7. TATE R00 0 ‘US 20080010 cu») United States 2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2008/0010137 Al Ho et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jan, 10, 2008 (54) PARCEL ADVERTISING SYSTEM AND Publication Clasitiation MenHOD (51) Ine, Gos 3000 (2006.01) 95) inventor: James Chen-flwa Ho, Long (2) Us. oss Beach, CA (US), Todd Avery : si Outten, Santa Monica, CA (US) 7) ABSTRACT A method and system provides a targeted advertisement on CComespondence Adres a package to be delivered to a reipleat. The advertbemcot SrErTOe 2 TOnNSOR LL {specially directed towards the recipient of the package BIBT AVENUE OF THE STARS, SUITE 2800 _-Adveniseent infomation is received from an avertser Paiaewestcramen dhat includes one or more advertisements that the averiser doses to be placed. Te advertisement infomation is Ssoociated with adverisement selection criteria A request (3) Assignee: Zadspace, Ine Los Angeles, CA forapackage to be delivered to the recipient is received. The ws) package has one or more package churactersis, and the Feeipient has one or miore reipient characteristics including a1 : atleast one location characteristic. The advertisement slee- G1) Appt Nos 1N/aé1,éaa tion eters sociated with an advertisement ae analyzed in conjunction with the package characterises and reeipient teristis associated withthe package and is reipien. iverisement for the package is either selected or ees read in response 10 the analyzing of the advertisement eee Selection erteria, package characteristics, and revipicat (63) Continuation of application No. 11/423,692, fled on characteristics. The advertisement is then placed on the Jun, 12,2006, package for delivery. (22) Filed Aug. 2006 — rnderacrge / 702 Re sore VmPatent Application Publication Jan. 10,2008 Sheet 1 of 10 US 2008/0010137 AI Figure 1: High Level Component Diagram Systems 100 ‘Communicaions Network 500 Promoter Core Systems Systems << 300 200Patent Application Publication Jan. 10,2008 Sheet 2 of 10 US 2008/0010137 Al Figure 2: Promotional Placement on Package Package Promotion 212-555-1212 Promotion Thevey | fy 322 Dd Dragon National Tour Coming to you on June 19, 2006. [Redeem this Unique] _2P USPS DBLveRY COMP fedeem this Uniques Code at Zadpace for a IMRT) J seen Neat Furehese) Promotion cmioas nz ase ND HT CODE: XXDFDS i 323 Shipping Label Promotional Label 324 325Patent Application Publication Jan. 10,2008 Sheet 3 of 10 US 2008/0010137 Al Figure 3: Overall Logical System Diagram Package Handler Promoter Systems Systems 100 ) 200 | Promowon QutputDevice | 102 | ! | | LE | Handler 101 | \ Tormials \ | ! | J | | | | [pmo | on | | | I | Terminals | \ | | I LiL Communications 500 3d Par Network af Systems Core ‘Systems 300 pee eee [Core Systems: or Processors. rare Systems 303 Analytics a a Promotional 304 | | ! mee | | Placements, | | | i | 4 | | | Systems | | | | | | | Processors Core Systems 302 Databases WF — eee ee Tore Systems] 305 oe Ee iPatent Application Publication Jan. 10, 2008 Sheet 4 of 10 US 2008/0010137 AI Figure 4: Flow Diagram Start Create Vor Promotions Handle Package _ reuea Promotion for 703 Package sat Pranaton Soy for Package Dispense and V~ 705 Place Promotion ‘on Package =Patent Application Publication Jan. 10,2008 Sheet 5 of 10 US 2008/0010137 Al Figure 5 ‘Sample Promotional Label Types Type Theivery Redeem this Unique Dragon Star Auto, Code at Zadpace for a National Tour 10% Discount on Your Coming to you 212-555-1212 Next Purchase on June 19, 2008. CODE: XXDFDS Type B 428 Theivery Dragon National Tour Coming to you ie on June 19, 2006. DDDDD 434 Redeem this Unique Code at Zadpace for a 410% Discount on Your Next Purchase CODE: XXDFDSPatent Application Publication Jan. 10, 2008 Sheet 6 of 10 US 2008/0010137 AI Figure 6 Process Flow Start Receive Promotional |_—— go Request Determine Characteristics of | — 602 Package cP Determine Promotions Valid | 604 for Request Select |—608 Promotions PSO... PSn Transmit Selected | —608 Promotions StopPatent Application Publication Database Database m2 Replace the CF with the CFL. Yes Jan. 10,2008 Sheet 7 of 10 US 2008/0010137 Al Figure 7 Determine Characteristics of Package con») Peer Characterstis. |/~702 Selec weighing |/~ 714 Secon Seceretnd Po oh Request (PR) rm We 718 Tapcy Some] agg ero weed Characteristic CF and CFL Classes (CL) oe Request (PR) ——> [Sew] 10 rad epltond | 708 ies noel Sues eet lceeenes Coneeen Posiave Carel a a [ree step the Characteristic 708 Guess chitoeete Srmatms ina Se no Does a Localized (Characteristic Filter CFL Exist fora CFPatent Application Publication Jan. 10, 2008 Sheet 8 of 10 Figure 8 Determine Promotions Valid for Request US 2008/0010137 AI Start @) Retieve Process trough |-e14 Promotion ist /~ &% Minimum Bid {~ P Fiter 804 Process trough | 816 Process rough, fraiatie Funds {~ ‘ter Filter Store vara Process through 806 Promotions for [818 Location Filter Database Request PL Process hough | 808 [Process IrougF Package Hander |~810 Business Rule Fier Process hough Promotion ~ 812 Business Rule iterPatent Application Publication Jan. 10,2008 Sheet 9 of 10 US 2008/0010137 AI Figure 9A Select Promotions Start Calculate Relevancy | 902 Ranking for Each Promotion in PL 904 Does Ranked Promotion List RPL Son RPL highest |_— 906 Contain more than TN PY lowest by number of items? ‘es | _ relevancy No ‘Modify RPL to 908 contain fist TN items Normalize | 910Patent Application Publication Jan. 10, 2008 Sheet 10 of 10 US 2008/0010137 AI Figure 98, Select Promotions (continuation) 8 Select Highest 918 Ranked Promotion by AR 920 Selection on ne permotion? highest AR and Yes Bid No rm ce More than one Sart =a No 928 Selection Zero promotions | 990 Promotions? through Special Yes Engine SE No Store Promotional |~ 932 Selections PSO... PSn StopUS 2008/0010137 Al PARCEL ADVERTISING SYSTEM AND ‘METHOD RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent ‘application Ser. No, 1/423,692 filed Jun, 12,2006, enitled PARCEL ADVERTISING SYSTEM AND METHOD, ‘which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION {0002} This invention relates generally to a system and method that utilizes an outer surface of a package for placement of advertisements intended forthe ecipint(s) of the package, and! more partculaly, to a system and method that effectively selects, targets. and dispenses advertisements ‘or other displayable materials for placement on the surtace ofa package, BACKGI {OUND OF THE INVENTION 10003) In business today, advertisers create and dissemi rate promotions, advertisements, and/or other materials 10 ‘convey infomation about various goods or services with ‘which they are associated, Such goods oF services include products, companies, brands, public services, events, and ‘causes. Additionally, advertisements andor promotions may ‘contain information inthe fomm of incentives to influence the behavior of the person or entity viewing the promotion, For ‘example, a coupon, which provides a discount for the purchase ofan item, may infldence a consumer to purchase the item. 10004} Advertisers use promotions or other advertse- mens fora variety of reasons, including by way of example ‘only, and not by way of limitation: (1) building awareness of ‘a product or service that is being promoted: (2) providing information to persons or entities eonsidering a purchase: (3) developing a preference forthe product or service thatthe advertiser is promoting ina person or eaity; (4) developing incentives fora person or entity fo encourage them to make purchase or engage in a service; and/or (5) building loyalty Jn person or entity for what the advertisement is peomol- 1. 10005] Advertisers place promotions or other advertse- ment in locations where they are viewed (and hopefully absorbed) by other persons or entities. These loeations ean be both physical andor vial (i, offline and/or on-line). For example, and not by limitation, suet Tocation inelude television, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. These advertisements or promotions can be directed regionally, according 10 cities, counties, states, or countries in which they are placed. 