Community content evaluation and distribution system

Abstract

A system is provided for approving promotional content. The system includes an approval system configured to receive content from a content provider, wherein the content is directed toward a community. A distribution system is provided. Upon approval of distribution of the content, the distribution system distributes the content to the community.

Description

COMMUNITY CONTENT EVALUATION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 623,560, filed January 22, 2024, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to community content submission, evaluation, and distribution, in order to drive efficiencies in how an institution ingests materials and gets the appropriate community enrichment programs communicated to their audience.

[0003] Institutions that want to deliver community content to users need effective ways to have third party or internal contributors provide them with programs and offerings that align with the needs of their community audience. These programs range from small local community enrichment opportunities to large national campaigns requiring local awareness. Existing solutions make the collection, evaluation, and distribution of these materials very time consuming to manage. This often leads to mass rejection of content and therefore a limited pipeline of community material being available in order to balance cost, risk, and overall effort. Furthermore, some providers are unable to reach their audience at all, as these communities are only accessible through a wide variety of channels and platforms across various geographies.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and / or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system for approving promotional content includes an approval system configured to receive content from a content provider. The content is directed toward a community. The approval system one of approves or denies distribution of the content based on at least one set of rules. A distribution system is provided. Upon approval of distribution of the content, the distribution system distributes the content to the community.

[0006] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the community may be a national community. The community may be a local community. The at least one set of rules may include a review from a designated approver. Distribution of the content may be automatically approved if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated approver reviews the content. Distribution of the content may be automatically denied if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated approver reviews the content. The designated approver may include a plurality of approvers. At least one of the plurality of approvers may be required to approve distribution of the content. The plurality of approvers may include a primary approver. Only approval from the primary approver may be required for distribution of the content. Distribution of the content may be denied in response to denial of the content from only the primary approver. Distribution of the content may be automatically approved based on an identity of content provider. Distribution of the content may be automatically denied based on an identity of content provider. Distribution of the content may be automatically approved based on a type of content. Distribution of the content may be automatically denied based on a type of content. The content may include electronic media. The community may include at least one of school districts, park districts, and geographic regions. The approval system may include a profiling system that determines a target community to receive the content. The target community may be based on at least one of a type of content, geography, and demographics of a target audience.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system for approving electronic content includes an approval system having a profiling system and an approval workflow system. Upon receiving electronic content from a content provider, the profiling system determines a target community for receiving the electronic content. At least one designated approver from the target community one of approves or denies the electronic content for distribution in the target community using the approval workflow system. A distribution system is provided. Upon approval of distribution of the electronic content, the distribution system distributes the electronic content to the target community. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the designated approver may be an automated approver that applies a set of rules for at least one of approval or denial of the electronic content.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method of approving electronic content includes receiving electronic content from a content provider. The method also includes determining a target community for receiving the electronic content. The method alsoincludes one of approving or denying distribution of the electronic content based on at least one set of rules. Upon approval of distribution of the electronic content, the method also includes distributing the electronic content to the target community.

[0009] Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an engagement model for targeting customers in accordance with an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an engagement model for targeting customers in accordance with another embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system for approving promotional content.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of rules results from input funneled into the approval system.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of approval prioritization by the approval system.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of approval requirements of the system based on content provider.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of targeted user approval requirements of the system.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an embodiment of community and content insights approval requirements of the system.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an embodiment of single tiered approvals for the system.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of multi-tiered approvals for the system.

[0021] FIG. 1 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a single tier approval time window for the system.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a multi-tiered approval time window for the system.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a multi-tiered approval time window for the system.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an embodiment of workflow options for the system.

[0025] FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an embodiment of distribution options for the system.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an embodiment of analytic insights for the system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an engagement model 10 for targeting customers is illustrated. A content provider 12 intends to distribute content to a first community 14, a second community 16, and a third community 18. To reach the first community 14, the content provider 12 is required to engage with a first platform 20 that is designated to the first community 14. To reach the second community 16, the content provider 12 is required to engage with a second platform 22 that is designated to the second community 16. To reach the third community 18, the content provider 12 is required to engage with a third platform 24 that is designated to the third community 18. Accordingly, the content provider 12 is required to engage three separate platforms to deliver content to all three communities.

