, view previously used advertising item data and access other data. Additionally, the ADS is responsible for allowing advertising items to be sent to a specific client. As discussed before from within a client the present invention provides that a specific advertising item can be sent to another client.
There are two ways the ADS can be used. The first is where one client to sends an advertising item or set of advertising items to another client. By entering some unique information about the client, for instance an email address, device id, phone number or the like, and selecting the subset of advertising items it wants to send, the ADS records the fact that these advertising items were specifically requested by others, giving them a high score the next time that client's client connects to receive new data. Second, a client can follow an outside link from a website, email or other source that contains an advertising item ID. This takes the them to this ADS website where, by entering their client ID, can alert the system that the next time the client connects it wants the advertising item indicated by the ID in the link it followed. This link can be provided several ways including, by another client or by a corporation advertising its advertising items via email, a website, flyer or in another manner.
Referring to
Client demographic and client historical data is loaded to the host server. Coupons are loaded from customers to the host server, as shown in
The client can be presented with a view of the coupons it currently has. At the same time, a network operation starts in the background, connecting to the host server and checking for new display's and new coupons. The host server can upload any information gained in response to client actions, including but not limited to, coupons viewed, used, deleted, the scrolling that took place, how often the application was started, exited, when a network conductivity failed, how long a client spent looking at any once screen, the interactions selected by the client, and any other client action performed on the display.
Selected coupon results are delivered from the scored coupons to a mobile device of the client in response to the scoring and sorting.
Demographic scoring criteria of the client are applied to the coupons. Customer request criteria can also be applied to the coupons. The application of the customer request criteria can be achieved by loading customer contract information to the host server. A coupon score is then increased or decreased based on the amount the customer pays for each coupon redemption an/or deliver. Coupon scores are then adjusted in response to preferences provided by customers to the host server. These preferences include, placement of coupons in a ranked ordering, preferred coupon display location on a screen of the mobile device, size and quantity of graphics used, fonts, client alerts, and the like.
In one embodiment, the step of applying client preferences includes utilizing client preferences to the scores of the coupons. In another embodiment, client category preferences are used to adjust coupon scores. Data sources can be used that are external to the host server to assist in the scoring of the coupons. By way of illustration, and without limitation, an external data source can be the purchasing history stored by a merchant on a specific client, historical and or geographic data on purchasing trends, real time data on current purchases, and the like. Customer data relative a client can be used to assist in scoring the customer's coupons for that client.
In one embodiment, the host server formats coupon data by compacts into a custom client language to provide for efficient parsing of data, as discussed above.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for loading a layout with advertising item data. Layout header data is parsed. A layout item object is then built. Global layout variables are replaced with values. Each unresolved global variable in the created object containing data structures is replaced with a global value from a settings file.
Local layout variables are replaced with data from content objects. Each local variable in the created object containing data structures is located. A look up is perform for variables in an associated content object. Variables are replaced from created object that contain data structures with a value from the content object. Calculations associated with the variables are completed. At least a portion of the variable string representations are converted into another type of data.
Displayed data is then created. A determination is made for each layout item object to see if it is a loop layout item. The parsing layout header data includes, parsing out ID numbers that represent the layout. Global settings associated with the layout are also parsed out. In building a layout item object, layout component strings are parsed in a layout. Object containing data structures are created for each component string.
At least a portion of converted and non-converted data is painted onto the screen of a client's portable device. Each display set consists of a unique display ID and a set of one or more screens each with an ID unique within this set. In turn, each screen consists of a set of items that consist of but are not limited to, strings to display including font size, color and location; shape to draw, including which shape, location, color and fill if any; Image, including a unique image ID, location and if it is animated or not. In addition each item can be interactive or not and include one or more response's to an interaction, including reading or storing data, replacing itself with another item or other response. Also any value for a field can instead of a value have a id which can later be filled in by the coupon. Each screen can include a list of initial items to display. Instead of an absolute layout a relative layout can be used, either to other objects to the edge of the screen, such as by example using a layout manager, and the like.
By way of illustration, and without limitation, a simple display with one screen can be described as shown in Table 1 and a coupon driving it in Table 2.
It will be appreciated that the method set forth in Tables 1 and 2 is given by way of illustration, and other methods can also be utilized.