10006] Additionally, a wide variety of diferent mediums ‘ay be utilized for advertising. In tis sense, the medium is ‘defined as the form in which the advertisement or promtio jppears or is rendered. For example, and not by way of Timitaton, selected mediums can include: a printed page, television commercial, a web site, a computer file, 8 com puter image, a computer display, 2 magazine page, a bill board, or a mailing. Advertisers choose specific mediums ‘and locations for the placement of their advertisements in ‘onic to attempt to expose the advertisement to an intended audience. For example, a marketer of female cos Jan. 10, 2008 chose to build awareness for new ine of female cosmetics by placing an advertisement in magazine tt has © large readership of females [0007] Prequel, adverisers desire wo tye tir pro- ‘motions tothe specie demographies of users. For example, dual not By way’ of Kiniation, tgeted demographic see. tions can inelode: gender, howsebok! income, age, g60- nip region, of language. Additionally sme advertisers desire ofthe target their promotions speci individ ab who meet particular eters In his regard, “tart” is 4 technique that advensers use to attempt to inetease the ciectivenes of an advertisement. Targeting allows ad fisments to be dicted or focused towards specific i Vidas or groups who are likely to be Hnterested in or influenced by, the advertisement, Though the nse of tt acted advertising, an advertiser can bopetilly reduce the fxpense of disseminating advertisements to uninterested pats, In this manne, the overall ellectivenes nd eli ciency ofan alveising campaign can be increased due to {he reltion incon from decreased dissemination of adver. tiem to uninterested pa {0008} Various methods of adverising andlor promoting have asocatd advantages and dmwbacks. Thus aver ers are often inclined to pay professional advertising ona- Sraions, ens, and individuals to target snl csp. thei advertisement, a they sek mor effective med Jocations, and technigues for tageting, placing, and mea: suring the effectiveness of promotions. The avertisemeats andlor promotions that are suggested or used by these ents fypially include expensive mai o printed mate- Fals that ave high distribution costs assacined with them. Even Intemet-based promations, which tend to be gute ficient, sill have high costs asocited with them, since popular web sites often charge premium on a perimpres- Som basis for placing basses or inks on iit we acs Further, while Tntemet use has ines its desirable to provide a form of promotional advertisement that fs more readily viewed by the consuming public without having to dog on fo computer {0009} "To date, no completely stsfactory targeted mar- keting technic has heen iver accepted and adopted As sch, advertising and marketing personnel are constantly cling out now approaches for desirable target market ing. Aecordingly, those skilled in the art have Tong recoa- ‘vel he need foru system and meld © provide a form oF targeted promotional dvertsement thats readily viewed by 4 profiad portion of the public. This invention clearly axkosses these and othoe neds [BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Priefly, and in general tems, the elaimed invention resolves the above and other problems by providing a ‘method for determining a targeted advertisement for a package, wherein the advertisement is specfialy directed towards a recipient to whom to the package is being dliv~ fered, The method includes: eeviving advertisement infor ‘mation including one or more aalvenisements that are desired tobe placed, wherein the advertisement information js associated with advertisement selection erteria; receiving a request for a package to be delivered to the recipient, ‘wherein the package has one oF more package characters ties, and wherein the recipient has oe or more recipient characteristics including atleast one location characteristic: ‘analyzing the advertisement selection criteria associatedUS 2008/0010137 Al with an advertisement in conjunetion with analyzing the package characteristics and reipient characteristics associ ‘ted with the package and its recipient; selecting an adver- tisement for the package in response tothe analying of the ‘advertisement selection criteria, package charvelersties, and recipiont characteristics; and placing the selocted advertse- rent on the package for delivery [0011] In one aspect of a preferred method, the selection ‘of an advertisement for the package includes selecting an advertisement from a plurality of avilable advertisements In another aspect of a preferred method, the placing of the selected advertisement on the package includes placing the selected advertisement adjacent to postage on the package. In another aspect of a preferred method, the placing of the selected advertisement on the package ineludes placing the selected advertisement adjacent to postage on a postage Jabel that is affixed to the package. 10012} In one embodiment of the parcel advertising sys- tem and method, the one oF more location characterises include a destination zip code for the package. Preferably, the one or more recipient characteristics inelude a gender of the recipient, In another aspect of a preferred embodiment, the one or more recipient characterises include an age of the recipient. Preferably, the one or more package charac- teristics include the eontents ofthe package. In one embod ment, the one or more recipient characteristics include & buying history of the epient 10013] In one aspect of a preferred method, the receiving ‘of advertisement infomation including one or more adver- tisements comprises: receiving axvertsement information ‘nchiding a plurality of advertisements, wherein each adver- tisement is stored in a database, Preferably, the method Jurker comprises: receiving a roquest for advertisement to be placed on a package. In one aspect of a prelerred ‘embodiment, at Heal one package charsceriste, recipient ‘characteristic, of combination thereo is explicitly supplied fiom information provided with a package and a recipies. In another aspect of a preferred embodiment, at least one package charicterstic, rcipient characteristic. or combina- tion thereat is implicitly deduced from information explic- ily provided with a package and a recipient, 10014) In accordance with another aspect of a prelerred ‘embosliment, the method includes ereting an advertisement {or the package from parts of the advertisement information, instead of selecting s presformatted advertisement 10015] In accordance with another aspect of a prefered ‘embodiment, the method includes: analyzing the advertise ‘ment selection eriteria associated with an adverisement in ‘conjunction with analyzing the package characteristics and recipient characteristics associated with the package and its recipient; determining a relevaney ranking for the advertse- ments using at least the advertisement selection criteria, package characteristics, and. recipient characteristics wherein at east one of the axvertisements has a highest ranking; and placing an advertisement on the package for dlivery tothe recipient sing a leas the elevatey ranking, [0016] In such a preferred method, the selection boreen two oF mote advertisements with the highest ranking, is performed by using an auction bid associated with each ‘advertisement. Continuing, in such as embodiment, the tnalyring of the advertisement selection criteria, package ‘characteristics, and recipient characteristics, is performed Jan. 10, 2008 using weighted selection eriter characteristics [017] In acconlance with another preferred embodiment, a parcel advertising system provides a targeted avertise. ‘ona package, wherein the advertisement is specifically directed towards a recipient to whom to the package is being ‘delivered. The parcel averting system comprises & com: puter system that includes atleast one processor and at last ‘one datastore, The computer system further includes: means {or receiving ackertisement information including one oF nore advertisements that are desired to be placed, where the advertisement