[0029] The disclosed embodiments enable users to move from an ecosystem where they have to individually engage with local communities across a variety of platforms and channeloptions, to an ecosystem with a single point of entry that disperses their program content across various levels of geography and channels. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an engagement model 50 for targeting customers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The engagement model 50 includes a single platform 52 having a profiling system 54 that enables a content provider 56 to target communities on a national level 60. Within the national level 60, the profiling system 54 enables the content provider 56 to target various regions 62. The profiling 54 further enables the content provider to target individual local communities 64 within each region 62.

[0030] The disclosed embodiments described in more detail below provide a comprehensive solution for institutions to optimize the submission, evaluation, and distribution of community content. By incorporating advanced features and insights, a system 100 addresses the challenges associated with managing diverse materials while promoting efficiency, trust, and effective audience engagement. The system 100 is centered upon an approval system that leverages various data sources, workflows, automations and manual checks to enable users.

[0031] An intake system is provided that allows users to submit content to a wide range of communities. The system combines Al-driven extraction of metadata with manual edits, allowing users to set additional details to support content discovery, filtering, and measurement of content and program effectiveness. A provider and content insights solution evaluates the performance and trust around the provider of the content and substance of the content being submitted. An approval system enables institutions to set specific workflows and rules to manage how and when content is sent through to their audiences for distribution. A multi-channel content distribution system allows community content creators to select which audiences they want to access at various levels of local, regional, or national reach. An analytics solution enables content providers, approvers, and distributors to measure performance and risk across their area of the ecosystem, while also feeding data back into the system for improved performance and accuracy.

[0032] The streamlined content intake and approval processes reduce the time and effort required for institutions to manage community-contributed materials. The processes also enables content contributors to more effectively reach audiences that are dispersed across various channels, platforms, and geographies. The insights solution adds a layer of trust and performance evaluation, enabling institutions to make informed decisions about content providers andsubmissions. The content distribution system allows for targeted dissemination, ensuring that content providers for targeted community enrichment programs can reach the desired audience effectively. The analytics solution facilitates continuous improvement by providing comprehensive performance metrics and risk assessments.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 is provided for virtual content submission and distribution based on systematic and manual approval workflows that enable community approvers to manage the intake and communication of relevant programs to their local communities. A content approval system combines user configurable rules engines and workflows to prioritize and automate content approval processes. A distribution system allows disparate communities to be reached at the local, regional, and national levels.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, the system 100 is provided for approving promotional content to be distributed to various communities. In an exemplary embodiment, the promotional content includes electronic media, for example, email, SMS, text, etc. The promotional content is any content directed to a specific community. For example, the community, in some embodiments, is a national community, for example colleges and universities throughout the country. In some embodiments, the community is a regional community, for example, park districts on the west coast. In some embodiments, the community is a local community, for example, a particular town. In some embodiments, the community is selected based on geography, for example, schools within a predefined radius of the content provider’s business. In some embodiments, the community is defined by activity, for example, all music shops within the Midwest. In some embodiments, the community is defined by demographics, for example, all schools having children between the ages of 10 and 14. It will be appreciated that, in an exemplary embodiment, the community is any group of people or institutions defined by a set of rules. For the purposes of this disclosure, the community will be described with respect to local school districts.

[0035] In some embodiments, the promotional content is any advertisement, offer, or notice intended for a particular community. For example, in some embodiments, the content is an offer for services, for example, educational services. In some embodiments, the content is a notice regarding a function occurring within the community. It will be appreciated that the content can be any content directed toward a particular community. For the purposes of this disclosure, the content will be described as tutoring services for various school districts.

[0036] The system 100 includes a content upload system 102 that is accessed by a content provider 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the content upload system 102 is a platform accessed by an electronic device of the content provider 104. For example, if the content provider 104 is a tutoring service, the content upload system 102 is platform accessed by a computer, mobile device, or the like of the tutoring service. The content upload system 102 is an entry point where the content provider 104 submits content surrounding programs and offerings that the content provider 104 would like to distribute to their target audience of content consumers 118. This includes the submission of content, the creation of metadata around the content (category, supporting links, contact information, etc.), the requested distribution dates, and setting the target audiences.

[0037] Generally, the content provider 104 is an individual organization that creates content that drives users to consume the content provider’s enrichment program or service. In an exemplary embodiment, the content includes electronic media. The content is directed toward a community including the content consumers 118, as described above. For example, the community, in some embodiments, includes a national community, a regional community, or a local community, such as a school district, a park district, or a geographic region.

