[go: up one dir, main page]

WO1996036926A1 - Systemes de commercialisation multiniveau - Google Patents

Systemes de commercialisation multiniveau Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996036926A1
WO1996036926A1 PCT/NZ1996/000046 NZ9600046W WO9636926A1 WO 1996036926 A1 WO1996036926 A1 WO 1996036926A1 NZ 9600046 W NZ9600046 W NZ 9600046W WO 9636926 A1 WO9636926 A1 WO 9636926A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
participant
participants
network
individual
sponsor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NZ1996/000046
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Simon Paul Mcdonald
Brian John Selman
Original Assignee
Recognition Group Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Recognition Group Limited filed Critical Recognition Group Limited
Priority to AU58473/96A priority Critical patent/AU5847396A/en
Publication of WO1996036926A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996036926A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Definitions

  • This invention relates to multilevel marketing of goods or services, and in particular but not solely to methods of advertising, conducting market research, shopping, or providing similar services, in which participating recipients, purchasers or other entities form a network and benefit from the activity of others in the network.
  • Systems which implement the invention involve a computer platform to and from which communication with the participants is made, typically by way of telephone, facsimile, the Internet, electronic mail or postal mail.
  • Each member is a "sponsor" for subsequent members who join the system as part of that sponsor's business and contribute to his or her profits through their own respective businesses in selling goods or recruiting -further new members.
  • Each sponsor has an "upline” beginning with the member from whom they received personal sponsorship, and one or more branching "downlines” beginning with those members whom they in turn have personally sponsored.
  • Crossline from each member are other members having the same personal sponsor. There is no limit to the number or size of a member's downlines and the system is arranged in ever more populated levels of members.
  • each member begins with a link to a first level sponsor, then a second level sponsor who is in turn a first level sponsor of the previous first level sponsor, then a third level sponsor and so on upwards and backwards in time of joining the system, to a small number of initial members.
  • each particular sponsor may be thought of as having one or more first level sponsored members, who are linked to second level sponsored members which .are in turn first level sponsored members with respect to the previous first level members, and so on downwards and forwards in time, to a normally large number of the most recently recruited members.
  • the number of levels are theoretically unlimited but in practice depend on the accessibility and availability of interested individuals in the population.
  • the participants are generally consumers and are not normally concerned with distributing the material or selling products themselves.
  • the invention involves providing a computer based marketing system, maintaining a database of participants each of whom is a sponsor for or is sponsored by other particip.ants, and is usually both, interacting with the participants by distributing advertising material, conducting market research, providing a shopping service or undertaking similar marketing activities, and rewarding participants according to their personal activity and that of their respective sponsored participants.
  • the invention may be defined by the relationship between a particular new participant and a subsequent new participant who are both active in the network.
  • the former becomes a sponsor for the latter and receives some reward for the latter's specific activity.
  • This same relationship occurs throughout the network between each participant who becomes a sponsor, and each of their first level sponsored participants, or conversely between each sponsored participant and their respective first level sponsor.
  • the relationships and rewards may be extended to multiple levels of participant activity with respect to .any particular sponsor, according to a set of rules which is determined by a network organiser.
  • the methods are implemented in a largely automated fashion on a computer system which is operated by the network organiser.
  • Ongoing communication between the computer and the participants is typically made by way of telephone, facsimile, electronic mail, or postal mail.
  • participants may call an access telephone number and receive messages from a computer voice platform, while in another embodiment, material may be delivered by computer controlled facsimile.
  • participants call the computer system to place shopping orders.
  • Figure 1 shows upline and downline portions of a network with respect to a particular participant PI
  • Figure 2 shows a computer system on which the invention may be implemented
  • Figure 3 shows an advertising/market research system as a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG 4 is a flowchart for call processing in the system of Figure 3
  • Figure 5 shows a further advertising/market research system as a second embodiment of the invention
  • Figures 6a and 6b are flowcharts indicating message delivery and response processing in the system of Figure 5
  • Figure 7 shows a shopping system as a third embodiment of the invention
  • FIG 8 is a flowchart for call processing in the system of Figure 7, and
  • Figures 9a, 9b, 9c are flowcharts showing how participant activity may be assessed for a performance interval with corresponding calculation of rewards.
  • Systems and methods according to the present invention are based on a network of participating entities, typically individuals although possibly companies or other organisations, who receive advertisements, respond to market surveys, purchase goods or services, or engage in similar activities.
  • a network organiser maintains a database of participants in the network, makes contact with the advertisers, market researchers, suppliers and new participants, and operates a computer system which processes telephone calls from the participants, delivers the advertisements, market surveys, processes responses, passes orders to the suppliers and so on, as the case may be.
  • Most individuals will have joined the network following the recommendation of an existing participant or "sponsor" to whom they become linked as a sponsored participant. They .are then encouraged to participate in one or more activities of the network and to recruit new participants for whom they in turn become a sponsor. The activity of each participant is credited to his, her or its sponsors at a number of higher levels, usually by way of direct rewards including cash payments, as will be described.
  • Various embodiments of the invention may be envisaged, including a system in which participants play an active role in contacting the network organiser to receive marketing material in various forms, or to order a product or service, and a system in which the network organiser automatically distributes advertising or research material to which the participants may or may not respond.
