Advertising demographics reporting system

Abstract

The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for compiling and furnishing demographic data to advertisers based upon a plurality of promotions deployed during free phone calls.

Description

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a caller and a call recipient.

FIG. 2 portrays a print or television ad for placing a FreeCall^SM, which is viewed by the caller.

FIG. 3 shows the caller placing a FreeCall by dialing 1.888.FREECALL.

FIG. 4 reveals the caller as she listens to the FreeCall^SM greeting.

FIG. 5 shows the caller as she listens to a brief commercial message.

FIG. 6 depicts the free call between the caller and the recipient.

FIG. 7 shows additional ads being played during the later stages of the call.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram which shows one of the preferred embodiments of the network which may be utilized to implement the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are examples of Advertising Deployment Reports which may be sold to advertisers.

FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 furnish illustrations of alternative embodiments of the invention pertaining to market research, surveys and political polling.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of: initiating a call by dialing a toll-free telephone number from a caller's telephone;automatically connecting said call to a call server means for routing calls via a dial-around means for directing said call to its intended recipient; said call server being connected to a recorded promotions server means for deploying an audio promotion;playing said audio promotion; andconnecting said caller to a recipient's telephone.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of: requesting demographic information from said caller.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's location.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's age.

5. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's gender.

6. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's annual income.

7. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's spending habits.

8. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's marital status.

9. A method as recited in claim 2, in which said demographic information comprises: said caller's occupation.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of: recording a response from said caller as a result of requesting demographic information from said caller.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, comprising the additional step of: providing a reward to said caller for supplying demographic information.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of: producing demographic information about said call automatically.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, in which said demographic information includes the time of day of the call reckoned by a clock at said recorded promotions server means.

14. A method as recited in claim 12, in which said demographic information includes the location of the call determined by caller-id equipment located at said recorded promotions server means.

15. A method as recited in claim 12, comprising the additional step of: selecting an audio promotion for deployment during a call based on said demographic information obtained from said caller.

16. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said call is a local call.

17. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said call is a long distance call.

18. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said call is an international call.

19. A method as recited in claim 1, in which both said caller and said recipient participate in said call without charge.

20. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said call is first connected from said caller's telephone to a caller's local exchange carrier.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, in which said call server means is co-located with said caller's local exchange carrier.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, in which said call server means is located remotely from said caller's local exchange carrier.

23. A method as recited in claim 20, in which said call server means is located offshore.

24. A method as recited in claim 20, in which said recorded promotions server means is co-located with said caller's local exchange carrier.

25. A method as recited in claim 20, in which said recorded promotions server means is located remotely from said caller's local exchange carrier.

26. A method as recited in claim 20, in which said recorded promotions server means is located offshore.

27. A method as recited in claim 10, in which said responses are provided using a telephone key pad.

28. A method as recited in claim 10, in which said responses are provided by voice and are collected using a voice recognition device.

29. A method as recited in claim 10, in which said responses are provided to advertisers in real-time as they are collected.

30. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of: recording a response from said caller as a result of requesting information from said caller concerning market research.

31. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of: recording a response from said caller as a result of requesting information from said caller concerning a survey.

32. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of: recording a response from said caller as a result of requesting information from said caller concerning political polling.

33. A method comprising the steps of: obtaining a dial-around number;linking said dial-around number to a toll-free number;contracting with a local exchange carrier for service;contracting with an inter-exchange carrier for service;linking said local exchange carrier with a recorded promotions server;obtaining promotion from an advertiser and storing said promotion on said recorded promotions server;providing toll-free calls to callers and recipients;generating an advertising deployment database; andfurnishing said advertising deployment database to an advertiser for compensation.

34. A propagated signal comprising: providing a plurality of connections among a plurality of callers and a plurality of call recipients;deploying a promotion signal to some of said callers and some of said recipients;generating a database reporting the deployments of said promotion signals for an advertiser.