[0038] The content provider 104 submits content for distribution to content consumers 118. The process involves preparing, uploading, reviewing, and providing details for the content, so it can be distributed via content consumer notifications and posted on content boards that content consumers 118 are affiliated with. The content provider 104 prepares content to be provided before engaging with the system 100. The content represents the enrichment program that the content provider 104 wants to deliver to one or more communities. The content, in various visual file formats, for example, PDF, jpeg, png, word doc, video, is uploaded to the platform on the content upload system 102. Basic information, including a title, dates, categories and optional street address, is provided. This data is initially extracted through Al review of the content provided. The content provider 104 can then edit the extracted metadata to ensure accuracy. Call-to-action buttons, such as sign up, call, email, get app, donate, and learn more, etc. can be added. The content provider 104 selects which target audience they want the content to be sent to for approval. This can range from local, regional or national reach. The content providers 104 then select audience parameters within a community. The content is given priority to audience members with the best matched parameters and targeted distribution dates areprovided. The content is then submitted to be reviewed by content approvers 112 defined by the selected audience. For example, if the selected audience is a school district, the content approvers 112 are defined by the particular school district. For example, the content approvers are defined as a superintendent and a principal, in some embodiments.

[0039] The content is then delivered to an approval system 106. The approval system 106 approves or denies distribution of the content to the targeted content consumers 118 based on at least one set of rules. The approval system 106 includes a provider profiling system 108 that determines a target community of content consumers 118 to receive the content. In some embodiments the target community of content consumers 118 is based on at least one of a type of content, geography, and / or demographics of a target audience. For example, if the content provider 104 provides tutoring services for high school music in California, the profiling system 108 identifies all California high schools that offer music programs, in an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] Content approvers 112 then review the content submission in an insights system 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the content approvers 112 are defined by the target community. For example, in the scenario where the content includes tutoring services for California high school music programs, each California high school identified has pre-selected content approvers 112, for example, the school district superintendent, the high school principal, and / or the music teacher. After submission of the content, a rules engine runs to evaluate the content provider 104 and content being submitted. The rules engine leverages historical data around the content provider 104 and specific rules of engagement specified by the content approvers 112. Those rules are configured according to the community guidelines set by the content approvers 112. The rules vary depending which communities and subsequent approver guidelines that the content must be graded against.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, rules are based profile and performance data surrounding the content provider relative to historical approval rates, performance metrics and, content guideline violations, in some embodiments. The composition and material in the content is reviewed to ensure that it meets community guidelines. For example, a content provider 150 uploads content 152. Based on the target audience, the content 152 is subjected to a first rule set 154 dictated by a first approver 156 at the approval system 106, a second rule set 158 dictated by a second approver 160 at the approval system 106, or a third rule set 162 dictated by a third approver 164at the approval system 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the approval system 106 determines which rules the content has passed 166 and which rules the content has failed 168.

[0042] In one embodiment, automatic approval or denial of the content is determined based on a previous approval rate of the content provider 150. For example, if the content provider 150 has a previous approval rate of less than a predetermined percent, the content 152 is automatically denied. In another example, if the content provider 150 has a previous approval rate of greater than a predetermined percent, the content 152 is automatically approved. In one embodiment, automatic approval or denial of the content is determined based on a report rate of the content provider 150. For example, if the content provider 150 has violated content guidelines less than a predetermined percentage of time, the content 152 is automatically approved. In another example, if the content provider 150 has violated content guidelines greater than a predetermined percentage of time, the content 152 is automatically denied. In one embodiment, automatic approval or denial of the content is determined based on invalid links in the content. For example, if the content 152 has web links with no endpoint or leading to malicious content, the content 152 is automatically denied. In one embodiment, automatic approval or denial of the content is determined based on content type. For example, if the content type is outside of targeted categories defined by the approver community guidelines, the content 152 is automatically denied.

[0043] Accordingly, referring back to FIG. 3, the outputs from the community and content insights system 110 are subsequently funneled into the approval system. The rules are applied and the resulting output is leveraged as input into the approval process and helps the content approvers 112 to decide if a given piece of content 102 is in alignment with their guidelines and / or a content enrichment opportunity for their community. As content is submitted, the content is funneled into an approval queue that content approvers 112 work through in order to decide what can be distributed to their community. This includes all output generated by the community and content insights system 110 in order to inform the content approvers 112 of how the content aligns with community guidelines or represents a risk or opportunity for their community.