information is associated with avertise- selection criteria; means for receiving a request for a package to be delivered to the recipient, whercia the package has one or more package characterises, and wherein the recipient has one or more recipient characteristics including at least one location characteristic; means for analyzing the ‘advertisement selection efter associated with an adver tisement in conjunction with analyzing the package charac- teristics and recipient characteristics associated with the package and its recipient; and means for selecting an adver- fisement for the package in response tothe analyzing of the advertisement selection erteria, package characterisies, and recipient characteristics [0018] According to another prefered embodiment, 3 ‘method is for providing a targeted message ona package to be delivered toa recipient, The method comprises receiving ‘message placement request, the message placement request having one or more message characterises; selet- ing a package to be delivered tothe recipient, the package hnaving one or more package characteristics, and the rep cnt having one or nore location charsctersties; analyzing the message characteristics, the package characteristics, and location characteristics to’ determine message for the package; and placing the determined message on the pock- age for delivery. [0019] In yet another preferred embodiment, « method is Tor subsidizing shipping costs for a package by selecting @ targeted promotional label for placement on the package t0 be delivered toa recipient, the package having one or more characteristics, the recipient having locaton characteristics ‘The method includes receiving a plurality of promotional requests, cach promotional request having one or more promotional eharacteristies, whereia for each promotional equest, onc ofthe promotional characteristics incldes a bi price offered to place a promotion on the package; analyzing the promotional characteristics, the package characteristics, ‘and location eharscteristes to determine relevancy ranking or the promotional requests, a least one ofthe promotional requests having a highest ranking; foreach ofthe at least one fighest ranked promotional requests, placing the promotion for which the bid prie that is offered on the package for elivery; and recovering shipping costs forthe package by receiving the bid price offered for each ofthe atleast one highest ranked promotional requests BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a component diagram ofa system Tor providing targeted advenising on delivered. parcels packages, in acsorclance with ono prefered embodiment; [oo2t} FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of package That has set of advertisements on a label, in aocordance ‘with one prefered embodiment ofthe parcel targcted adver reasurements to analyze the advertisemes the package characteristics, and recipUS 2008/0010137 Al 10022] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a parcel targeted advertising system that is utilized in accordance with one preferred embodiment; 10023] FIG. illustrates a process ow diagram ofa parcel targeted advertising. method in accordance with one pre- ered embodiment; 10024} FIG. 5 ilustrates atop view of several examples of promotional label types in accordance with one prefered ‘embodiment; 10025] FIG. 6illustrates a process ow diagram ofa parcel targeted advertising method, in accordance with one pre- erred embodiment, process a received advertising request 10026] FIG. 7illustrates a process ow diagram ofa parcel targeted advertising method, in accordance with one pre- ered embodiment, 1o determine the characteristics Of @ parcels 10027] FIG. 8 illustrates a process flow diagram ofa parcel targeted advertising method, in accordance with one pre- {ered embodiment, to determine advertisements for Valid request 10028] FIG. 94 illustrates a process flow diagram of @ parcel targetsd advertising method, in aecondance with one preferred embodiment; and [0029] FIG. 98 illustrates a process flow diagram of a parcel targeted advertising method, in accontance with one preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 10030] A prefered embodiment of 2 parcel targeted-ad- Verising system, constructed in accordance with the inven- tion, enables an advertisement or other displayable materials to be selected, targeted, and dispensed onto an outer surface ‘ofa parel or package, preferably on « portion of a postage Jabel. In this manner, advertisers can effectively target “appropriate advertisements tothe recipiens of ordered par celsipackages using available space on the parce’s outer surface, which may include a portion of a postage label. The advertisements andor promotions ate created, selected, of ‘otherwise determined using parameters that have been pro- vided by, oF deduced from, the recipients of ondered parcels! packages, including by way of examiple only, and not by way ‘f limitation, charactoristies dedncible from order product ‘and the location ofthe recipient (e., zip code). Referring now tothe drawings, wherein lke reference numerals denote Tike or corresponding parts throughout the drawings and, more pariculary, 10 FIGS. 198, there is shown one nbodiment of a parcel tageted-advertising system 10 i accordance wit the invention, [0031] Referring nov to PIG. 1, a parcel targeted-adver Tsing system 10s shown that includes several components for enabling the selecting, targeting, and dispensing of ‘advertising labels on their ssaciated parcels. The preferred ‘embodiment of the parcel tareted-advertising system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a package handler system 100, 2 ‘communications network 500, a core computer system 300, ‘and a adverseripromoter system 200, In one preferred ‘embodiment, an advertiser uses @ networked computer sys- tem 200 10 create and teansmit information about theie advertisements andr promotions to eore computer systems 300 via the communications network 800, Ia other embod ments, advertisers tmnsfer information about their adver tisements to the eore computer systems 300 of the parcel Jan. 10, 2008 ‘argeted-advertising system 10 without the use ofthe adver- tiseipromoter system 200 andr the communications net- work 500. Additionally, package handlers use their computer systems 100 to request advertisements and/or promotions ‘rom the core computer systems 300 ofthe parcel targeted- aadvenising system 10 (preferably, via the communications network $00) for placement on the parcel package. 0032] ‘The core computer systems 300 then creates, selects, of otherwise determines the appropriate targeted fadverisements andor promotions using parameters that have heen provided by, or deduced from, the recipient ‘information relating to the ordered parcel/package. Conti- ing, inthis embodiment, the core systems 300 of the parcel targeted-odverising system 10 respond to package handler requests and transmit information about the adverts andor promotions tobe placed on the package. In one: embodiment, the package handler thea outputs the targeted advertisements onto a label and places the label on the associated pareel/package, In this regard, FIG, 2 illustrates f package 420 with a sct of advertisements andlor promo- tions 321, 322, and 32% on a label 325 that is placed next 10 a shipping label 324 [0033] As stated above, in the parcel ungeted-adverising system 10, appropriate targeted advertisements andlor pro- motions utilize parameters that have been provided by, oF deduced fom, the recipient infomation relating to the ‘ered parcelipackage. For example, and not bY way of Jimitation, targeting specific criteria include: information regarding who purchased a spevilic item within a specific ‘ime frame; information regarding who lives at a specific address; information regarding who works at a specific ‘company: or information regarding who belongs to & spe- cite organization, 0034} Referring now to FIG. 3, a logical system diagram is illustrated of one prefered embodiment of parcel tar {geted-adverising system 10. In this embodiment, the com- poneals