Patent ID: 7721217

Claim:
A method comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of templates, wherein each template a) defines a set of fields and a manner of presenting user-provided information for those fields; b) is based on a theme; and c) defines functionality associated with the theme; receiving, at a first IM client, first user input from a first user, wherein the first user input selects a particular template of the plurality of templates; in response to the first user input, prompting the first user for second user input for the set of fields associated with the particular template; sending, from the first IM client to a second IM client of a second user, a message that indicates the particular template and includes content that is based on the second user input; wherein receipt of said message at the second IM client automatically causes the second IM client to: generate a display that displays the content in the manner dictated by the particular template; and provide the functionality that is defined in the particular template for the theme; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.