  • a participant in the former system may simply place telephone calls to the computer and listen while an aural advertisement is played back, or may receive a visual advertisement if a video capability is available.
  • the material may require an interactive response to questions in a market survey or simply to ensure that the participant is indeed listening or watching.
  • a participant in the latter system may receive marketing material several times a week by facsimile, electronic mail or postal mail.
  • the participants themselves are not necessarily involved in distributing the material or products further, and the systems are quite different from Amway and other multilevel marketing arrangements in this regard.
  • Figure 1 shows a small portion of an established network from the point of view of a particular participant PI.
  • Linked upline from PI is a first level sponsor FLS by whom PI was introduced to the network, a second level sponsor SLS by whom FLS was introduced to the network and of whom PI will not necessarily know or be aware, and a hypothetical n'th level sponsor NLS. From the FLS point of view, SLS will be the first level sponsor and NLS will be the n-l'th level sponsor. Ultimately there is an initial sponsor who might be regarded as a founding member of the network and may have special privileges.
  • Crossline from PI are two other participants P2 and P3 who form part of a group introduced to the network and sponsored directly by FLS.
  • Linked downline with respect to PI are four first level sponsored participants FLSPl, FLSP2, FLSP3 and FLSP4 who are probably personally known to P 1 and who joined the network subsequently to P 1. Of these only FLSPl is indicated as being linked to a second level sponsored participant SLSP, who is first level with respect to FLSPl, an n'th level sponsored participant NLSP, and ultimately one of the latest participants to have joined the network. Participants who seek to join the network without a particular sponsor in mind may simply be allocated to sponsorship by an existing participant. Each participant in the network has a single upline but may have many downlines, and it will be appreciated that only a fraction of the numerous possibilities have been indicated in this figure.
  • each participant is offered a sufficient incentive to introduce and sponsor new participants the size of the network grows rapidly, and will become increasingly attractive to advertisers, market researchers and vendors.
  • the most effective incentive is to reward each participant according to the activity of their directly or indirectly sponsored participants. For example, rewards could be distributed according to the total number of advertisements received by downline participants, to the length of time spent responding to market research, or to the total value of products purchased by those participants.
  • it will usually be desirable to limit the maximum number of levels from which any particular sponsor may take a reward for subsequent activity by downline participants. It may alternatively or in addition be desirable to limit the maximum number of particip,ants which may be sponsored at each level.
  • rewards could be limited according to the activity of participants no more than six levels deep from the particular sponsor, and each sponsor could be entitled to introduce a group of no more than six first level sponsored participants.
  • the values chosen for limiting the depth of sponsorship and the size of groups are somewhat arbitrary, and could be 1, 3, 10, 20 and so on, according to the requirements for successful operation of a particular network, but are preferably in the range 5 to 10.
  • the rewards should also depend on the extent of their individual activity. For example, the reward credited to any sponsor may be made proportional not only to a measure of the downline activity undertaken by sponsored participants, but also proportional to a measure of personal activity undertaken by that sponsor him or herself. Existing participants must then contribute more than simply a source of recruitment of new participants. This in turn ensures that the network continues to be an attractive marketing avenue to advertisers, researchers, vendors and other individuals or organisations which must pay the network organiser to have material, products or services distributed to network participants. The activity of each participant is assessed regularly at the end of consecutive performance intervals which are typically several weeks or a month.
  • a network organiser typically operates a system according to the invention though a computer which is able to communicate with individual participants over a telecommunication system.
  • the network organiser may provide a telephone access number such as an 0800 or 0900 number by which participants may dial directly into the computer to request advertising material, take part in market surveys, place orders for goods or services, or respond to other informational material which has been despatched to them. Callers respond or provide other input to the computer by punching appropriate keys on a conventional telephone keypad according to a voice menu. Direct input through voice recognition may be possible in some systems. Access can also be provided through a home page on the Internet.
  • New participants may join the network by requesting and returning a form containing various personal details, including product categories in which they may be particularly interested to receive information or participate in research, and an indication of an existing participant to whom they are linked as a first level sponsor. If no sponsor is indicated then a new participant may simply be allocated to an existing participant. Either the participant or the sponsor may be required to pay a joining fee.
  • the participant details are typically entered manually on a database associated with the computer and from there the processes of distributing material, monitoring participant activity and delivering rewards are carried out essentially automatically by various software systems. Advertisers, researchers, vendors and other organisations wishing to contribute material for distribution to, or possible purchase by the participants, will reach separate agreements with the network organiser. The rewards paid to participants and financial returns achieved by the network organiser are drawn from fees paid by the advertisers and vendors.
  • Figure 2 shows general components of a computer system 20 which may be set up by the network organiser to interact with participants by making and receiving calls through a local telephone exchange 21 and for other related purposes such as record keeping, calculation and distribution of rewards, and accounts processing.
  • the increasing speed and memory capacity of personal computing systems now available makes it possible to implement the invention quite simply and cheaply, with provision of an appropriate interface 22 having multiple lines to the exchange.
  • the computer system includes a processor 23 and memory 24, a terminal 25 including video screen and keypad, a printer 26 and hard drive memory 27. Software responsible for processing calls and carrying out functions as mentioned above is held in memory 27, which also stores various databases.