are depiced ab a distrbuted system. Computer systems and system components (e, computer systems, computer code and logie, database systems, memory stor age, and the like) utilize one or mare physically or logically- separated devices, computers or terminals that interchange information over communication networks 500 [0035] In one embodiment, the parcel tageted-advertising system 10 includes a package handler system 100, an adveriser/promover system 200, 4 core system 300, third party system 400, and a communication network 800. Con- ‘ined within the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400, and rework S00 are components that include, by way of example only, and not by way of imitation, terminals, processors, and memory systems that contain, store, and process information used by the system 10, Examples ofthe specilc types of terminals, processors, and memory systems include, by way of example only, and not by way of imitation: computer systems, database systems, pointof- sale terminals, calculation deviees, telephony equipment, Galabase systems and software, random aooess memory ‘non-volatile memory, static memory, and disk systems. [0036] Inoue aspect ofa prefered embodiment, the parcel fargeted-advenising system 10 utilizes a communication setwork 800 to transmit and receive information, The com- ‘munication network S00 transmits information between ‘components of the system 10. Inae embodiment, the parcel targetedhodvenising system 10 utilizes any combination of analog andior digital communication protocols. ForUS 2008/0010137 Al ‘example, and not by way of Himitation, communieato mediums inclade: analog andor digital telephony lines, wired and/or wireless networks, computer networks of any kind, and/or cellular (or other mobile telephone spectrum) networks 10037] In one aspect ofa preferred embodiment, advertis- «ers use the advertiser promoter systems 200 to create, trans mit, and access information about advertisements andlor promotions they wish to sponsor. Using an adveriser'pro- moter system 200, the adveniser defines the nature, con- tents, and eharacteristes ofthe advertisements (“advertse- ‘ment information”), which is then transmitted as advertisement dita to the core systems processors 301, whieh store the promotion data inthe core systems databases 302, The core systems processors 301 analyze the adver- tisement information sted within the core systems data- bases 302 to determine selection criteria associated with ‘advertisement. The analysis produces an inventory of adver- tisements "advertisement inventory”), along with advertse- ‘ment information for each advertisement. In some embod ments of the parcel targeted-advertsing system 10, other ‘components (i... core systems analytics 303 and core sys- tems advertisement andlor promotional placements 304) are also utilized during this process, 10038) In another aspect of a prefered embodiment, pack- aye handlers use package handler systems 100 t0 request advertisements (andor promotions) for placement on a package. In one preferred embodiment of the parcel tar peted-advertisng system 10, package handler systems 100 Include package handler terminals 101 and one or more ‘advertisement and/or promotional output devices 102. The package handler terminals 101 transmit information about the nature, contents, al characteristics of package *pack- age information”) 10 the core systems 300. In ane embod ment, the package handler terminals 101 are used 1 request advertisements andor promotions (Cadvertisements andor Promotional request”) Tor placement on the package. Ia nother aspect of a preferred embodiment, one or more ‘advertising andlor promotional onipt devices 102 are then tused to place the selected (or crested) advertisements on theie associated package, In one prefered embodiment, the package handler systems 100 include postage placement personnel, 10039] Ina preferred embodiment of the parel targeted- ‘advertising system 10, the core system processors. 301 receive, analyze, and retum advertising and/or promotional requests. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the most suitable advertisements for a given package are identified using core systems analyties 303 and core systems adver ing andlor promotional placements 304, a6 well as (op- tionally) thd party processors 401 and third party databases 402, Duc to the benefit in targeted advertising, advertiser: and other third parties (using tied party processors 401 and third party databases 402) have begun of increased thir collection and analysis of market information (e.., sales data, census data, demogriphics, and retail purchases) 10 sssist in targeted advertising campaigns to individuals oF groups. Through various quantitative and qualitative tech- higues (eg, data mining, predictive and trend analysis, ‘consumer beluvioral modeling, consumer interviews), these advertisers ean develop models and profiles that assist in the “development, placement, and content of an advertisement, [0040] These components (core systems analytics 303 and core systems advertising andior promotional placements Jan. 10, 2008 304, as well as optionally thd party processors 401 and third party databases 402) use the parameters issued by the package handler systems 100 jn conjunction with the core ‘Systems databases 302 to identify (or create) st of eligible ‘advertisements and/or promotions. In another aspect of a preferred embodiment, core systems business logic 308 Tuner refines the resulis until a set of advertisements andlor promotions customized to the nature, contents, and cherae- {eristics ofthe advertisement andlor promotional request is identified (Grom a list or matrix) or created (using avertise- ‘meat generation formulas oF rules). The package handler terminals 101 roocive the customized advertisement andlor romotion set asa reply to the previously issued advertise ‘and/or promotional request. As described above, the advertisement set is then applied to the package by the ‘advertising andor promotion output device 102 uilizing an appropriate medium. [0041] In one preferred embodiment, the parcel targeted- adverising system 10 implements a business rule to deter ‘mine (or cer) the cost effectiveness of dispensing the advertisement andlor promotion, Preferaly, this occurs after the advertisement andior promotion has been selected (or created), but before the advertisement andlor promotion thas been placed on the parcel. Specifically, once the adver- tising andlor promotion has been generated, the parcel ‘argeted-advertising system 10 looks atte total revenue that the particular advertising and/or promotion represents (i. the Sum total cost of the individual adverisement andior promotion placements). Ifthe total revenie is below some threshold, the parcel targeted-advertsing system 10 will not sponse the advertisement andor promotion, The purpose ofthis rule i to enable one or more of the systems (€, either the core system 300, the package handler system 100 the advertser/promoter system 200, and/or the thin party system 400) 10 dotermine ifthe advertisoment andlor pro- ‘motion is economically viable Otherwise stated, this rule sdtermines whether the revenue generated from the dispens- ‘ng ofthe advertisement and/or promotion justifies the casts associated with the dispensing ofthe advertisement andlor promotion (e., labor, printing, paper, and the like), [0042] Referring now to FIG. 4 a process flow diagram is illustrated of one prefered embodiment ofa parce targeted advenising method. First, promotions (advenisements, oF ‘components thereof) are created by an advertiser, Step 701 At Step 702, package handlers handle a package. At Step 703, requested advertisements andor promotions are 0 be placed on the package. At Step 704, promotions (andlor advertisements) are selected by analyzing the nature, con- tents, and characteristics ofthe package and the available advenisements andor promotions. In another preferred ‘embodiment, the alvertisements andor promotions are ere- sted from advertisement andor promotions subcomponents used by analyzing the nature, coatents, and