[0044] In one embodiment, the designated content approvers 112 are individual users that approve or deny the content based on the guidelines that the content approvers 112 set for their community of users. In some embodiments, the at least one set of rules includes a review from adesignated approver 1 12. The designated approver 112 includes a plurality of designated approvers 112, in some embodiments, and at least one designated approver 112 from the target community approves or denies the content for distribution in the target community using the approval system 106. In some embodiments, the designated approver 112 is an automated approver that applies at least one set of rules for at least one of approval or denial of the content.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of approval prioritization 200 used by the approval system 106 in some embodiments. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the content provider 104 uploads a first content 202, a second content 204, a third content 206, and a fourth content 208. It will be appreciated that although the content provider 104 is shown four times, the content provider 104 is a single content provider 104 or as many as four separate content providers 104. The content 202, 204, 206, and 208 is funneled through a set of rules 220 and a risk level assessment 222 is performed. Based on the rules 220 and the assessment 222, the first content 202 is automatically approved and the second content 204, third content 206, and fourth content 208 are sent to designated content approvers 112.

[0046] For an approver, the system 100 offers a streamlined approach to processing pending approvals. Users have the flexibility to make approval decisions on an individual basis, enhancing efficiency by enabling users to prioritize content that has the most or least amount of alignment with their community guidelines. This prioritization is managed through the rule output that is provided from the community and content insights system 110. This system 110 allows not only prioritization for approval review, but content meeting specific rule results to be automatically approved and sent for distribution.

[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of approval requirements 250 of the system 110, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved based on an identity of content provider 104. In some embodiments, distribution of the content is automatically denied based on the identity of content provider 104. In FIG. 6, a first content provider 252 uploads first content 254. In an exemplary embodiment, the first content provider 252 is an internal user of the target community. For example, the first content provider 252, in one embodiment, is a teacher within a target school district offering tutoring services within the school district. In the example of FIG. 6, the first content 254 is automatically approved by the system 100. A second content provider 260 uploads second content 262. In an exemplary embodiment, the second content provider 260 is a tutoring services outside of the target school district. The second content 262 is then sent toat least one designated content approver 112 for tier 1 or tier 2 approval, as described in more detail below.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, content approvers 112 can specify the number of approval gates that they want to enable. The number of approval gates is dependent on who the source is for the content being uploaded, the recommended action or risk assessment presented from the rule set applied, how many and which tiers of approvers 112 are required for content distribution, and a duration of time that a piece of content is waiting for an approver to take action on.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the content providers 104 are either internal content providers 252, a content provider from within the content approver’s own organization, or an external content provider 260, a content provider outside the content approver’s own organization. Examples of internal content providers 252 are internal staff, district content managers, teachers, or school volunteers. Examples of external content providers 260 are tutoring companies, youth soccer clubs, summer camp providers, or other external clubs.

[0050] In some embodiments, the content approvers 112 are categorized in tiers, for example, a tier 1 approver, a primary approver overseeing a community, or a tier 2 approver, an approver representing a backup or subset of tier 1 approver responsibilities. Some content requires only tier 1 or tier 2 approval, whereas, some content requires both tier 1 and tier 2 approval. An example of a tier 1 approver is a district communication manager. An example of a tier 2 approver is a district content approver.

[0051] Approval requirements can be configured depending on who uploaded the content. In the example of FIG. 6 internal content providers from within the organization are automatically approved and external providers must receive manual approval from at least one designated content approver 112. In the example shown in FIG. 7, approval requirements 300 can be configured such that specific users within the organization will still require approval from at least one designated content approver 112. For example, internal content provider 310 uploads first content 312 that is automatically approved; however, internal content provider 320 uploads second content 322 that requires approval from a designated content approver 112. In the example of FIG. 7, an external content provider 330 uploading third content 332 still requires the manual approval of a designated content approver 112.

