1. A method comprising: receiving, from a user, a selection of a non-textual emoticon; inserting, via a processor, the non-textual emoticon into a text message associated with a multi-media instant message at a position in the text of the text message selected by the user; receiving, from the user, a choice of one of a plurality of animated entities, wherein the plurality of animated entities is based at least in part on the non-textual emoticon, to yield a chosen animated entity; and delivering the multi-media instant message to a recipient, wherein the chosen animated entity exhibits actions associated with the non-textual emoticon during audible delivery of the text message and at a timing associated with a position of the non-textual emoticon in the text message, such that the actions occur simultaneously with audible rendering of at least one word of the text message by the chosen animated entity, wherein the actions begin at a first point corresponding to a first predetermined amount of time before the non-textual emoticon and end at a second point corresponding to a second predetermined amount of time after the non-textual emoticon, and wherein the first predetermined amount of time is based, at least partly, on non-emoticon words surrounding the non-textual emoticon, and the second predetermined amount of time is based, at least partly, on the non-emoticon words surrounding the non-textual emoticon.
1. A method comprising: receiving, from a user, a selection of a non-textual emoticon; inserting, via a processor, the non-textual emoticon into a text message associated with a multi-media instant message at a position in the text of the text message selected by the user; receiving, from the user, a choice of one of a plurality of animated entities, wherein the plurality of animated entities is based at least in part on the non-textual emoticon, to yield a chosen animated entity; and delivering the multi-media instant message to a recipient, wherein the chosen animated entity exhibits actions associated with the non-textual emoticon during audible delivery of the text message and at a timing associated with a position of the non-textual emoticon in the text message, such that the actions occur simultaneously with audible rendering of at least one word of the text message by the chosen animated entity, wherein the actions begin at a first point corresponding to a first predetermined amount of time before the non-textual emoticon and end at a second point corresponding to a second predetermined amount of time after the non-textual emoticon, and wherein the first predetermined amount of time is based, at least partly, on non-emoticon words surrounding the non-textual emoticon, and the second predetermined amount of time is based, at least partly, on the non-emoticon words surrounding the non-textual emoticon. 4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multi-media message is sent as an e-mail, instant message, or short messaging service to the recipient.