  • the network organiser operates the system through terminal 25, entering new participants on the database with appropriate links to existing sponsor participants, entering new advertising or research material or new products which may be available, ca ⁇ ying out monthly assessments of network activity, and generating postal material for participants and reports for advertisers, researchers, and vendors on printer 26.
  • Various other devices may be provided in the system including an additional tenninal, a scanner for input of advertising artwork, a backup processor and memory to handle extra calls or assist during periods when processor 23 may be inoperative.
  • the general makeup and function of computer systems of this kind will be familiar to a skilled reader and need not be described further.
  • the network organiser is responsible for day to day operation of the computer and maintenance of the software and databases. It communicates with the various advertisers, vendors and researchers who wish to operate through the network and effectively provides a service to these individuals or organisations. It will also normally be involved with promotional and training meetings for new participants in the network and in determining the various kinds and magnitudes of reward which will be passed on to sponsors. It is also responsible for general policies of operation, for developing and enforcing rules of membership and termination for the participants, and may play some role in controlling the general nature of material or products which are distributed by the advertisers and vendors. For example, there may be rninimum age or other restrictions on participants, and limitations on offensive or otherwise undesirable advertising material which might be supplied for distribution.
  • the network will also not necessarily be limited to participants having residence in a single country.
  • a sponsor may well seek to introduce friends or relatives from foreign countries and the network organiser will be entitled to make and vary membership rules regarding participants in particular countries.
  • Termination of membership and participation in the network may be voluntary or involuntary and requires special provisions in the rules. Participants may leave the network voluntarily at any time with appropriate advance notice to the network organiser, or may simply allow their membership to lapse in cases where a regular renewal fee must be paid. Membership may also be revoked by the network organiser for a sufficiently serious breach of the rules by a particular participant. Termination will usually leave an inactive "hole" in the network which may be accommodated or eliminated in various ways. In networks where there is no limit on the number of levels from which a sponsor may take rewards for downline activity, the existence of a hole will not be of great concern to the sponsor and no rearrangement of the network will be necessary.
  • first level sponsored participants FLSPl to FLSP4 following termination by PI could become sequential, with FLSPl taking the place of PI in priority over the others, and with similar rearrangements taking place downline of FLSPl where required.
  • the network organiser is responsible for the policies which may be adopted in this aspect of network operation.
  • Figure 3 is a highly schematic diagram showing principal entities involved with the first of these preferred embodiments and their general relationship to one another.
  • the embodiment is method of advertising and/or conducting market research presented in terms of particular participant 300 who forms part of a large network 320 of the kind described in relation to Figure 1, and has an upline link to one or more sponsors 310 who take some reward for that individual's activity.
  • the method is implemented on a computer system 330 of the kind described in relation to Figure 2, including hardware, software and database information, operated by a network organiser 340.
  • Advertisers or researchers 350 supply the network organiser with audible and possibly visual marketing material which is placed on the computer system in an appropriate message database for delivery to participants in the network.
  • the network organiser charges a fee to each advertiser/rese.archer, typically according to the volume of material and the number of individuals who actively receive it, although various charging schemes maybe arranged in practice.
  • Participant 300 places a telephone call to the computer system using one of several access numbers and a home telephone or computer terminal 360. They reach a voice platform to listen and perhaps also view selected advertisements for a period of several minutes, or work through a session of automated survey questions, and repeat this activity several times a month.
  • the calls are routed through a local exchange 370 which is part of a larger telecommunication system 375 and may be placed nationally or even internationally in a widely spread network of participants.
  • the computer system checks 380 a database of existing participants and delivers 382 appropriate material from the message database as will be described further below.
  • the individu ⁇ 's activity is recorded 384 in the participant database and at the end of an assessment interval the system determines and distributes rewards 390 and 395 for the participant and sponsors according to the network rules.
  • FIG 4 is a flowchart setting out steps taken by the computer system in Figure 3 when receiving calls from participants and delivering messages by way of advertising or market research.
  • a call is received 400 on one of several telephone lines and possible access numbers from the local exchange.
  • the caller is asked by a voice platform on the system to enter identification such as a name or membership number using the telephone keypad, and their status as a member of the network is checked 410.
  • a password, PIN or other personal form of identification is then requested and this also is checked 420 before access is permitted and recorded. Voice recognition may alternatively be possible at this stage.
  • the caller is offered a menu of options 425 including the usual activities of receiving advertising messages 430 or responding to a market survey 440, for which rewards are given.
  • requests for messages on topics which are selected by the caller and which may or may not generate rewards requests for information 450 concerning the caller themselves or about the network in general, and simply te ⁇ ninating the call 460 with an appropriate message.
  • requests for advertising messages 430 the caller will be usually be advised regarding details such as a maximum number of messages which may be delivered and credited to them during that call or day.
  • the system then proceeds to deliver a message 432, record the delivery 434, and offer an option 436 to continue or terminate the call at that point.
  • a number of messages prescribed by a researcher are played 442, these being typically questions to which the caller must respond 444.
  • Survey sessions will be selected by the system according to personal details which have been provided by the caller. Once a survey has been completed 446, the activity is recorded 448 and the caller is returned to the main menu 425. When providing information for the caller 450, a submenu is once again offered 452, advice is given 454, perhaps relating to the caller's group of sponsored participants for example, and the call is returned to the main menu.