[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of community and content insights approval requirements 350 of the system 100 based on a type of content. In some embodiments, distribution of the content is automatically approved based on a type of the content. In some embodiments, distribution of the content is automatically denied based on a type of the content. Depending on the guidelines applied and the subsequent rules, passing or failing the content can be auto approved if proper thresholds are met. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the content provider 104 uploads a first content 352, a second content 354, a third content 356, and a fourth content 358. It will be appreciated that although the content provider 104 is shown four times, the content provider 104 is a single content provider 104 or as many as four separate content providers 104. The content 352, 354, 356, and 358 is funneled through a set of rules 360 that consider the content based on a type of the content. Based on the rules 360 and the assessment 362, the first content 352 is automatically approved and the second content 354, third content 356, and fourth content 358 are sent to tier 1 or tier 2 designated content approvers 112.

[0053] For content that requires approval there are configurations that enable single or multi-tiered approval requirements. In the single tiered approach, any designated content approver 112 can approve or deny the content for distribution. In the multi-tiered approach, more than one designated content approver 112 is required to send the content for distribution. That is, in some embodiments, at least one of a plurality of designated content approvers 112 is required to approve distribution of the content. In addition, in some embodiments, tier 1 approval is required after the tier 2 approval or screening is complete. In some embodiments, a plurality of designated content approvers 112 includes a primary approver and only approval from the primary approver is required for distribution of the content. In some embodiments, distribution of the content is denied in response to denial of the content from only the primary approver.

[0054] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of single tiered approvals 400 for the system 100. In Fig. 9, content 402 is upload into the system and requires the approval of a first content approver 404 or a second content approver 406. If one of the first content approver 404 or the second content approver 406 approves the content 402, the content 402 is approved 408 for distribution. However, both the first content approver 404, or the second content approver 406, must deny approval for the content distribution to be denied 410.

[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates of an embodiment of multi-tiered approvals 450 for the system100, wherein the approval system 106 includes approval of the content 452 from both a tier 1approver 454 and a tier 2 approver 456. If the tier 2 approver 456 denies the content 452, distribution is denied 410. If the tier 2 approver 456 approves the content 452, the content is forwarded to the tier 1 approver 454. The tier 1 approver 454 then determines whether distribution of the content 452 is approved 412 or denied 414.

[0056] In some embodiments, timing gates can be put in place to ensure that the content does not get held up in the system under the scenario of multi-tiered approval requirements. Timing gates can also be used to ensure that denials are managed appropriately if no action is taken in order to inform the content providers 104 that that approvals did not finalize in time for their target distribution dates. That is, in some embodiments, distribution of the content is automatically denied if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated content approver 112 reviews the content. In some embodiments, distribution of the content is automatically approved if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated content approver 112 reviews the content.

[0057] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a single tier approval time window 500 for the system 100. Content 502 is uploaded and placed in a queue 504. While the content 502 is in the queue 504, a designated content approver 112 can approve the content 502 for distribution 506 or deny 508 the content 502. If no action is taken by the designated content approver 112 for a predetermined period of time, for example, a predetermined number of days or weeks as configured to in the approval rules, the content 502 is automatically denied 510.

[0058] FIG. 12 illustrates of an embodiment of a multi-tiered approval time window 550 for the system 100. Content 552 requiring tier 1 and tier 2 approval is upload into a queue 554. The content 552 first moves to the tier 2 approver 560, who can deny 556 the content 552. If the tier 2 approver 560 approves the content 552, the content 552 is then presented to the tier 1 approver 562. Alternatively, if the tier 2 approver 560 does not approve or deny the content 552 within a predetermined period of time, the content 552 is automatically moved to the tier 1 approver 562. The tier 1 approver 562 can then approve the content 552 for distribution 570 or deny 572 the content 552.

[0059] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a multi-tiered approval time window 600 for the system 100. Content 602 requiring tier 1 and tier 2 approval is upload and presented to the tier 2 approver 604. The tier 2 approver 604 can deny 606 the content 602. If the tier 2 approver 604 approves the content 602, the content 602 is then presented to the tier 1 approver610. The tier 1 approver 610 can then approve the content 602 for distribution 612 or deny 614 the content 602. Alternatively, if the tier 1 approver 610 does not approve or deny the content 602 within a predetermined period of time, the content 602 is automatically distributed 616.

[0060] Referring back to FIG. 3, an approval workflow system 114 maintains workflow options for the system 100. Users can decide configuration combinations of multiple workflows 650 that the content can flow through, as set forth above and illustrated in FIG. 14. For example, an internal content provider 660 can upload content that is subject to a first workflow 662 having first set of rules 664. For example, the first set of rules 664 a single tier approval 666, and a first approval window 668. In another example, an internal content provider 670 can upload content that is subject to a second workflow 672 having a second set of rules 674, a multi-tier approval 676, and a second approval window 678. In another example, an internal content provider 680 can upload content that is subject to a third workflow 682 having the first set of rules 664, the multi-tier approval 676, and the first approval window 668.