A display can be transmitted in a much more compact form, and in one embodiment, XML is used.
In other embodiments, the coupons are broken down by categories, allowing the client to search coupons, to sort by discount or expiration date, grouping by. brand or store, showing only a logo with a discount to allow more to be shown, giving more detail with a second line of small text below each line above, showing only those that could be used within a certain radius of the clients current location, and the like.
From this illustrated screen, the client can either delete or select a coupon. If the coupon is deleted, it is removed from the list. If the client views the coupon, the client is taken to the detail view that is defined by the display information associated with that coupon.
The display view then controls what is seen and responds to client actions until the client indicates it is done viewing that coupon. At that point log information is updated, the list of coupons used is updated, and the client is returned to the list view. The display can support all advertising items. This includes any number of screens, each with any item or area on the screen being an interactor and allowing for animated images. The screen can support interactive coupons or ads including but not limited to, quiz's where right answers can lead to higher discounts, scratch off games, coupons with randomness, for example spinning a wheel to get a discount, or mini-games of any type with high scores leading to discounts, GPS based games where a client needs to reach certain coordinates to receive a discount, coupons or loyalty cards that require the client to reach the range, and the like.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a campaign management system (CMS) is provided for creating, managing and reviewing the results of advertising and advertising item campaigns, sales of discount cards or other digital items, sales of actual items and any other data that is presented to the client via the portable devices and the clients response to it. The. CMS can be used by internal sales engineers or customers to detail what kind of campaign they want-to run. In one embodiment, there are three parts to designing a campaign, the contents of the advertising item or ads, the target demographics and the number of advertising items or ads delivered and how often they should be delivered. Each of the parts can be combined in multiple ways to create a campaign. The results can be viewed either at this campaign level or for any piece. For instance, one can look across a series of campaigns to see how well a specific advertising item did.
The first step in the process of using CMS is creating an account for a customer. This is done once for each contract established and along with basic customer information it includes details on the length of the contract, negotiated base CPM (cost per thousand of advertising items delivered) and other details. Once done, accounts are also created for customers who need access to this system. Accounts type include but are not limited to, view results only, create campaigns and authorize campaigns with each later one including all the access of the previous account type.
The final task of the CMS is to provide real time results of a campaign status to clients. At any point a client can access the CMS and view how many advertising items have been delivered in relation to a specific campaign, how the distribution is spread across any of the demographic areas and again broken down by demographic who viewed, used or delete the advertising item. Finally they can see this information on a campaign level or a advertising item level. The data can be exported as comma delimited output for import into statistical packages or they can view charts and graphs generated by the CMS. Depending on the contact in place, only some part of this data might be accessible to the client, with extra fees required for a more detailed breakdown.
In addition to the CMS, certain embodiments of the present invention provide administration systems for managing clients, advertising items, display's, reports produced based on these results and the like. These are designed for use by the staff only and provide complete access to most of the data fields storied in the database. Via a web interface, these values can be updated and modified. With the exception of the display upload tool, these tools would only be used infrequently for modifications to fix errors.
The customer does not have to create every discount. The CMS can tie into the customer's inventory and sales tracking system. Based on current inventory needs, current selling patterns, under stocked or over stocked items and the like, discount coupons or other targeted ads can be delivered or not delivered to their appropriate clients to help balance the customer's inventory.
In another embodiment of the present invention, generally illustrated in
A new demographic profile is created for client targeting. Customers are provided with an opportunity to select client demographic parameters. Customers are also provided with an opportunity to select scores for preferred client demographic data. An estimated delivery count of content of the advertising item is displayed. Customers can then repeat the first two steps in this paragraph. Optional boosters can be selected to increase delivery probabilities of the advertising item. The boosters are selected from at least one of, placement of coupons in a ranked ordering, preferred coupon display location on a screen of the portable device, size and quantity of graphics used, fonts, client alerts, and the like. A demographic profile is saved and named by the customer.
A new advertising campaign is created that links content deliverables and demographic profiles relative to the advertising item. Saved and named entered data and uploaded images are selected. Saved and named demographic profile are also selected. Start and end dates are established for the advertising campaign. Maximum costs or impressions of clients relative to the advertising item for the advertising campaign are indicated. The customer then approves a final advertising campaign.
