Abstract:
Disclosed is a system and method for marketing using text messaging. Different keywords are provided for different media persons and/or outlets, and announcements are broadcast instructing listeners to send a text message to a particular number. In the text, the listener is asked to include a keyword with the text in order to receive a rate quote. When an interested listener texts in the key word to the number provided, he or she is presented with a URL, which when selected, enables them to submit information, e.g., age, sex, and zip code. After submitting the information, they receive a quote on the browser of their mobile phone.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/240,539, filed Sep. 8, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Generally, the disclosed processes and systems relate to computer-aided processes for marketing products—more specifically using wireless technologies. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Currently, insurance is marketed using a variety of technologies. Some processes involve the use of computer technologies. These methods typically involve the company establishing a website which can be accessed online. Using the website, potential clients have been able to access insurance coverage information. Additionally, potential clients have been able to request a price quote by submitting personal information relevant to the coverage desired. Once received, this information is used by the insurance company to generate a rate quote. Once the quote is generated, it can be displayed on the user&#39;s computer promptly after submission, or instead, the quote can be emailed to them. 
         [0006]    An alternative to these web-based methods is the even more traditional over-the-phone process. This process involves the potential client calling a designated phone number for the insurance carrier, and requesting a quote. In order to develop the correct rate, either a teleprompt system or live sales person is used to gather the necessary personal information from the consumer. Once the rate is established, it is then communicated directly to the client over the phone using live or automated voice. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Disclosed are embodiments of systems and methods for marketing using media sources. In one embodiment, methods include establishing unique keyword for one or more media sources. These media sources are caused to broadcast announcements. These announcements include: (i) a particular keyword associated with that media outlet, and (ii) instructions to send a text message including the keyword to a number for a quote. 
         [0008]    When the message is received from a listener&#39;s wireless telecommunication device, a URL is transmitted. The URL is a link to a quoting engine. When clicked, the quoting engine executes and sends a request for a quote to the browser on the mobile phone and the quote is displayed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing exemplary components of the present system; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an exemplary set of high-level steps performed in operation of the present system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The present system provides a mechanism for marketing services or products via wireless telecommunication devices, e.g., ‘smart’ cell phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), which are often collectively referred to as ‘smart phones’. Where a “wireless telecommunication device” or “wireless telecommunication devices” are referenced herein, however, the terms should not be read narrowly. Rather, these terms should allow for the inclusion of any device capable of interfacing without being dependent on some sort of electrical or other physical connection. The disclosed processes have proved to be especially useful in marketing insurance as well as other related products. 
         [0012]    Unless otherwise specified, any terms used herein should be interpreted broadly and liberally to the extent allowed by the art and the meaning of the words offered in context. 
         [0013]    As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the present invention may be embodied as, among other things: a method, system, or computer-program product operated on some computing device. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, an embodiment combining software and hardware, or a particular transformation of some sort. 
         [0014]    Computer-readable media include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and nonremovable media, and contemplates media readable by a database, a switch, and various other network devices. Network switches, routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are means of communicating with the same. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media comprise computer-storage media and communications media. 
         [0015]    Computer-storage media, or machine-readable media, include media implemented in any method or technology for storing information. Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data representations. Computer-storage media include, but are not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magnetic storage devices. These memory components can store data momentarily, temporarily, or permanently. 
         [0016]    Communications media typically store computer-useable instructions—including data structures and program modules—in a modulated data signal. The term “modulated data signal” refers to a propagated signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed to encode information in the signal. An exemplary modulated data signal includes a carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Communications media include any information-delivery media. By way of example but not limitation, communications media include wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, infrared, radio, microwave, spread-spectrum, and other wireless media technologies. Combinations of the above are included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing exemplary components of the present system  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  100  includes a transaction processing computer system  105  connected to a database  120  and a network interface  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, network interface  110  is coupled to the Internet  130  and also to an SMS (Short Message Service) gateway  111 , described further below. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, transaction processing computer system  105  communicates with a Short Message Service Center (SMSC)  115  via network interface  110 , SMS gateway  111 , and a wireless connection to the mobile network  150  using a GSM modem  112 . SMSC  115  is a network element in the mobile telephone network which receives stores and delivers SMS messages (described below). Alternatively, transaction processing system  105  communicates with SMSC  115  via network interface  110  and the Internet  130  or a direct leased line connection  107 . 
         [0019]    Communications, such as email messages and user queries, are sent between transaction processing system  105  and a user&#39;s wireless telecommunication device  140  via the Internet and the mobile network  150 . The Internet is also used to send communications between processing system  105  to a user&#39;s personal computer (PC)  155 . The present system utilizes a web browser  145  on the user&#39;s wireless telecommunication device  140  to display messages sent from transaction processing system  105 . A quoting script or template  160  is displayed on web browser  145  to facilitate acquisition of information input by the user. 
         [0020]    SMS gateway  111  is a device which assists in SMS transit, transforming messages to mobile network traffic, and vice versa, allowing transmission and receipt of SMS messages. SMS is a communication service employed in the GSM mobile communication system, using standardized communications protocols allowing the interchange of short text messages (140 bytes, or 160 7-bit characters) between mobile telephone devices. GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is the defacto cellular network standard for mobile phones. Mechanisms for connecting an SMS gateway to the mobile network include Direct To SMSC Gateways, wireless connections, and IP SMS connections. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless connection is used to connect SMS gateway  111  to the mobile network  150 , typically via a GSM modem  112 . The SMS gateway  111  controls the GSM device  112  and uses it to send and receive SMS messages. 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment, SMS gateway  111  is a Direct To SMSC Gateway, which is a device that allows SMS text messages to be sent and/or received by email, from web pages or from other software applications. This type of Gateway connects directly to SMSC  115  via the Internet or a direct leased line connection  107 . In general, when a text message (SMS message) is sent from one entity to another, the message gets stored in the SMSC, which delivers it to the destination entity on demand. This is a store and forward operation. SMS Gateway  111  converts the message format into a format understood by the SMSC, typically the SMPP protocol. Typically, Direct To SMSC Gateways are used for high volume messaging. 
