Systems and methods for computer-created advertisements

Abstract

The invention relates to a computerized method for a user to create an advertisement by displaying a plurality of advertising formats for selection by a user; displaying a template corresponding to a selected advertising format; displaying a plurality of product references for selection by the user; displaying on the template a selected product reference to create a proposed advertisement; and creating a preview of the proposed advertisement, all of which may be implemented using the Internet. The invention further relates to a computerized system for creating an advertisement that comprises a template database for storing advertising formats; a product database for storing product references; and a computer to access the databases. Preferably, the user has a network interface such as Internet access that permits access via a remote location, software to permit a user to specify specifications such as quantity, printing information, ship date, paper type, pricing information, and payment information, and may be configured to receive images and text for new products.

1 . A method of creating at least two advertisements, comprising one or more computers implementing:
 displaying a plurality of advertisement formats on a display device of a computer;   obtaining a choice of a first advertisement format and a second advertisement format;   displaying, on the display device of the computer, at least one advertisement template based on the choice of the first advertisement format;   obtaining a choice of a template;   obtaining instructions for customization of the template;   applying the customized template to the second advertisement format; and   outputting the at least two advertisements.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement format is a different format from the second advertisement format. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding at least one advertisement element to each advertisement. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the advertisement element comprises at least one of an image, text, data, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least one advertisement element is added by searching at least one database and selecting a pre-defined advertisement elements or by creating a new advertisement element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least one advertisement element in the at least one database is provided by a third party. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein each database is at least one of RAM, ROM, EEPROM, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, and a magnetic storage device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising utilizing point-of-sale data and information to create the at least two advertisements. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the point-of-sale information is converted into a format readable by the one or more computers prior to insertion into the at least two advertisements. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising saving the customized template. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the saved customized template is shareable with other users. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein portions of the sharable customized template are not customizable by other users. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein only a portion of the customized template is applied to the second advertisement format. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising exporting the at least two advertisements as data files. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the data files are one of a pdf, eps, tiff, jpeg, gif, png, mpeg, mp3, mp4, avi or mov. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data files are exported over at least one of a local area network, a wide area network, a wireless network, via email, or by posting to a website. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the data files are exported to a third party. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions for customization comprise selecting a theme. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising applying the theme to all or a portion of the at least two advertisements. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of advertising formats are one of a post card, a coupon, a price card, a shelf talker, a poster, signage, a flyer, a run-of-press, a newspaper or magazine advertisement, a digital display, a billboard, a presentation, a text message, a product sheet, a catalog, an order guide, a brochure, collateral material, a letterhead, a business card, a pocket folder, a display material, a website, a pop-up advertisement, a web banner, digital proofs, digital display, electronic mail, or cellular or wireless technology. 
     
     
         21 . A method of creating a database of product reference for insertion into an advertisement, comprising one or more computers implementing:
 uploading at least one advertisement element to the database by a user;   comparing the uploaded advertisement element to a set of specifications, alerting the user if the uploaded advertisement element does or does not meet the set of specifications;   obtaining at least one of a title, description, item number, SKU number, weight, size, packaging information, price, and custom text regarding the uploaded advertisement element;   adding the uploaded advertisement element to the database; and   providing a user access to the database for insertion of advertisement elements into an advertisement.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the database is a public database accessible by multiple users. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising allowing the user to correct and re-upload the advertisement element, upload the advertisement element and ignore the nonconformity, or provide a advertisement element correction service. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the specifications comprise at least one of predetermined DPI, image size, color mode, and clipping path. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising obtaining instructions from the user to at least one of zoom, reposition, narrow the area of, rotate, and crop a product reference. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising providing the user with a warning message if an instruction renders an advertisement element outside the specifications. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising automatically formatting or resizing the advertisement element. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein at least one advertisement element is uploaded by a third party. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the user creates an advertisement with the third party advertisement element. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the third party creates or customizes an advertisement for the user. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more computers assist the user in setting a price. 
     
     
         32 . A method for automatically determining fund levels in a co-operational advertising fund, comprising one or more computers implementing:
 providing for a user to enter total advertising funds available to be utilized by a user;   providing for the user to enter, or automatically determining, the advertising space allotted to the product;   determining a portion of the advertising expenses to be allotted to the product based upon the advertising space allotted to the product;   deducting the portion of the advertising expenses from the total advertising funds available; and   reporting the remaining funds to the user.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising calculating at least one of total co-op funds available, vendor percentages, retailer percentages, vendor profiles, vendor co-op program information, and direct co-op reimbursement requests. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the reporting is on-screen in real time. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the co-op calculation is performed in real time. 
     
     
         36 . A method of creating an advertisement, comprising one or more computers implementing:
 displaying to a user a first layer of the advertisement;   obtaining instructions from the user regarding customizing the first layer;   displaying to the user a second layer of the advertisement;   obtaining instructions from the user regarding customizing the second layer;   displaying to the user a third layer of the advertisement;   obtaining instructions from a user regarding customizing the third layer; and   compiling the three layers into a single advertisement.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the second layer is comprised of graphical elements. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the third layer is comprised of at least one of product references, ad content, text, and graphics. 
     
     
         39 .- 45 . (canceled)