Online marketing system and method

Abstract

A computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method of online marketing. At least one deal is associated with at least one competition. A plurality of user requests is received to compete for the deal as participants in the competition. Deal payment terms are determined for the deal based on a competition result of the competition.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of advertising comprising:
 receiving participant fees for a first team of participants for a deal competition;   receiving participant fees for a second team of participants for a deal competition; and   determining a first deal for the first deal participants and a second deal for the second team participants based on a competition result.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1  wherein the fees for the second team of participants is greater than the first team of participants. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1  wherein the first team fees and the second team fees are determined based on a team loyalty program rating. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 1  wherein the deal competition comprises a battle competition, and wherein health points are added based on loyalty participation. 
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 4  wherein the health points are added based on loyalty participation during the competition. 
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 4  wherein loyalty points are sponsored by a third party. 
     
     
         7 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of marketing comprising:
 receiving a plurality of requests to sell a number of prepaid certificates from a plurality of vendors;   sending acceptance responses to the vendors based on the requests;   assigning a code for each prepaid certificate;   providing a predetermined profit margin for sale of the certificates;   receiving a revenue input based on results of a first marketing event;   determining an operating profit margin for a second marketing event based on the received revenue input and the predetermined profit margin; and   operating a second marketing event in accordance with the operating profit margin.   
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 7 , the method further comprising:
 receiving at least one add-on request from an advertiser for a number of add-on advertisements;   sending an acceptance based on the add-on request;   determining the operating profit margin for the second marketing event based on the add-on advertisements.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 7  wherein the first marketing event is operated without a predetermined average certificate sale price. 
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 9  wherein the first marketing event is a Dutch auction. 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 7  wherein a type of event for the second marketing event is based on the revenue input from the first marketing event. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 7  wherein sending acceptance responses comprises sending an electronic payment.