  • FIG. 5 is a highly schematic diagram showing the main entities involved with the second preferred embodiment and their general relationship to each other.
  • This embodiment is also a method of marketing best presented in terms of a particular participant 500 who forms part of a large network 520 of the kind which has already been described and has upline links to one or more sponsors 510 who receive rewards for that individual's activity.
  • the method is implemented on a computer system 530 of a kind which has also been described, including hardware, software and databases, operated by a network organiser 540.
  • Advertisers and market researchers 550 supply the network organiser with advertising and survey material of a generally textu.al or graphical nature for delivery to participants in- the network.
  • the network organiser charges a fee to the advertisers/researchers according for example, to the volume of material which is delivered to participants.
  • participant 500 On joining the network each participant is asked to provide information about themselves as to the kind of advertising material they wish to receive or research in which they wish to participate. Appropriate background criteria can then be determined and stored in the participant database. A facsimile number or email address for receipt of material is also provided by the participant. Selection and delivery of messages is then carried out automatically by the computer system on a daily or perhaps hourly basis as described below.
  • participant 500 is selected 580, usually along with many others, for delivery of a particular advertising or research message according to the stored criteria.
  • the message is delivered 582 through a telephone exchange 570 to the participant's facsimile machine or computer terminal 560 and the delivery is recorded 584.
  • Each participant may respond to the computer system, typically by telephone as will be described below, and return a specific item of information from the message for verification. Responses may also be made by email or post for example, but these must be manually processed by the network organiser.
  • the computer system checks 586 the participant database and records 588 each response. A summary of the individual's activity in receiving and responding is ultimately recorded in the participant database and at the end of an assessment interval the participant and sponsors rewards are calculated 590 and 595 for distribution in an appropriate form.
  • Figures 6a and 6b are flowcharts setting out steps taken by the computer system in Figure 5 when delivering messages to participants and receiving corresponding responses.
  • a new advertising or research message may just have been added to the system by the network organiser.
  • a research message may include several specific questions. This message is selected 600 and categorised for delivery to participants according to their background criteria.
  • a response code is added 610 to the message for use by the responding participants.
  • the system then begins working 620 through the participant database and selecting appropriate individuals to whom the message will be transmitted. For each such individual the message is transmitted 624 typically by facsimile, but may alternatively be despatched by email or even printed and delivered by ordinary postal mail for example.
  • the transmission is recorded 626 and the system continues until the entire database has been scanned 628 and there are no further participants for whom the message is appropriate. Eventually the process terminates 630 and may or may not be repeated for that particular message at a later date.
  • the computer system is receiving a call from a participant in response to delivery of the message.
  • the call is received 650 on one of the available telephone lines in a similar manner to the process in Figure 4.
  • membership is checked 655 and a confidential form of identification is requested 660 for confirmation.
  • a menu of options is then offered 665 to the caller including the usual activity of responding with verification that the message has been received 670, provision or updating of information 680, or - 14 - teirnination of the call 690.
  • the caller When proceeding to verify a message 670, the caller is asked to input 672 the response code mentioned above and the response is recorded 674, before the caller is returned to the main menu.
  • Providing information for the caller 680 is carried out by way of a further menu 682 in which the system may allow the possibility of updating those criteria on which the messages are selected for delivery. For example, the caller may now wish to receive or exclude messages relating to particular categories of goods or services. The requested or updated information is advised to the caller before return 684 to the main menu.
  • FIG 7 is a further highly schematic diagram showing the main entities involved with the third preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the embodiment is a method of shopping presented again in terms of a particular participant 700 who forms part of a large network of participants 720 as described in relation to Figure 1, and has one or more sponsors 710 in the network who receive rewards for their sponsored participant's activity.
  • the method is implemented on a computer system 730 such as shown in Figure 2 including hardware, software and database arrangements operated by a network organiser 740.
  • Suppliers 750 who may be advertisers in one of the previous embodiments, pay a fee and provide the network organiser with information relating to various goods or services which may be ordered by the participants through the computer system.
  • the network organiser regularly distributes a catalogue to the participants containing this information which may include photographs, technical details, prices, ordering codes and so on, as would be found in a mail order brochure. Participant 700 who receives the catalogue may then place a telephone call to the computer system through an access number, and make an order for purchase of one or more products using a home telephone or computer terminal 760 for example. Calls reach the computer system through a local telephone exchange 770, perhaps coming from elsewhere through a national telecommunication system or even internationally if the network is sufficiently widely spread. The participant details are checked 780 against the database information before the activity is recorded 782, as will be described below, and an order is transmitted 784 to the appropriate supplier.
  • the supplier who is not part of the shopping system 730 checks the order in turn and despatches 786 the required goods or services to the participant.
  • the computer system calculates appropriate rewards related to the participant's purchasing activity and these are distributed 790 and 795 to the participant and his or her sponsors as appropriate.
  • FIG 8 is a flowchart setting out steps taken by the computer system in Figure 7 when receiving calls from participants and taking their orders for products to be delivered by the suppliers.
  • a call is received 800 on any one of the several phone lines using a telephone access number at the local exchange and the computer system responds in the same manner to that described in the previous embodiments.