[0061] Referring back to FIG. 3, a distribution system 116 that, upon approval of distribution of the content, distributes the content to the community of content consumers 118. Post approval, the content is included in a schedule that balances the targeted distribution dates as specified by the content provider 104 and aligns those dates as effectively as possible per distribution schedules set by the approvers 112. The content is then distributed to the consumers 118 as defined by the approvers 112 and any additional expanded parameters provided by the content consumers 118. The content consumers 118 are individual consumers of the content that are defined by the community that the approvers 112 are servicing content to, and any expanded community parameters that the consumer wants to be included upon.

[0062] FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of distribution options 700 for the system 100. Post approval of the content, distribution will occur based on the communities that content providers 104 have targeted and the schedules that those communities leverage to reach their content consumers 118. Depending on which communities are targeted, content providers 104 can effectively distribute at a local, regional or national level.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, a local content provider 702 uploads local content 704 and the system distributes the local content 704 to a first local community 708 and a second local community 710 within a predefined region 706. For example, a California tutorial service that operates in California uploads content that is distributed to school districts in two local citiesin California. In another example, a regional content provider 716 uploads regional content 718 that is distributed to a first local community 722 and a second local community 724 in a predefined region 720 and a first local community 728 and a second local community 730 in a predefined region 726. For example, aa east coast tutorial service uploads content that is distributed to school districts in two local cities in New York and school districts in two local cities in New Jersey. In another exemplary embodiment, a national content provider 712 uploads national content 714 that is distributed to all of the local communities 708, 710, 722, 724, 728, and 730. For example, a national tutorial service uploads national content that is distributed to local school districts nationwide.

[0064] Referring back to FIG. 3, a consumer interactions system 120 tracks the consumption of the content by the content consumers 118. For example, the consumer interactions system 120 tracks how many content consumers 118 opened the content. In other embodiments, the consumer interactions system 120 tracks demographics of the content consumers 118 who interacted with the content. As content is approved, denied, distributed and consumed data is fed into an analytics system 122 so that analytical insights can be consumed through various metrics and dimensions across and depending upon user group role. The analytics system 122 receives data from profiling system 108, distribution system 116, and consumer interactions system 120 and reports the data to the insights system 110.

[0065] FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of analytic insights 750 for the system 100. During the approval, distribution and content consumption steps in the system, data is collected in order to feed metrics back into the ecosystem in order to drive additional insights and efficiencies. The data is used to inform various user types in how they can more effectively leverage the platform. In addition, it creates a feedback loop into the various workflow elements, so that the system learns from its historical activities and outcomes in order to drive better results in the future.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the content provider 104 uploads content 752 and the analytics system 122 retrieves data about the content 102 regarding the content type 756. For example, the content type 756 is an advertisement for tutorial services, in some embodiments. The analytics system 122 also retrieves data from the provider profiles system 108 regarding the demographics 760 of the intended content consumer 118. For example, in some embodiments, the content is intended for high school chemistry students. The analytics system 122 alsoretrieves data regarding historical approval rates 764 of the content provider 104 and historical rules sets 766 used by the content provider 104 from the approval system 106. The analytics system 122 also retrieves data regarding historical distribution totals 768 for the content provider 104 and historical failed deliveries 770 for the content provider 104 from the content distribution system 116. The analytics system 122 also retrieves data regarding historical content views 772 for the content provider 104 from the content consumption system 120. The data is then compiled by the provider and content insights system 110 to provide data regarding rules results 180, content provider insights 182, content approver insights 184, and content consumer insights 186. The data is used to drive future decisions by the approval system 106 and the content approvers 112.

[0067] Embodiments of the invention can be described with reference to the following numbered clauses:

[0068] 1. A system for approving promotional content, the system comprising: an approval system configured to receive content from a content provider, wherein the content is directed toward a community, wherein the approval system one of approves or denies distribution of the content based on at least one set of rules; a distribution system, wherein, upon approval of distribution of the content, the distribution system distributes the content to the community.

[0069] 2. The system of clause 1, wherein the community is a national community.

