Patent ID: 8271316

Claim:
A method to collect data associated with a consumer through generation of a consumer feedback communication via a wide area network, the method comprising: in response to input from a consumer via the wide area network, identifying a business to which the consumer feedback communication is to be directed; obtaining feedback data relating to the business from the consumer via the wide area network; automatically generating at least a portion of the consumer feedback communication using the feedback data; addressing the consumer feedback communication to an individual associated with the business; addressing the consumer feedback communication to a person identified by the consumer and to one or more additional individuals; determining using a processor word of mouth impact of the consumer from information associated with addressing the consumer feedback communication to the person and to the one or more additional individuals, wherein determining the word of mouth impact of the consumer comprises ascertaining a number of individuals carbon copied on the consumer feedback communication; transmitting the consumer feedback communication to the individual, to the person identified by the consumer, and to the one or more additional individuals; determining using a processor a socio-economic identification for the consumer; and storing in a memory an indication that the socio-economic identification is associated with the person identified by the consumer.