  • the caller is asked by the voice platform to provide 810 their membership number and this is checked 820 against a password or PIN. Voice recognition may be possible at this stage as an alternative.
  • the caller is then offered a main menu 825 which will include options to place an order for goods or services 830, cancel an order 840, select a method of payment 850, select a method of delivery 860, or simply terminate the call 870.
  • An order is placed 830 by entering a product code 832 from the catalogue distributed by the network organiser, which is confirmed 834 by the computer system as to availability and price.
  • An order number is then issued 836 to the caller for future reference in case of any query or need to cancel which may arise.
  • the participant activity is recorded 838 for determination of rewards for the current performance interval.
  • An option to select methods of payment and delivery may then be offered from the main menu as variations on default arrangements which would otherwise be employed. These variations would normally be explained in the catalogue or may be arranged separately as standard for a given participant.
  • the option to cancel 840 requires a caller to input the related order number 842, and this is checked before the cancellation is confirmed 844.
  • the previously recorded participant activity must be deleted 846.
  • the choices of payment 850 and delivery 860 are offered in further menus 852 and 862. For example, the particular purchase may be debited immediately to a credit card, or required later with payment by cheque when the goods are received.
  • the goods may be delivered by post or courier, or perhaps received by the caller on a preferred day in the case of a service. Some details are required as input 854 and 864 in most cases. Orders are transmitted to the suppliers in batches at the end of each day by electronic data interchange, facsimile, post or otherwise as appropriate for each supplier.
  • Figures 9a, 9b and 9c are flowcharts of general relevance to each of the three preferred embodiments, indicating preferred methods of crediting particip.ant activity to the participants themselves and to their sponsors, and ultimately to the calculation of rewards.
  • the activity may be measured in various ways such as minutes of time spent listening or responding to advertising or research material in the first embodiment, number of advertisements or other messages delivered which received a response in the second embodiment, or value of products ordered in the third embodiment.
  • the activity is monitored and recorded by the computer system and used to calculate rewards according to the network rules.
  • an individual participant's activity is determined for the latest performance interval which is typically a month.
  • the calculation is initiated 900 by the network organiser and every individual in the participant database is 905 consecutively selected for consideration.
  • the individual's total activity for the interval is calculated 910, such as total listening time.
  • a rolling average including previous intervals is usually calculated 915, to smooth fluctuations in activity due to personal circumstances and encourage continuous activity. Activity over the current and previous three months might be averaged as listening time per month for example.
  • the average is stored 920 as the credit due to the individual for their personal performance. Once the entire database has been scanned 925 the information may be provided 928 for the participants as part of a mailed report or for access on request to the computer system.
  • each participant's activity is assessed for the credit which is due to the upline sponsors.
  • the calculation is initiated 930 either following or in conjunction with the calculation of Figure 9a.
  • Each individual in the database is successively selected 935 for consideration, and his or her contribution which will be credited to the performance of respective sponsors is determined 940.
  • the network rules will usually specify a maximum number nmax of sponsors linked to the participant at higher levels in the network to which credit will be given, as discussed in relation to Figure 1.
  • a reward is calculated for the particular participant, typically in cash.
  • An example calculation is given below for a marketing system according to the first embodiment by way of clarification.
  • the individual rewards are distributed 995 according to the network rules. Rewards calculated as cash amounts are usually paid directly into a bank account designated by the participant on joining the network, or may be realised for example, as a discount on products purchased in a shopping system of the kind described in the third embodiment above.
  • Reward calculations for a possible advertising system set up according to the first embodiment will be given by way of example.
  • participants can earn up to three cents for each minute of advertising or survey message time to which they and their sponsored participants listen during a calendar month.
  • the potential reward for each participant is calculated by simply adding the individual times to determine a total listening time which will be credited to the participant, and multiplying this total by three cents.
  • a percentage of the potential reward is then paid to the participant according to their respective "performance score" which is in turn dete ⁇ nined by their level of personal activity.
  • the following table indicates firstly the maximum numbers of sponsored participants linked at each level downline from a given participant which may form a group from which the participant may receive credit. This system assumes a maximum of six sponsored participants linked per level for up to six levels which are the preferred limits mentioned above.
  • Performance scores are based on the number of listening sessions completed by the participant during the month, each comprising a predetermined sequence of advertising or survey messages up to about 10 minutes in duration. The sequence is usually tailored for the particular participant based on information which they provide and update. Advertising and market research is thereby targeted at interested participants.
  • An example of the relationship between number of sessions and the performance score is given in the following table.
  • a performance score for the current month is determined from a rolling average of scores for a predetermined number of previous months.
  • An example of the averaging process using a four month cycle is given in the next following table, where a typical participants' progress from their first month of activity after joining the network has been indicated.
  • the percentage of the potential reward paid for the first month is determined by that month's performance score itself, while the percentage for the second month is an average of the first and second months and so on, with the current sixth month percentage being deteraiined as average from the third, fourth, fifth and sixth months.
  • Advertising, research and shopping systems according to the present invention become increasingly attractive to both vendors of goods and services, and to participants, as the size of the network grows.
  • the material is targeted to a growing number of interested recipients who themselves benefit through ease of access to product information, and from individual cash rewards based on their own activity.