[0070] 3 The system of clause 1, wherein the community is a local community.

[0071] 4. The system of clause 1, wherein the at least one set of rules includes a review from a designated approver.

[0072] 5. The system of clause 4, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated approver reviews the content.

[0073] 6. The system of clause 4, wherein distribution of the content is automatically denied if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated approver reviews the content.

[0074] 7. The system of clause 4, wherein the designated approver includes a plurality of approvers, wherein at least one of the plurality of approvers is required to approve distribution of the content.

[0075] 8. The system of clause 7, wherein the plurality of approvers includes a primary approver, wherein only approval from the primary approver is required for distribution of the content.

[0076] 9. The system of clause 8, wherein distribution of the content is denied in response to denial of the content from only the primary approver.

[0077] 10. The system of clause 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved based on an identity of content provider.

[0078] 11. The system of clause 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically denied based on an identity of content provider.

[0079] 12. The system of clause 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved based on a type of content.

[0080] 13. The system of clause 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically denied based on a type of content.

[0081] 14. The system of clause 1, wherein the content includes electronic media.

[0082] 15. The system of clause 1, wherein the community includes at least one of school districts, park districts, and geographic regions.

[0083] 16. The system of clause 1, wherein the approval system includes a profiling system that determines a target community to receive the content.

[0084] 17. The system of clause 16, wherein the target community is based on at least one of a type of content, geography, and demographics of a target audience.

[0085] 18. A system for approving electronic content, the system comprising: an approval system having a profiling system and an approval workflow system, wherein, upon receiving electronic content from a content provider, the profiling system determines a target community for receiving the electronic content, wherein at least one designated approver from the target community one of approves or denies the electronic content for distribution in the target community using the approval workflow system, and a distribution system, wherein, upon approval of distribution of the electronic content, the distribution system distributes the electronic content to the target community.

[0086] 19. The system of clause 18, wherein the designated approver is an automated approver that applies a set of rules for at least one of approval or denial of the electronic content.

[0087] 20. A method of approving electronic content, the method comprising:receiving electronic content from a content provider, determining a target community for receiving the electronic content, one of approving or denying distribution of the electronic content based on at least one set of rules, and upon approval of distribution of the electronic content, distributing the electronic content to the target community.

[0088] Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, it nonetheless cannot be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the claims that follow.

[0089] In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," "at least a portion" are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" is used, the item can include a portion and / or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0090] It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all possible alternatives, modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and many combinations of aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for approving promotional content, the system comprising: an approval system configured to receive content from a content provider, wherein the content is directed toward a community, wherein the approval system one of approves or denies distribution of the content based on at least one set of rules; a distribution system, wherein, upon approval of distribution of the content, the distribution system distributes the content to the community.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the community is a national community.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the community is a local community.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one set of rules includes a review from a designated approver.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated approver reviews the content.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein distribution of the content is automatically denied if a predetermined period of time lapses before the designated approver reviews the content.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the designated approver includes a plurality of approvers, wherein at least one of the plurality of approvers is required to approve distribution of the content.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of approvers includes a primary approver, wherein only approval from the primary approver is required for distribution of the content.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein distribution of the content is denied in response to denial of the content from only the primary approver.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved based on an identity of content provider.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically denied based on an identity of content provider.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically approved based on a type of content.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein distribution of the content is automatically denied based on a type of content.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the content includes electronic media.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the community includes at least one of school districts, park districts, and geographic regions.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the approval system includes a profiling system that determines a target community to receive the content.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the target community is based on at least one of a type of content, geography, and demographics of a target audience.

18. A system for approving electronic content, the system comprising: an approval system having a profiling system and an approval workflow system, wherein, upon receiving electronic content from a content provider, the profiling system determines a target community for receiving the electronic content, wherein at least one designated approverfrom the target community one of approves or denies the electronic content for distribution in the target community using the approval workflow system, and a distribution system, wherein, upon approval of distribution of the electronic content, the distribution system distributes the electronic content to the target community.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the designated approver is an automated approver that applies a set of rules for at least one of approval or denial of the electronic content.

20. A method of approving electronic content, the method comprising: receiving electronic content from a content provider, determining a target community for receiving the electronic content, one of approving or denying distribution of the electronic content based on at least one set of rules, and upon approval of distribution of the electronic content, distributing the electronic content to the target community.