Final advertising campaign data is sent to the host server. The new advertising campaign is launched. The advertising campaign results are then viewed by the customer. Customer's are provided with access to advertising campaign results. The customer can then view at least one of, number of discounts redeemed, number of discounts viewed, demographic breakdown of users who redeemed or viewed; geographic breakdown of the above, temporal breakdown of the above, total costs of the advertising campaign, and the like.
The first step to creating an advertising campaign is defining the actual advertising item such as a coupon or ad. This is done first by selecting the base display that will be used. The display comes up on the screen with blank spaces where text, images or other dynamic data will go. At this time the host server provides a base CPM based on the complexity of the display selected and the current contract. The client names the advertising item and then fills in, uploads and otherwise provides all the necessary data for blank spaces. In interactive advertising items, for instance ones with random rewards, percentages are also given for the probabilities of any one reward coming up. This finished advertising item is then saved.
The second step is creating a demographic description of the target group. This is not linked to the advertising item in any way at this point. The client names their demographic group and then can add criteria in two ways. First, they can absolutely restrict their distribution by indicating ranges or choices in demographics, for instance that a advertising item should only be delivered to people ages 22-48. In addition, however, they can also indicate preference, for instance delivering the advertising item to people age 28-38 should take priority. As they make changes the system checks the data with the host server and reports how many clients match the criteria chosen so far.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided of downloading advertising items from a host server to a portable device of a client. A client's device information, relative to the client's portable device, is received at the host server. A determination is made, from the client's device information, the model or version of the client's portable device. In response to the step of determining, a client ID is embedded in the client's portable device. Client software is delivered from the host server to the client's portable device. The client software is used for downloaded advertising items relative to a product or service from the host server to the client's portable device. By way of illustration, and without limitation, the client software can be written in J2ME (Java2 Portable Edition), be ported to Symbian, BREW, Palm OS and .NET for windows CE, and the like. In addition as new portable device OS's and development languages evolve the client software can be easily ported to them as well. By way of illustration, and without limitation, the J2ME application can installed onto a cell phone by sending an SMS message to the phone with a download link. The client selects the link and then automatically install the software. However, the url can also be entered by hand in the devices web browser or the software could be transferred over a download cable.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a display upload tool ("GUT") is provided. For advertising items the GUT takes the XML file (like the type above) and uploads it into the CMS, making it available as a choice when designing a advertising item. However, for display's to replace the list view, while an XML file is again uploaded, additional data has to be provided. A display controller is told how to distribute the new list view. For instance, it might only be to certain demographics (for example people under 18), or to a certain random percentage of the client base (for testing) or only if more then a certain number of advertising items are kept on the portable device.
The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
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I'm not scared of the dentist per se, but I certainly do not enjoy the appointments. Between the prodding and the scraping and the whole keeping your mouth open for too long, it's a little annoying. Plus, there's always the possibility that he tells me that I have a mouthful of cavities or I need a root canal or something awful.
Last week, I finally went in for an appointment. I haven't been in to see a dentist in an embarrassingly long time. I'd give you a firmer date than that, but it's truly longer than I care to share. I actually don't even remember the name of the last dentist I went to see because he retired shortly after my first and only appointment with him since he retired shortly thereafter. He was one of the best dentists I've ever been to and I was sure I wouldn't find a comparable one with the same type of chair-side manner. My work has dental coverage and it covers two cleanings per year, which I haven't exactly been using recently. So I finally broke down and made an appointment with the dentist my boss goes to. He was raving about how great his dentist was, so I figured, why not?
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by name. I've never even been there before! It was a nice touch and also helpful that the women were so cheerful. After another nice woman took my x-rays, the head honcho came in to talk about them and poke around my teeth with the sharp pokey thing...otherwise known as an Explorer or Probe. I was holding my breath (literally) and staring up at the ceiling trying to distract myself by counting the holes in the ceiling tile. After an eternity, or a few minutes rather, he was done and gave me the verdict.
I need to have my teeth cleaned and have three small cavities filled. He's more concerned about me getting my super strong, healthy teeth cleaned than the itsy bitsy cavities at the moment. I'm not really concerned either way. I'm not particularly looking forward to any of it, but it needs to be done! Better step it up on the flossing in the meantime.


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