  • Various embodiments of the invention have been described and these may be combined in whole or in part with each other, or implemented separately. The spirit and scope of the invention should be considered as limited only by the following claims.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention décrit plusieurs systèmes de commercialisation multiniveau pour la publicité, la recherche de marchés, des opérations d'achat et autres services similaires. Dans ces systèmes, les participants interagissent avec un système informatique pour recevoir des annonces publicitaires, pour répondre à des enquêtes de marché ou pour passer des ordres d'achat, selon le cas. Les participants forment un réseau qui est administré par un organisateur de réseau via le système informatique. Chaque participant est récompensé en fonction de l'activité d'autres participants qu'il a parrainés en tant que participants en aval dans le réseau. Les participants sont encouragés à poursuivre leur propre activité plutôt que simplement recruter et parrainer de nouveaux participants.
PCT/NZ1996/000046 1995-05-18 1996-05-20 Systemes de commercialisation multiniveau WO1996036926A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU58473/96A AU5847396A (en) 1995-05-18 1996-05-20 Multilevel marketing systems

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ27073195 1995-05-18
NZ270731 1995-05-18
NZ270730 1995-05-18
NZ27073095 1995-05-18
NZ272869 1995-08-25
NZ27286995 1995-08-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996036926A1 true WO1996036926A1 (fr) 1996-11-21

Family

ID=27353741

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ1996/000046 WO1996036926A1 (fr) 1995-05-18 1996-05-20 Systemes de commercialisation multiniveau

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5847396A (fr)
WO (1) WO1996036926A1 (fr)

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2308474A (en) * 1995-12-19 1997-06-25 Brad Wendkos Interactive system for conducting an incentive awards program
WO1998021696A3 (fr) * 1996-11-14 1998-10-01 Florin Emil Trifanescu Procede d'evaluation des performances d'une publicite commerciale, de retribution des resultats et dispositif associe
EP0844577A3 (fr) * 1996-11-25 1999-02-03 Allyn M. Shell Serveur de réseau d'ordinateurs pour la commercialisation à plusieurs niveaux
NL1006775C2 (nl) * 1997-08-15 1999-02-16 Bob Hoogenboom Inrichting voor het verwerken van gegevens van klanten.
WO2000033272A1 (fr) * 1998-12-02 2000-06-08 Pinnacle Communications International, Inc. Marketing de reseau sur internet
GB2345173A (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-06-28 Brad Wendkos A communications system and interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
WO2000052617A1 (fr) * 1999-03-02 2000-09-08 Amway Corporation Procede de commercialisation et de vente pouvant inclure un groupement d"achats en commun
WO2000072208A1 (fr) * 1999-05-24 2000-11-30 Paymap, Inc. Procede et appareil d'autorisation prealable de transferts de fonds electroniques sans authentification ecrite effective
FR2806500A1 (fr) * 2000-03-15 2001-09-21 Viralgames Procede pour la constitution d'une base de donnees de membres d'une communaute
WO2001097187A1 (fr) * 2000-06-12 2001-12-20 Kenbrooke, Inc. Passation de contrat de marketing en ligne
US6582304B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2003-06-24 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
WO2000052552A3 (fr) * 1999-03-02 2004-01-08 Quixtar Investments Inc Transactions de commerce electronique dans un systeme de commercialisation pouvant inclure un groupement d'achats en commun
US6980968B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2005-12-27 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
WO2006010191A1 (fr) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-02 Market-Club Loyalty Program Pty Ltd Procede de marketing
US7039599B2 (en) 1997-06-16 2006-05-02 Doubleclick Inc. Method and apparatus for automatic placement of advertising
US7054830B1 (en) * 1997-10-20 2006-05-30 York Eggleston System and method for incentive programs and award fulfillment
US7184990B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2007-02-27 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product
US7194448B2 (en) 2000-07-31 2007-03-20 Roseanne Luth Multi-layer surveying systems and methods with multi-layer incentives
US7219832B2 (en) 2004-06-17 2007-05-22 First Data Corporation ATM machine and methods with currency conversion capabilities
US7272569B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2007-09-18 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling the performance of a supplementary process at a point-of-sale terminal
USRE40186E1 (en) 1997-03-21 2008-03-25 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US7351142B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2008-04-01 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating play of fractional value lottery games
US7359871B1 (en) 1999-03-02 2008-04-15 Alticor Investments Inc. System and method for managing recurring orders in a computer network
US7454381B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2008-11-18 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
WO2008143374A1 (fr) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Seonghwan Kim Procédé et système d'engagement et de gestion de membres disposant d'avantages sous forme de dividendes en actions ou de franchisages, système de transaction en ligne dans lequel sont utilisés les membres
WO2008143373A1 (fr) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Seonghwan Kim Procédé et système d'organisation de ventes par communication en ligne
US7542919B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-06-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selecting a supplemental product to offer for sale during a transaction
US7587334B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-09-08 Walker Digital, Llc Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US7606729B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-10-20 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7685018B2 (en) * 1999-01-05 2010-03-23 Fujitsu Limited Method and system for providing a payback to a user and distributor based on product use
US7729988B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2010-06-01 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for processing credit card transactions
US7783571B2 (en) 2007-05-31 2010-08-24 First Data Corporation ATM system for receiving cash deposits from non-networked clients
US7818284B1 (en) 1996-09-04 2010-10-19 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits via a central authority
US7827062B2 (en) 1996-10-29 2010-11-02 Google Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