         [0023]    Another mechanism for connecting SMS gateway  111  to the mobile network is an IP (Internet Protocol) SMS connection. With this type of connection, the SMS gateway is connected directly to SMSC  115  over the Internet or over a leased line  107 . In this case the SMS messages are sent directly to the SMSC of the service provider using a protocol such as TCP/IP. The SMS gateway  111  manages the link and converts messages to and from the appropriate SMS protocol (CIMD2, UCP, SMPP, HTTP, etc). 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an exemplary set of high-level steps performed in operation of the present system. The system described herein employs a broadcast media announcer, for example, a ‘disc jockey’, who is well-known in a particular area. Other types of media persona, e.g., celebrities and sports figures, are also candidates for the types of announcers that may be used in accordance with the presently described system and method. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , at step  205 , a unique keyword is associated with each announcer or broadcast media source which is to be used with a particular marketing program for an advertiser. These keywords will be used by the advertiser to distinguish between different media sources, so that that advertiser is able to identify which announcer (or alternatively, outlet) a listener is responding to. It should be appreciated that the term “keyword” as expressed in this application should not be defined as requiring characters that are exclusively letters. The keywords used for identification could be partially or wholly numeric, or even symbolic. Further, the keywords could alternatively be spoken into the phone or otherwise administered in various embodiments. Regardless, the keyword submitted will also enable comparing the effectiveness of the different announcers (or media outlets). 
         [0026]    At step  210 , the media source broadcasts the announcer&#39;s message containing the keyword, as well as a number to dial-in, e.g., an SMS “short code” number. More specifically, the announcer instructs listeners to submit a message to the dial-in number which includes the keyword. At step  215 , a listener receives the announcer&#39;s message on the listener&#39;s radio or television set. 
         [0027]    At step  220 , the listener (hereinafter ‘user’) uses the SMS ‘short code’ number to send a text message to SMSC  115 , via wireless telecommunication device, e.g., mobile phone  140 . The text message includes the keyword which the user received (i.e., heard or viewed) in the announcer&#39;s message. In the process of receiving the user&#39;s text message, SMSC  115  acquires the user&#39;s mobile phone number at step  222 . SMSC  115  then sends the text message containing the keyword, along with the user&#39;s mobile phone number, to transaction processing system  105 , via the Internet or line  107 , at step  223 . 
         [0028]    At step  225 , transaction processing system  105  sends a response to the user, via mobile network  150 . The response includes a link, which is displayed on web browser  145  in the user&#39;s wireless telecommunication device, e.g., wireless telecommunication device/mobile phone  140 , when received at step  230 . This link contains the URL of a quoting engine  107  in processing system  105 . When the link activated (i.e., ‘clicked on’) by the user at step  235 , browser  145  is opened, and the IP address of the mobile phone is sent to the quoting engine  107  at the URL designated by the link. Quoting engine  107  then sends a script  160 , containing a set of questions, to user&#39;s browser  145  at step  240 . In one embodiment, the questions include the user&#39;s age, sex, and zip code. These three pieces of information are used to formulate a quote (in step  250 , below). It should be noted that the term “quote” is used extensively in this application. This term should be interpreted broadly in that the “quote” could be mere rate prediction, speculation, or indefinite guess. Alternatively, the quote could be a concrete figure or even a firm offer. Thus, no degree of definiteness in terms of accuracy or form should be assigned to this term unless otherwise specified. Further, in embodiments, the quote could be a minimum rate which presumes conditional ideals. Communications between browser  145  and quoting engine  107  are sent via the Internet. 
         [0029]    At step  245 , the user answers the questions, which include a request for the user&#39;s email address, and clicks on a link displayed in the script to send the answers back to quoting engine  107 . At step  250 , quoting engine  107  processes the user&#39;s answers and sends a quote based thereon to the user&#39;s browser  145 . In embodiments, this quote might be presented in the form of a periodic fee required for the purchase of insurance. For example, the quote might be displayed as a monthly payment that would be expected in order to participate in a particular insurance plan. In an exemplary embodiment, quoting engine  107  then sends a follow-up email message to the email address submitted by the user, at step  250 . 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, at step  255  transaction processing system  105  also tracks and stores keyword usage and sales of the product(s) associated with the quotes. This enables the advertiser to determine program effectiveness per announcer/media source based on the number of responses received using different keywords over time. Additionally, the advertiser is able to determine which of the plurality announcer/media sources used resulted in more actual sales than others. All of this enables the advertiser to more efficiently devote resources to the announcers/media outlets that have resulted in the greatest number of keywords received, total sales generated based on keyword, or, both. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, quoting engine  107  and database  120  are maintained by an insurance provider. And in more specific embodiments, the insurance provider can be a health insurance company. 
         [0032]    While preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been described, so as to enable one of skill in the art to practice the disclosed subject matter, the preceding description is intended to be exemplary only, and should not be used to limit the scope of the disclosure, which should be determined by reference to the following claims.