characteristics of the packoge and available advertisements andor promo- ‘ions, Finally the selected advertisements and/or promotions are dispensed and placed on the package, Step 705, [043] By way of example only, and not by way of Jimitation, in one preferred embodiment of the parcel tr- aeted-advertisng system 10 in operation, an advertiser (or promoter wishes to build awareness for an upeoming event Jn the Los Angeles area, As the event relates to health and ‘beauty produets for women, the promoter further desires to irect their advertisements and promotional materials towards individuals who are purchasing and/or receiving cosmetic goods.US 2008/0010137 Al 10043} In furtherance ofthis objective, on Sep. 15, 2007, the promoter ereates a promotion (Sep, 701 in FIG. 4) on 8 ‘computer system 201 (FIG. 3), The promotion contains 2 text message, “The Largest Health and Beauty Show in Los Angeles is coming Jan, 30, 2008.” Additionally, the pro= moter inludes an image with the promotion, The promoter defines addtional charaetersties for the promotion, includ Jing, by way of example, and not by way of limitation: valid dates of Nov. 1, 2007 through Dee. 31, 2007, and a valid region of all postal codes within 100 miles of the Los Angeles postal code 90084. Referring again to FIG. 3, inthis ‘non-limiting example, the promoter transmits the informa- tion about the promotion from the computer 201 tothe core systems processors 301 over the Internet $00 on Sep. 16 2007, [0045] Continuing, inthis non-limiting illustrative ‘eximple,a package hander processes package on Nov. 14, 2007 (Step 702 in FIG. 4) that contains cosmetic goods and js being shipped toa posal cade within 100 miles of the Los Angeles postal cole 90034. Additional, the package is due to be shipped on Now. 16, 2006. In one preferred embadi- ment, the package handler desires to place ane or more ‘advertisements andor promotions on the surface of the package, due to financial considerations or other compen- sation provided tothe package handler. In another preferred ‘embodiment, the other parties (eg, the advertisers, opera torsof the core systems, package recipients, or combinations thereof and the like) may be the ones that desire one or more advertisements and/or promotions to be placed on the sur face of the package, due to financial considerations or other ‘compensation. Using the package hiandle’s computer sys- tem 101, 9 request is made (Step 703 in FIG. 4) t the core systems 300 for one oF more advertisements andlor promo- tions. In one specific, non-limiting embodiment, the request js transmitted via an analog modem over an analog phone line 300 from the package handler's computer system 101 to the core systems 300, In other prelerred embodiments, various other types of transmission devices may be used that uilze various other mediums of tansmission, as well as ‘numerous different categories of communication networks 500, In some preferred embodiments, the requests, adver- tisement information, and/or advenisements to be placed may be deliveredor otherwise transmitted without the use of 1 communication network S00, [0045] In one aspect of the parcel targted-advertising system 10, the core systems processors 301 receive the reauest, The quest is thea analyzed by the components of the core gystems 300, whieh preferably include core ystems processors 301, core systems databases 302 core systems Snalyties 303, core systems promotional placements 304, ‘an core systems business logic 308, Optionally, other third party systems 400, which include third party processors 401 ‘and third party databases 402, analyze the request. This analysis determines that a promotion exists that can satisfy the request and seleets this promotion (sep 704 in EG. 4) Jorthe package handlers request. Altematively this analysis ‘determines that a promotion can be ereated that ean satisfy the request, and it creates this promotion, In this non- Timitingilustrative example ofa parcel targeted-adverising system 10, the core systems processors 301 then respond to the package handler terminals 101 with the promotion for the upeoming event in Los Angeles. [0047] AC this point, the parcel targeted-advertsing sys- tem 10 determines (or certifies) the cost effectiveness of Jan. 10, 2008 ispensing the advertisement andlor promotion, Preferably, {his occurs aller the advertisement and/or promotion bas been selected (or created), but before the advertisement ‘andor promotion has been placed on the parel. Specifically, ‘nee the advertising and/or promotion has been generated, the parcel Lageted-edvertising system 10 looks at the total revenue that the panicular advertising andor promotion represents (i. the sum total cost of the individual adver- tisement and/or promotion placements). If the total revenve is below some threshold, the parcel tangetod-advertising system 10 will not dispense the advertisement andlor pro- ‘motion, The purpose of this re is (o enable one or more of the systems (e., either the core system 300, the package handler system 100, the advertiser/promoter system 200, andor the third party system 400) to determine if the advertisement and/or promotion is economically viable (Otherwise stated, this rule determines whether the revenue szenerited from the dispensing of the advertisement andor promotion justifies the costs associated with the dispensing fof the advertisement andor promotion (ei. labor iting, paper, and the like). [0048] Lastly, the package handler prints out the promo- ‘ion (Step 706 in FIG. 4) ona label by way of a color printer 102 resident with the package handler computer system 101 The package handler places the label with the printed promotion on the package and ships the package to the recipient. In another preferred embodiment, the alvertise- ‘ment and/or promotion is placed on the onter surface of the package using other techniques, such as direct printing on the package iisll instead of on a label. In one prefered embodiment of the parcel tageted-advertising system 10, the advertisement andor promotion is placed on a previ- ously unused portion of a postage label. In this manner, a package handler (or entity performing an equivalent func- ‘ion) may combine or partially combine the postage afixing process with the advertisement affixing process. Continuing, iscounts or other fnaneial compensation for placing the ‘advertisements on ther associated packages may be directly interrelated with postage costs (eg, recipients of packages that contain advertisements may be eligible for fee or reduced price shipping). [0049] Processing an Advertisement andor Promotional Request: [0050] In one embodiment ofa parcel urpeted-advertising system 10, package handlers transmit information about the ature, conten, and charaeteristies of package tothe core system 300 to request advertisements or promotions for placement om the package, This information is embodied ia an advertisement andor promotional request message. The Torm of the promotional request is dependent on the com- ‘miinication medium in which the advertisement andr pro- ‘motional request is transmsited to the core system 300. Tor example, and not by way of limitation, forms for the promotional request include: (1) HTTP GET request for a ‘web application that accesses the core system 300 over @ ‘motion, Fach advertisement andr promotion contains” (1) ‘alist of valid postal codes; (2) alist of valid dates; (3) alist, ‘of categories (ie. nodes N) PNODES for which the promo- tion is related; (4) a placement type: (5) an ation bids and (6) a “maximum spend” over some time period, 10129] Referring again to FIG. 6, the system identifies @ st of valid promotions (VPs) forthe promotional request by passing the complete set of advertisements and/or promo- tions through series ofrate filters, Step 604, With rference to FIG. 8, a process flow diagram illustrates a method for determining Sdvenisements and/or promotions for a valid request. At Step 802, the advertisement and/or promotion list js retrieved. Each rule fier takes as input a set of adver- tisements and/or promotions and outpuls a subset of adver tisements and/or promotions that are valid forthe specific rule, The output from one rule filler is used as input into the next le filter inthe series, In one embodiment, rule fiers ‘ean be processed in any onder. By way of example, and 201 by way of imitation, a sample series of rte filers fllows: Jan. 10, 2008 [0130] 1. Date Filter: Seleet promotions that are valid forthe date specified in the promotional request, Step 804. [0131] 2. Location Filter: Seleet promotions that are valid for the postal code specified in the promotional request, Step 806. [0132] 3, Placement Type Filter: Select promotions that fare valid forthe types of placements for the promo- tional request (eg, black aod white versus colar, size, and the lke), Step 808. 