US8566154B2 (en) 1997-06-16 2013-10-22 Google Inc. Network for distribution of re-targeted advertising
US8892470B2 (en) 1997-12-19 2014-11-18 Walker Digital, Llc Pre-sale data broadcast system and method
US9171316B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2015-10-27 Inventor Holdings, Llc Method and apparatus for vending a combination of products
US9697553B2 (en) 1998-10-05 2017-07-04 Paypal, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2206265A (en) * 1987-06-25 1988-12-29 American Telephone & Telegraph Telephone toll service and advertising
EP0308224A2 (fr) * 1987-09-17 1989-03-22 Meridian Enterprises, Inc. Système de récompense au rendement
WO1994004979A1 (fr) * 1992-08-11 1994-03-03 S.T.A.R.T., Inc. Systeme de traitement de transaction

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2206265A (en) * 1987-06-25 1988-12-29 American Telephone & Telegraph Telephone toll service and advertising
US4850007A (en) * 1987-06-25 1989-07-18 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Telephone toll service with advertising
EP0308224A2 (fr) * 1987-09-17 1989-03-22 Meridian Enterprises, Inc. Système de récompense au rendement
WO1994004979A1 (fr) * 1992-08-11 1994-03-03 S.T.A.R.T., Inc. Systeme de traitement de transaction

Cited By (63)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2345173B (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-08-09 Brad Wendkos A communications system and interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
GB2345171B (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-08-09 Brad Wendkos A communications system and interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
US6453299B1 (en) 1995-12-19 2002-09-17 Aspen Marketing, Inc. Method for customizing queries
US5983196A (en) * 1995-12-19 1999-11-09 Phoneworks, Inc. Interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
GB2308474A (en) * 1995-12-19 1997-06-25 Brad Wendkos Interactive system for conducting an incentive awards program
GB2345173A (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-06-28 Brad Wendkos A communications system and interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
GB2345171A (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-06-28 Brad Wendkos A communications system and interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
GB2308474B (en) * 1995-12-19 2000-07-12 Brad Wendkos A Communications system and interactive computerized methods and apparatus for conducting an incentive awards program
US6278980B1 (en) 1995-12-19 2001-08-21 Aspen Marketing, Inc. Method for retrieving certificate information
US7818284B1 (en) 1996-09-04 2010-10-19 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits via a central authority
USRE44899E1 (en) 1996-10-29 2014-05-13 Google Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
US7827062B2 (en) 1996-10-29 2010-11-02 Google Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
US8676644B2 (en) 1996-10-29 2014-03-18 Google Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
USRE44724E1 (en) 1996-10-29 2014-01-21 Google Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
US7844488B2 (en) 1996-10-29 2010-11-30 Doubleclick Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
US7930207B2 (en) 1996-10-29 2011-04-19 Google Inc. Method of delivery, targeting, and measuring advertising over networks
WO1998021696A3 (fr) * 1996-11-14 1998-10-01 Florin Emil Trifanescu Procede d'evaluation des performances d'une publicite commerciale, de retribution des resultats et dispositif associe
US6237961B1 (en) 1996-11-14 2001-05-29 Florin Emil Trifanescu Method of performance, evaluation and payment of the advertisement in the commercial technique and apparatus
US6691093B2 (en) * 1996-11-25 2004-02-10 Allyn M. Shell Multi-level marketing computer network server
US6408281B1 (en) * 1996-11-25 2002-06-18 Allyn M. Shell Multi-level marketing computer network server
US6415265B1 (en) * 1996-11-25 2002-07-02 Allyn M. Shell Multi-level marketing computer network server
EP0844577A3 (fr) * 1996-11-25 1999-02-03 Allyn M. Shell Serveur de réseau d'ordinateurs pour la commercialisation à plusieurs niveaux
US6582304B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2003-06-24 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7351142B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2008-04-01 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating play of fractional value lottery games
US6887153B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2005-05-03 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7479060B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-01-20 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US6980968B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2005-12-27 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
US8706632B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2014-04-22 Inventor Holdings, Llc Method and apparatus for processing credit card transactions
US7494417B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-02-24 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7542919B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-06-02 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selecting a supplemental product to offer for sale during a transaction
US7184990B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2007-02-27 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product
US7547251B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-06-16 Walker Digital, Llc System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7729988B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2010-06-01 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for processing credit card transactions
US7272569B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2007-09-18 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for controlling the performance of a supplementary process at a point-of-sale terminal
USRE40186E1 (en) 1997-03-21 2008-03-25 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for generating a coupon
US7454381B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2008-11-18 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal
US7606729B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-10-20 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals
US7587334B2 (en) 1997-03-21 2009-09-08 Walker Digital, Llc Method and system for processing supplementary product sales at a point-of-sale terminal
US8566154B2 (en) 1997-06-16 2013-10-22 Google Inc. Network for distribution of re-targeted advertising
US7039599B2 (en) 1997-06-16 2006-05-02 Doubleclick Inc. Method and apparatus for automatic placement of advertising
NL1006775C2 (nl) * 1997-08-15 1999-02-16 Bob Hoogenboom Inrichting voor het verwerken van gegevens van klanten.