0133] 4. Package Handler Business Rule Filter: Select ‘promotions tat are acceptable to the package handler, Step 810, The system maintain a black lists and white lists for each package handler: 10134] a, Block Tiss 10135] i) The package handler does not accept ‘promotions from specific promotional partners or the clients of specific promotional partners 10136] ii) The packoge hnndler does not accept promotions thil coatain specific content. Por example, the package handler does not accept promotions tht are adult ia nate 0137] b. White list [0138] i) The package handler only accepts pro- notions from specific advertisers or clients of advertisers. 10139] if) The package handler only accepts pro- ‘motions that contain specific. content. Tor example, the package handler only accepts pro- ‘motions that contain Christian content [0140] 5. Promotion Business Rule Filter: Promotions that are acceptable wo the promotional partner are selected, Step 812, The system maintains black lists nd white lists for eaeh promotional partner: [0141] 2. Black fist: [0142] i) The promotional partner does not place promotions with specfie package handlers. {0143} ii) The promotional partner does not pla promotions on packages that contain specific ems, For example, Higaiesi does not advertise ‘on packages that contain Pampers. oid]. White list [0145] i) The promotional parser only places pro- motions with specific package handles. 10146] ii) The promotional partner only places promotions on. packages that contain specific items. For example, Gesber® only places promo- ‘ions on packages that contain Pampers. [0147] 6. Minimum Bid Filter Select promotions whose bid valve is grester than a minimum, Step 814 [0148] 7. Available Funds Filter: Seleet promotions from advertisers that have available funds in an escrow ‘account fr the system in the event thatthe promotion isselected, Step 816, Otherwise stated, this mile ensures that each advertisement andor promotion selected in this phase can caver its associated bid costs by con firming that there are availabe funds in escrow [0149] As described above, before the advertisement and! for promotion is dispensed onto the parcel, the parcel tar geted-adverising system 10 implements 8 business re to determine (or certify) the cost effectiveness of dispensing. the advertisement andior promotion. Specifically, once the advertising andlor promotion has been generated the parcel ‘ageted-advertising system 10 looks at the total venue thatUS 2008/0010137 Al the particular advertising and/or promotion represents (i. the Sum total cost of the individual advertisement andor promotion placements). IF the total revenue is below some threshold, the parcel targeted-advertsing system 10 will not ‘dispense the advertisement andor promotion. The purpose ‘of this rule i 10 enable one or more of the systems (e.. ‘iter the core system 300, the package handler system 100, the advertiseripromoter system 200, andlor the third party system 400) 10 determine ifthe advertisement andlor pro- totion is economically viable, Ouierwise stated, this rule ‘determines whether the revenue generate from the dispens- ing of the advertisement and/or promotion justifies the costs associated with the dispensing of the advertisement andor promotion (eg. labor, printing. paper, andthe like). [0150] Afterall the rules ane processed, the system pro- ‘duces a Hist of zero or more promotions that satisfy the ‘conditions ofthe series of rule filters, and stores the lis, Step sis, [0151] By way of example, and not by way of Timitation, ‘8 sample description of processing @ promotional request tsing the male filters is as follows [0152] 1. A promotional request is received by the system, [0153] 2. The promotional request contin the follow- ing information: [154] a, Postal eode—90034 USA. [155] _b. Retigion—Budkahist [0156] c. Names James Barthlow [0157]. Placement Type—Color, "6" [0158] e. Minimum bid US. $1:50 [159] £ Date—Jan. 28, 2008, [0160] 3. At the time of the request, the system has 1,304,349 promotions stored in the promotional data- base system, [161] 4. OF the 1,504,349 promotions only 61.383 are valid for placement on Feb. 28, 2006 [0162] 5. OF te 61.383 promotions, only 4304 are valid for the postal Gade 30034 USA. [0163] 6. Of the 4.304 promotions, only 1,321 are valid for the placement type (eg, eolor printing on a Tabel 46"). {o164] 7. OF the 1,321 promotions, 15 are invalid Decause the package handler does not accept promo- tions from the promotional pariners. [0165] 8. OF the 1,306 promotions, 275 are invalid ‘beeause the promotional partner does not place promo~ tions on packages handled by the package handler. 10166} 9. OF the 1,081 promotions, only 543 are valid Thecause their bids are equal to or greater than US. $1.50, [0167] 10. OF the 543 promotions, only 432 are valid Ihecause the maximum spend limit of the promotion ‘over the maximum spends time frame is greater than the auction bid cost for the promotion, As previously described, the maximum spend rule ensures that each ‘advertisement andor promotion selected can cover its associated bid costs by confirming that there are avail- fable finds in esero. [0168] 11. 432 promotions are available to satisfy the promotional request. [0169] Advertisement and/or Promotional Seletion 10170] Referring now to FIG. 6, at this stage of the process, the advertisements andlor promotions are selected by the system, Step 606, With reference to FIGS. 94.98, a Jan. 10, 2008 process flow diagram illustrates a method for advertising fandior promotional selection. The advertising andlor pro- ‘motional selection engine analyzes package characteristics ‘and. promotions list Io delemnine Which advertisements ‘andl promotions to place that satisty’ the request. For each promotional placement, this analysis involves two steps: (1) relevaney ranking and (2) avetion, [171] Relevancy Ranking: [0172] Relevancy ranking is the process of ranking each advertisement and/or promotion ia tke promotions list According wits relevancy to the characeristies of the package. In one embodiment, at Step 902, an advertisement Andior promotion’s relevancy is ealelated as follows. For ‘each promotion in the promotions lis, select those nodes ia package characteristics that exist in the nodes PNODES Gefine forthe promotion. The resultant list contains valid odes forthe advertisement andor promotion. PNL=(Np Nis Nal [0173] where PNIL-resultant list; and N-node [0174] Each node in resultant fist contains a nodal weight- ing factor, The advertisement and/or promotion’s relevance {sa weighted sum of each NW in resultant list [0175] where PR-promotional request; RW-Weighted Sum; and NW=nodal weighting factor [0176] The result of the relevancy ranking process is @ ranked list of promotions in which each advertisement ‘andlor promotion has a relevaney score [0177] Ire ranked promotions list contains greater than 8 threshold mumber of advertisement andlor promotions (Step 904), the lst is sorted highest-to-lowest by promo- ‘ional request, (Step 906), and the ranked promotions lis is ‘modified 10 contain only the first threshold number ele- meats, (Step 908). The ranked list of advertisement andior promotions is passed to an auction engine, [0178] Avetion [0179] The input into the auction is a ranked ist of advertisement andr promotions. At Step 910, the auction ‘eomputes the normalized promotion rank of each element in the ranked promotions list by dividing eaeh promotional request by the highest value promotional request inthe list Promotional RequestMAX. NPR PRVERMAX, [0180] where NPR-normalized promotion rank [181] At Step 912, the auetion computes a normalized bid price of each element of the ranked promotions list by dividing each bid price by the highest valne bid pre in the list BPMAX. NPY RPUBIMAX. [0182] where NBP-normalized bid price: and [BP-normalized bid price [0183] At Step 914, the auction then computes the auction rank for each element ia the rasked promotions Hist by ‘multiplying the normalized promotion rank and normalized bid price values. [0184] where AR“auction rank; NPR-normalized promo- tion rank; and NBP=normalized bid price [0185] The ranked promotions list is sorted highest-1o- lowest by auction rank. Referring now to FIG. 9B, which isUS 2008/0010137 Al of the flow diagram of FIG. 9A, the promo- tion with the highest auction rank ie selected as the winner ‘of the aveton, Step 918, [0186] Ac Step 920, the system checks for a situation ‘where more than one advertisement andior promotion is ranked the highest. Next, the auetion selects the advertse- ‘ment andior promotion with the highest bi price, Step 922. At Step 924, ifthere is more than one advertisement andor promotion with the highest bid price and auction rank, dhe auction selects a winner by randomly selecting from the lis, ‘of advertisement andior promotions with the highest bid price and auction rank, Step 926. The winner's advertse- ‘ent and/or promotion is then selected to be stored, Step 932, [0187] Zero Advertisement andlor Promotions Available [0188] Ina preferred embodiment of the parcel tarpeted- advertising system 10, the system 300 (FIG. 3) checks for Whether 2er0 advertisements andor promotions were selected, Step 928, In one preferred embodiment, in the ‘event thatthe resultant promotion list from the promotion election engine or auction contains zero promotions, the system processes the promotional request through a special ‘engine, Step 930, The SE is designed to place a special advertisement andior promotional item, such as @ public service announcement, oF comporate identity promotion. Publi service announcement and corporate identity’ promo- tion advertisements andor promotions are defined as normal promotions with an additional characteris; ie, that they fre designated for exclusive use by the special engine. 10189] In one embodiment of the parce targoted-adverts- system 10, the special engine selects all advertisements andlor promotions that are designated for ils use and. pro- ‘esses the selections through the series of rule filters ‘described inthe above. The nale filters processing produces ranked set of advertisements and/or promotions for special placement, which is passed to the advertising andior pro- ‘motional selection process. In the event of ero promations, default system advertisement andr promotion is selected [0190] Advertisement and/or Promotional Placement [0191] Refering again t0 FIG. 6, in a preferred embod ment of the parcel tageted-advertising system 10, the sys- tem responds w the prometional request withthe advertse- ments and/or promotions 10 be placed, Step 608. The advertising andor promotional response’ contains one oF more advertisements andor promotions in the form that is appropriate forthe type of advertising andor promotional placement (eg. color image, black and white image, text, and the like). The advertising andior promotional response is transmitted to the package handler over an appropriate ‘communication networkin form appropriste forte receiv ing device andior application. By way of example, and not by say of imitation, appropriate forms inelude: 0192] 1. HTML response to a HTML GET request; [0193] 2. XML/SOAP response toa web serve; [194] 3. Facsimile; and [198] 4. Postscript, PCL, or other printing. protocol ‘over an electronic communications network, 10196] Ina preferred embodiment of the parcel targeted- ‘advertising system 10, the advertisement andor promotional handler outputs the advertisements and/or promotions on the advertisement and/or promotion output device 102 and places the label 328 on the package 320. [0197] In another preferred embodiment, the parcel tar eted-advertisng system 10 ean be used to provide free or Jan. 10, 2008 subsidized shipping of packages or mal though advertising, Forexample i one embodiment, puckagshapiler,such as FadEx® or UPS®, can offer a discount to patrons who are willing (0 allow targeted advertsiog to appear on Tice ackages os selected by the system described above [0198] 10 another embodiment, fulfilment agency for television, catalog, or Interact sles companies 3s sble to reduce thse shipping costs by allowing package handles to provide targeted advertising on packages containing pur heed products. The flliment agency can either take the savings a profits, or ass the savings 10 the television, Catalog or Inte sales companies. In one embodiment a ofthe costs asociated with shipping ae covered by placing the tancted advertising promotions on the packages. Sav an be pussed to the cossemers fom the television, catalog of Inert sles company to sty competitive i the markeplace {0199} In these and other embodiments, the promoters subsidize postage forthe packages that allow the shipping oss savings by requesting targeted promotional labels for Pecement on packages oe deliver othe eeipients oF Purchased products, or the like. In one embodiment, 2 ‘method provides the subsides forthe costs savings, wherein cach package has one or more characterises, and the pint of the package hos location charters. The laity of promotional requests re receive the promoters ‘wherein each promotional request has one or more promo- Tional characteristic. For each promotional rues, one OF the promotional characteristics incloes bid pric ollered motion on the package. ‘The promotional ss the package characterise, ad locaton chamterities are analyze to determine a relevancy rank: ing forthe promotional requests, wherein atleast one ofthe promotion guess has s highest inking For each of the least one highest ranked promotional requests, the ro- ‘motion for which the bid pice ot x olfered i placed on the rockoge for delivery. The shipping costs ae recovered for the package by roving the bid pric llerod foreach ofthe at Teast one highest ranked promotional ques Tor whieh a promotion is placed on the package {0200} ‘The various embodiments described above are pro Vided by way of illustaion only and should not be con- Sirved to Himit the invention. Those skilled in the art wil readily recognize varios modifications and changes tht ‘ay be mad tothe claimed invention without following the example embodiments and. applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the tue spirit tun! scope ofthe claimed invention which et fet inthe following esis. ‘What is claimed 1. A method or subsidizing costs associated with shi ping a package using a targeted advenisement, wherein the aderisement is ditectod towards a specific recipient 10 ‘whom the package is being delivers, the method compels: ing: receiving advertisement information from an advertiser, ‘the advertisement information including ane of more advertisements that are desired to be placed, where the advertisement information is associated with adver- tisement selection eriteria; receiving a request for a package to be delivered to the ‘recipient, wherein the package has one or more packageUS 2008/0010137 Al characteristics, and wherein the recipient iss one ot ‘more recipient characteristics including af least one location characteristic; analyzing the advertisement seletion criteria associated ‘with an advertisement in conjunction with analyzing the package eharaetersties and reipient characteristics associated with the package and it recipient selecting an advertisement for the package in response to the analyzing of the advertisement selection erteria, package characteristics, and recipient characteristics placing the selected advertisement on the package for delivery: and receiving compensation from the avertiser forthe lace ‘meat ofthe selected advertisement on the package to subsidize costs associated wih shipping the package to its recipient 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the costs associated wih the shipping of the package include postage, shipping handling. and combinations thereat 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the costs associated swith the shipping of the package are subsidized for the recipient of the package. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized for a seller ‘of a product shipped in the package. 5, The method of claim 1, wherein the costs associated ‘withthe shipping ofthe package ae subsidized fora shipper of the package 6. The method of claim 1, wherein all costs associated with the shipping of the package toa purchaser are paid by ‘an advertiser whose advertisement is placed on the package. 7.A method for paying costs for shipping of a packoge through a targeted advertisement, wherein the advertisement js specifically directed towards recipient to whom the package is being delivered, the method comprising receiving an advertisement from an advertiser; placing the advertisement on the package for delivery; receiving compensation from the advertiser for the plac= ing of the selected advertisement om the package to pay the costs for shipping the package to the recipient 8, The method of claim 7, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package include postage, shipping. handling, and combinations thera. 9, The method of claim 7, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized for the recipient of the package. 10, The method of claim 7, where the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized for a seller ‘ofa product shipped in the package. 1. The method of elsim 7, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized fora shipper of the package. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein all costs associated ‘withthe shipping ofthe package to a purchaser are pad by an advertiser whose advertisement is placed on the package 13. A system for paying costs Jor shipping of a package through a targeted advertisement, wherein the advertisement js specifically directed towards recipient to whom the package is being delivered, comprising: ‘4 computer sable medium having computer readsble program code embodied therein comprising computer readable cade configured to receive an adver: tisement from an advertiser: Jan. 10, 2008 uter readable code configured to authorize place st the advertisement on the package for delivery: ‘computer readable code configured to receive compensa tion from the advertiser for the placing ofthe selected advertisement on the package to pay the costs for Shipping the package tothe recipient, 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: computer sealable code configured to allocate the compensation fr the advertiser toa seller of product inthe package, buyer ofa product in the package, a shipper of the package, or ‘combinations thereof, 15, The method of claim 13, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package include postage, shipping. banding, and combinations thereof 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized for the recipient of the package 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the costs associated \with the shipping ofthe package are subsidized for a seller ‘of a product shipped in the package. 18, The method of claim 13, whereia the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized fora shipper of the package, 19. The method of claim 13, wherein all costs associated ‘with the shipping of the package to purchaser are paid by ‘an advertiser whose advertisement is placed on the package, 20, A meth! for subsidizing costs associated with ship ping a package using a targeted advertisement, wherein the advenisement is directed towards a specific recipient 10 ‘whom the package is being delivered, the method compe ing: receiving advertisement information including one or ‘more axvertisements that are desirod 10 be placed, ‘wherein the advertisement information is associated with advertisement selection erteia; receiving a request for a package to be delivered to the ‘recipient, wherein the package has one or more package characteristics, and wherein the reipient has anc or more recipient characteristics including at least one location characteristic; analyzing the advertisement seletion criteria associated ‘with an advertisement in conjunction with analyzing the package characteristics and recipient characteristics ‘ssceinted with the package and is recipient detemnining a relevancy ranking for the advertisements using atleast the advertisement seletion erteria, packs ‘age characteristics, and recipient characteristics Wherein atleast one ofthe advertisements as highest rankings ping a selected advertisement on the package for ‘delivery to the reipient using at least the relevancy rankings an receiving compensation from the adveniser for the place ‘meat of the selec advertisement on the package to subsidize costs associted with shipping the package ‘0 its recipient 21, The method of claim 20, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package include postage, shipping. handling, and combinations thereof 22, The method of claim 20, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized for the recipient of the packgeUS 2008/0010137 Al 12 23, The method of claim 20, wherein the costs associated with the shipping of the package are subsidized for a seller ‘ofa product shipped in the package. 24, The method of claim 20, wherein the costs associated ‘withthe shipping ofthe package ae subsidized for a shipper of the package. 25, The method of laim 20, wherein all costs associated ‘withthe shipping ofthe package to a purchaser are paid by an advertiser whose advertisement is placed on the package. 26. A method for subsidizing costs using a targeted advertisement, wherein the costae associated with purchas- jing « product and shipping the product in a package, and ‘wherein the advertisement is directed towards a specific recipient io whom the package is being delivered, the method comprising receiving advertisement information from an advertiser, the advertisement information including one oF more advertisements that are desired to be placed, wheres the advertisement infomation is associated with adver- tisement selection eitere receiving a request for a package to be delivered to the ‘ecient, wherein the package has one or more package characteristics, and wherein the recipient has one oF ‘more recipient characteristics including at Teast one location characteris analyzing the advertisement selection riteria associated with an advertisement in conjunetion with analyzing Jan. 10, 2008 the package characteristics and recipient characteristies associated with the package and its recipient selecting an advertisement for the package in response t0 the analyzing of the advertisement selection enter, package characteristics, and recipient characteristics: placing the selected advertisement on the package for ‘delivery: and receiving compensation from the advertiser forthe place ment of the selected advertisement on the package 10 subsidize costs associated with purchasing the product and shipping the product inthe package ois recipient 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the costs associated ‘with purchasing the product and shipping the product in the package include all non-produet cost 28. The method of elaim 26, wherein the costs associated ‘with purchasing the product and shipping the product in the package are subsidized forthe recipient of the package. 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the costs associated with purchasing the product and shipping the product in the packtge are subsidized fora seller of «product shipped ia the package 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the costs associated with purchasing the product and shipping the product in the package are subsidized fora shipper ofthe package.