US9171316B2 (en) 1997-08-26 2015-10-27 Inventor Holdings, Llc Method and apparatus for vending a combination of products
US7054830B1 (en) * 1997-10-20 2006-05-30 York Eggleston System and method for incentive programs and award fulfillment
US8892470B2 (en) 1997-12-19 2014-11-18 Walker Digital, Llc Pre-sale data broadcast system and method
US9697553B2 (en) 1998-10-05 2017-07-04 Paypal, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity
WO2000033272A1 (fr) * 1998-12-02 2000-06-08 Pinnacle Communications International, Inc. Marketing de reseau sur internet
US7685018B2 (en) * 1999-01-05 2010-03-23 Fujitsu Limited Method and system for providing a payback to a user and distributor based on product use
US6980962B1 (en) 1999-03-02 2005-12-27 Quixtar Investments, Inc. Electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system that may contain a membership buying opportunity
AU776100B2 (en) * 1999-03-02 2004-08-26 Amway Corporation Method for marketing and selling that may contain a membership buying opportunity
WO2000052617A1 (fr) * 1999-03-02 2000-09-08 Amway Corporation Procede de commercialisation et de vente pouvant inclure un groupement d"achats en commun
US7359871B1 (en) 1999-03-02 2008-04-15 Alticor Investments Inc. System and method for managing recurring orders in a computer network
WO2000052552A3 (fr) * 1999-03-02 2004-01-08 Quixtar Investments Inc Transactions de commerce electronique dans un systeme de commercialisation pouvant inclure un groupement d'achats en commun
US7440923B1 (en) 1999-05-24 2008-10-21 The Western Union Company Method and apparatus for preauthorizing electronic fund transfers without actual written authentication
WO2000072208A1 (fr) * 1999-05-24 2000-11-30 Paymap, Inc. Procede et appareil d'autorisation prealable de transferts de fonds electroniques sans authentification ecrite effective
FR2806500A1 (fr) * 2000-03-15 2001-09-21 Viralgames Procede pour la constitution d'une base de donnees de membres d'une communaute
WO2001097187A1 (fr) * 2000-06-12 2001-12-20 Kenbrooke, Inc. Passation de contrat de marketing en ligne
US7194448B2 (en) 2000-07-31 2007-03-20 Roseanne Luth Multi-layer surveying systems and methods with multi-layer incentives
US7458507B2 (en) 2004-06-17 2008-12-02 First Data Corporation ATM machine and methods with currency conversion capabilities
US7219832B2 (en) 2004-06-17 2007-05-22 First Data Corporation ATM machine and methods with currency conversion capabilities
WO2006010191A1 (fr) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-02 Market-Club Loyalty Program Pty Ltd Procede de marketing
WO2008143374A1 (fr) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Seonghwan Kim Procédé et système d'engagement et de gestion de membres disposant d'avantages sous forme de dividendes en actions ou de franchisages, système de transaction en ligne dans lequel sont utilisés les membres
WO2008143373A1 (fr) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Seonghwan Kim Procédé et système d'organisation de ventes par communication en ligne
US7783571B2 (en) 2007-05-31 2010-08-24 First Data Corporation ATM system for receiving cash deposits from non-networked clients

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5847396A (en) 1996-11-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO1996036926A1 (fr) Systemes de commercialisation multiniveau
US6216111B1 (en) System and method for telemarketing presentations
US7694215B2 (en) Method and apparatus for providing sponsorship for a directory
US6965868B1 (en) System and method for promoting commerce, including sales agent assisted commerce, in a networked economy
US8650064B2 (en) System and method for collecting survey information from targeted consumers
US6453299B1 (en) Method for customizing queries
US20040122734A1 (en) Points-based rewards automation system and method
KR100596816B1 (ko) 양방향 검색과 모니터링을 통한 광고관리 및 검색 시스템
US20020147663A1 (en) Systems and methods for facilitating a transaction by use of third party subsidies
US20020147625A1 (en) Method and system for managing business referrals
US20040010447A1 (en) System, method and apparatus for membership retention and conversion
US20080052169A1 (en) Method and apparatus for providing a coupon offer having a variable value
US20060224452A1 (en) System and method for incentive-based advertising and marketing
US20020116257A1 (en) On-line advertisement enhancement and incentive system
US20060212355A1 (en) Social information and promotional offer management and distribution systems and methods
US20110238494A1 (en) Auction system for maximizing advertising efficiency by exposing advertisements through internet media and method of operating the same
CA2322570A1 (fr) Methodes relatives a une selection intelligente de biens et de services pour commerce telephonique et electronique et dispositif correspondant
US20010039515A1 (en) System and method for payment for targeted messaging over a network
US20050114167A1 (en) Booking system and method
US20060277097A1 (en) Digital marketing and fulfillment system
US20060265289A1 (en) Community-based method and system for the sale of goods and services
US7818284B1 (en) Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits via a central authority
WO1999066443A1 (fr) Procede et appareil permettant d'obtenir des benefices croises via une autorite centrale
US20030018525A1 (en) Apparatus and method for providing compensation-based telemarketing information
US20020072969A1 (en) Electronic reward system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase