GB2463949A

GB2463949A - Selecting and transmitting sample media content (e.g. audio clips) by a user to a recipient via a message in the telephony network.

Info

Publication number: GB2463949A
Application number: GB0818246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Rhodes
Original assignee: MUS2ALL Ltd
Current assignee: MUS2ALL Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-06
Filing date: 2008-10-06
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Also published as: GB0818246D0

Abstract

The present invention relates in particular to a telephony-based system and method for delivering sample content in the form of, but not limited to, audio clips. The system has a user interface for enabling communication between the system and one or more users of the system; a sample content/media store; a controller adapted to generate a message event which includes a user selection of sample content from the sample content/media store for transmission as a message. The system is adapted to transmit via a public telephony network a message containing one or more samples of content (e.g. audio or music clips) selected by a user. Aspects of the invention include a search interface enabling customers to search a playlist representative of the content of a music catalogue and to select audio clips to be sent and wherein the audio clips form part of a greetings message. Customers may additionally include in the message a pre-recorded audio message/audio/video clip the customer records or uploads online e.g. customer saying "check out this one!".

Description

SAMPLE CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM

Field of the invention

[0001]The present invention relates to a sample content delivery system and in particular to a telephony-based system and method for delivering sample content in the form of, but not limited to, audio clips.

Backqround of the invention [0002]Traditionally, specialist music stores offered the facility for customers to listen to music available for sale in the stores: effectively a try-before-you-buy' marketing scheme. Nowadays internet music stores, such as iTunesTM, offer an equivalent on-line service where customers are able to listen to very brief audio clips of the music available from the stores. This on-line facility is no more than the conventional try-before-you-buy' scheme and inherently requires an individual to logon to the on-line website of the music store in order to listen to the music.

[0003] Newer viral' marketing schemes involve making brief audio I video clips freely available on social networking websites such as MySpaceTM.

These viral marketing techniques are not suitable for all audio I video content because the clips must be freely available in order to be posted on the social networking sites and this means that the content can be downloaded and saved on personal electronic devices. Moreover, like the try-before-you-buy' marketing scheme, viral marketing similarly requires potential customers to access the clips on-line.

[0004]The electronic dissemination of audio clips is also known in relation to the greetings card industry. In EP 0784394 an electronic system for the purchase, creation and delivery of greetings cards is described. The electronic system involves a dedicated terminal with which a user interacts to design a personalised greetings card. Once the design of the personalised greetings card is complete the user has the option to send the greetings card electronically to an email account. Audio content may be included in the electronic card but this is limited to a spoken message which is recorded or a music clip chosen from a very limited predetermined set of pre-recorded musical selections. Thus, the recipient is only able to view the greetings card when they have access to their email account.

[0005]An alternative greetings card system is described in W002/03630.

This system is intended to be accessed via the internet and enables a user to design and personalise a greetings card intended for another which may include audio I video content. Once the design is complete it is saved on the system and the system sends a message, for example in the form of an email or as a short message service (SMS) text, to the mobile phone of the intended recipient of the greetings cards informing them of the existence of the greetings card. This message includes security data which will be required in order for the recipient to access the personalised greetings card from the internet site. Hence, the recipient can only view the greetings card when they have internet access.

[0006] In US 5,787,151 a telephony-based electronic greetings card service is described. A user connects to the service by telephone and using either dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals or voice commands the user is able to purchase a voice greetings card. The voice greetings card may include a pre-recorded audio message and I or a recording of the user's own voice message which is stored in association with a recipient's contact telephone number. At a user designated date and time, the voice greetings card service calls the recipient using their contact telephone number and replays the voice greetings card to the recipient across the telephony network.

Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an improvement over existing sample content delivery systems and methods.

[0008]A further object of the present invention is to provide a media marketing system and method which encourages secure dissemination of sample content.

[0009]A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic greetings card system and method.

[OO1O]A still further object of the present invention is to provide a telephony-based sample content delivery system and method; media marketing system and method, and electronic greetings card system and method.

[0011]The present invention therefore provides a sample content delivery system for delivering samples of content over a telephone network, the system comprising: a user interface for enabling communication between the system and one or more users of the system; a sample content store in which is stored searchable sample content information relating to one or more content catalogues; a controller adapted to generate a message event which includes a user selection of sample content for transmission as a message; and a telephony network interface adapted for communication with a public telephony network whereby the sample content delivery system is adapted to transmit via a public telephony network a message containing one or more samples of content selected by a user.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment the user interface is an internet interface.

[0013] The sample content may comprise audio or video clips and may include commercially available clips or clips recorded and I or uploaded by a user of the system.

[0014]Also, in the preferred embodiment the sample content store contains sample content information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.

[0015] Ideally, the telephony network interface is adapted for connection to a public switched telephone network. The sample content delivery system may therefore further comprise a digital to analogue converter for converting stored digital audio content into analogue audio content for transmission on the public switched telephone network.

[0016]Additionally, the controller may be adapted to include in the message event for transmission a voice message. Thus, the sample content delivery system may further include a voice message store in which is stored a plurality of selectable pre-recorded messages.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment the system additionally includes a payment controller adapted to manage payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample content to a recipient by the system.

[0018] In a further aspect the present invention provides a greetings message system which includes a sample content delivery system as described herein.

[0019]The greetings message system may further include a greetings store in which is stored a plurality of selectable pre-recorded greetings messages and the controller may be adapted to include in the message event for transmission a selected greetings message.

[0020] In a still further aspect the present invention provides a media marketing system for delivering samples of media over a telephone network, the system comprising: a user interface for enabling communication between the system and one or more users of the system; a sample media store in which is stored searchable sample media information relating to one or more media catalogues; a controller adapted to generate a message event which includes a user selection of sample media for transmission as a message; and a telephony network interface adapted for communication with a public telephony network whereby the sample media delivery system is adapted to transmit via a public telephony network a message containing one or more samples of media selected by a user.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment the user interface is an internet interface.

[0022] The sample content may comprise audio or video clips and includes commercially available clips. Also, the sample media store may contain sample media information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.

[0023] Ideally, the telephony network interface is adapted for connection to a public switched telephone network. In which case the media marketing system may further include a digital to analogue converter for converting stored digital audio media into analogue audio media for transmission on the public switched telephone network.

[0024]Also, preferably the controller is adapted to include in the message event for transmission a voice message. In which case the media marketing system may further include a voice message store in which is stored a plurality of selectable pre-recorded messages. The media marketing system may additionally include an audio recording device for recording a vocal message and I or music provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment the media marketing system includes a payment controller adapted to manage payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample media to a recipient by the system.

[0026] In a yet further aspect the present invention provides a sample content delivery method for delivering samples of content over a telephone network, the method comprising the following steps: providing to one or more users searchable sample content information relating to one or more content catalogues; receiving a user selection of sample content for transmission in a message to a recipient; generating a message event which includes the user selection of sample content; and transmitting a message based upon the message event via a public telephony network, the message containing one or more samples of content selected by a user.

[0027] Preferably the method further includes the step of providing internet access to the searchable sample content information. The sample content store may contain sample content information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment the message is transmitted via a public switched telephone network. In which case the method further includes the step of converting stored digital audio content into analogue audio content for transmission on the public switched telephone network.

[0029] Ideally, the method further includes the step of including in the message event for transmission a voice message. Hence, the method may also include the step of receiving a user selection of one or more pre-recorded messages selected from a plurality of pre-recorded messages stored in a voice message store. Alternatively or in addition, the method may further include the step of recording a vocal message provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.

[0030] Ideally, the method additionally includes the step of receiving payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample content to a recipient by the system.

[0031]In a further aspect the present invention provides a greetings message delivery method including the steps of the sample content delivery method as described herein.

[0032]A further aspect of the present invention is a media marketing method for delivering samples of media over a telephone network, the method comprising the following steps: providing to one or more users searchable sample media information relating to one or more media catalogues; receiving a user selection of sample media for transmission in a message to a recipient; generating a message event which includes the user selection of sample media; and transmitting a message based upon the message event via a public telephony network, the message containing one or more samples of media selected by a user.

[0033] Ideally, the media marketing method includes the step of providing internet access to the searchable sample media information.

[0034] The sample content may comprise audio or video clips and includes commercially available clips. Also, the sample media store may contain sample media information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.

[0035] Preferably, the message is transmitted via a public switched telephone network. In which case the method may further include the step of converting stored digital audio media into analogue audio media for transmission on the public switched telephone network.

[0036] The method may also include the step of including in the message event for transmission a voice message which may include the step of receiving a user selection of one or more pre-recorded messages selected from a plurality of pre-recorded messages stored in a voice message store.

Alternatively or in addition, the method may further include the step of recording a vocal message provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.

[0037] Ideally, the media marketing method further includes the step of receiving payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample media to a recipient by the system.

[0038]Thus, with the present invention, users are able to send audio clips to their friends and family which can be listened to but not stored. The audio clips may form part of a greetings message and I or may be employed by users to bring music they already know or have found to the attention of their friends and family. In the latter case, the present invention creates a totally new marketing system and method involving the use of social networks to raise awareness of and interest in music products.

Brief description of the drawings

[0039]An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0040] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a conceptual overview of a telephony-based sample content delivery system in accordance with the present invention; [0041]Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps to be followed in creating and purchasing an electronic message using the telephony-based sample content delivery system of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present invention; and [0042] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps to be followed by the telephony-based sample content delivery system of Fig. 1 in delivering an electronic message, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention [0043] An overview of a sample content delivery system 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The system 10 generally comprises one or more servers (which are described in greater detail below); an input I output (I/O) interface 11 for enabling communication by the system with third parties via the internet 2 or any other equivalent public network; and connections (not illustrated) between the one or more servers and the I/O interface 11, preferably in the form of a network of buses and switches. As illustrated, the I/O interface 11 ideally includes a firewall and I or other conventional security systems and devices to protect the system 10 from abuse via the public network.

The I/O interface 11 is preferably voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) compatible preferably supporting a range of VoIP protocols such as, but not limited to, session initiation protocol (SIP), H.323 etc. [0044] Optionally, the system 10 additionally includes an audio media store in the form of a music catalogue. However, as illustrated in Fig. 1, it is preferred that the music catalogue 20 is an on-line entity separate from the system 10. Moreover, although only a single music catalogue is illustrated in Fig. 1, ideally the system 10 is adapted to operate in association with a plurality of different commercial music catalogues accessible via the internet 2. In the latter case, the system 10 includes one or more playlists, in the form of searchable sample content information, representative of the music available from the various music catalogues. The music catalogue includes in association with full pieces of music a short, e.g. 30 second, clip of that music. The audio clip is preferably stored in any commonly available media format for example.wav or MP3.

[0045] Users of the system 10 in the form, of customers 2 access the system via the internet 2. Users may access the system 10 by means of any internet compatible device including but not limited to a conventional desktop or laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or mobile phone. In overview, the system 10 offers users 3 the opportunity to select one or more audio clips for the system 10 to send to a recipient 4 as part of a message from the user 3 to the recipient 4. The system 10 communicates with recipients 4 of users' messages via conventional telephony networks including cellular networks 5. This is achieved by the system 10 connecting to the telephony networks via the internet 2 and I or via a separate telephony interface 12 that is in communication with a conventional public switched telephone network (PSTN) 6 which, in turn, is capable of connection with recipients' landline telephones.

[0046]As mentioned earlier, the sample content delivery system 10 includes one or more servers which control the production and communication of messages. To aid comprehension, the various functions of the system 10 are illustrated in Fig. 1 by means of a plurality of separate servers. It will be appreciated, however, that it is not essential for the servers described herein to be implemented as separate hardware components. Instead, the functionality and methodology of the system 10 may be implemented on one server or on a plurality of servers with the functionality distributed amongst the plurality of servers differently from the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. Any conventional server hardware may be used for the implementation of the system. Preferably, though, the servers are set up with a Unix-type operating system such as Linux. The servers alone or in combination control all of the operations of the system and as such each separately includes or jointly forms a controller.

[0047]As illustrated in Fig. 1 the sample content delivery system 10 includes the following servers: a content server 13, a telephony server 14, a web server 15 and a payment server 16. The web server 15 manages all communication with its customers 3 and may include one or more data stores (not shown) in which customer data is stored. Preferably, the customer data is stored in a structured query language (SQL) database although alternative databases are also envisaged. Customers are required to register with the system 10 in order to use the message service and thus the stored customer data may include the following, non-limiting, list of information: identification in the form of a user name, contact details, password information, address book, service usage history and music preferences. The system 10 preferably employs a conventional basket to checkout purchase system and the contents of a user's basket is managed by the web server 15 until such time as a user opts for checkout.

[0048]The content server 13 provides the search interface for the one or more music catalogues 20. This search interface enables customers to search a playlist representative of the content of the music catalogues 20 and to select audio clips to be sent as part of a telephony message to a recipient. The search interface includes a plurality of different search functions including but not limited to: name of performer, name of author, music title, album title, popularity e.g. top five' choices, category and genre classifications. Alternatively, the web server 15 may provide a hyperlink to re-direct the customer to the music catalogue 20, where the music catalogue offers its own search interface.

[0049] The telephony server 14 has two key functions: a message store and a message delivery system. Thus, when a customer 3 purchases a message to be sent to a recipient, the telephony server 14 creates a new message event and stores the details of the message including the following: details of the recipient including their telephone number; the date and time when the message is to be communicated to the recipient; and one or more audio clips which are to be played as part of the message.

Optionally, a customer may additionally include in the message a pre-recorded audio message and I or an audio I video clip the customer records or uploads on-line e.g. the customer saying "check out this one!" Ideally, the one or more music clips are spooled as part of a stored message event.

[0050]As mentioned above, the telephony server 14 also manages the delivery of a message to a recipient 4. Thus, the telephony server 14 includes a call management platform, e.g. AsteriskTM, which preferably is VoIP compatible and interactive voice response (IVR) compatible. The operation of the telephony server 14 is described in detail below.

[0051]The payment server 16 is preferably provided on a separate secure server using secure sockets layer encryption with a digital certificate (SSL) or a similar security system making the payment server 16 compatible with one or more internet-based e-commerce systems, for example PaypalTM, as well conventional credit I debit card payment systems. The system 10 preferably employs a conventional basket and checkout procedure for payment. Thus, information on the contents of a customer's basket and the related charges to be paid are transferred from the web server 15 to the payment server 16 once a customer opts to proceed to checkout.

[0052] In Fig. 2 a method for creating an electronic message including one or more sample music clips is illustrated and is described in detail below.

Once a customer has logged on to the website of the sample content delivery system 10 the customer commences a search of the one or more playlists stored in the content server 13 to find sample audio clips of interest. The customer enters on an interactive webpage search criteria in the form of one or more keywords and I or music categories I classifications, SI. If the relevant music categories or classifications are unknown to the customer and are not prompted by the search interface, the customer's keywords will be used to interrogate the music categories to find one or more categories of interest, S2.

[0053] Once the search query has been finalised by the customer, the one or more playlists are interrogated, S3, to identify relevant available music clips. The search results in terms of relevant music clips are displayed to the customer. From these search results one or more music clip selections are made by the customer S4. The manner and ordering of the search results may take many different forms including, but not limited to, ranking based on customer popularity.

[0054] Having completed the music clip selection, the customer is then prompted to provide information in terms of the one or more recipients of the music clips, their telephone numbers and the date and time when the message(s) are to be delivered, S5. The customer is also offered the opportunity to include a voice message which may be a pre-stored message selected from a plurality of pre-recorded messages stored in the system or a message the customer chooses to record using their own voice in which case the system includes any suitable audio recording device.

Once all details of the message have been entered to the system the customer is prompted to add the message ordered to their basket, S6.

[0055]As an alternative to making a selection from the music clips available from the playlists, the sample content delivery system may also offer the option for a customer to record or upload their own music or other audio I visual sample content as a clip to be sent via the telephone system to their chosen recipient(s).

[0056] Once the customer has completed all message orders they may opt to save the messages but not pay for them, in which case, the details of the messages are saved as part of the customer's data but the messages are not transferred to the telephony server 14. If the customer opts to purchase delivery of the messages, then the customer's details, including the contents of their basket, are transferred to the payment server 16.

Once payment is complete the messages are transferred to the telephony server 14 as new message events. Optionally, payment may be deferred until a success message delivery in which case the customer's payment details and authorisation is stored until required.

[0057] Message events remain stored in the telephony server 14 until the customer selected date and time of delivery. As shown in Fig. 3, at the correct date and time, the content of the message event is recovered including the one or more music clips. The music clips may have been stored as part of the message event or, more preferably, identification only of the music clips is stored as part of the message event. In the latter case the telephony server 14 accesses the actual music clips and spools the clips when the server is ready to deliver the message, Sb.

[0058]The telephony server 14 then generates the remainder of the customer's message by adding any additional messages, Sib. Where the customer entered a text message when ordering the message event, the text is converted, using conventional conversion software, to speech S12.

Where the customer recorded their own message this is converted from a digital recording to an analogue recording S13 for transmission over the telephone network. The system 10 ideally includes any convention digital to analogue converter for this purpose.

[0059] Once the message is complete, the telephony server 14 accesses the telephone network and dials the recipient's telephone number, S14.

Assuming that the telephone call is answered, the telephony server 14 initially generates a series of questions which the recipient answers, using conventional interactive voice response software. Once the telephony server 14 has been given confirmation from the person answering the telephone call that they wish to hear the message sent by the customer, the message and music clips are replayed to the recipient S15. If the telephone call is not answered the telephony server 14 will perform a predetermined number of repeated attempts to contact the recipient before abandoning the message event. If the telephone call is answered but the telephony server 14 does not receive the appropriate confirmation e.g. someone other than the recipient answers the call, then depending upon the answers given by the person who answered the call, the message event is either abandoned or a predetermined number of repeated future attempts are made.

[0060] Once the message has been successfully delivered or the message event has been abandoned, optionally the telephony server 14 may issue a confirmation to the customer S16, for example by email.

[0061]The sample content delivery system 10 may be adapted to function as a greetings message creation and delivery system. As a greetings message delivery system, the search interface of the content server 13 preferably provides additional searchable music clip categories specific to the suitability of the music for specific events. Thus, a customer may search for music clips in the playlist which the system 10 has classified as suitable for a wedding or a birthday etc. Furthermore, the pre-stored messages that may accompany a customer's music clip selection preferably include popular messages of goodwill e.g. "Happy Birthday", "Happy Christmas", "Congratulations!" etc. [0062] With the sample content delivery system and method described herein users are able to send audio and I or video clips to others via a telephony network. The sample content delivery system is compatible with PSTN and so permits audio clips to be sent to peoples' land line telephones. Moreover, as the audio clips are delivered via a telephony network, it is not necessary for the recipient to have access to the internet to receive and enjoy the clips. Additionally, this ensures the copyright security of the sample content delivery system and method because the clips cannot be recorded or stored by the recipient. If the recipient enjoys a music clip they receive on their phone, the recipient will need to purchase the music from a physical or on-line store if they wish to listen to the music again or in full.

[0063] The audio I video clips may form part of a greetings message and I or may be sent by customers to bring music they already know or have found to the attention of their friends and family, for example. In the latter case, the sample content delivery system and method creates a totally new music video marketing system and method involving the use of social networks to raise awareness of and interest in music products. The marketing system and method described herein offers parallels to, but is not identical to, conventional viral marketing in which any ownership rights to the clips must be abandoned. The marketing system and method described herein uses word-of-mouth' to raise awareness. Additionally, unlike conventional viral marketing, users of the sample content delivery system incur charges and thus the marketing system and method also generates income.

[0064] It To the extent that the sample content delivery system offers improved marketing opportunities it is envisaged that the system may include in the messages it transmits to recipients details of where full recordings of the music I video clips may be obtained. Optionally, the message may offer a call-back facility whereby at the end of the message the recipient may opt for the telephone call to be re-directed to the supplier of the recorded music I video. Also, the sample content delivery system may additionally provide links to the catalogues from its website so that customers may access and purchase the complete recordings.

[0065]The above describes a preferred implementation of the present invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are alternative implementations which are encompassed by the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The scope of the -14-present disclosure should therefore be taken to include any novel feature or combination of features or equivalents thereof, which are described herein, either explicitly or implicitly, or any generalisation thereof.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat we claim is: 1. A sample content delivery system for delivering samples of content over a telephone network, the system comprising: a user interface for enabling communication between the system and one or more users of the system; a sample content store in which is stored searchable sample content information relating to one or more content catalogues; a controller adapted to generate a message event which includes a user selection of sample content for transmission as a message; and a telephony network interface adapted for communication with a public telephony network whereby the sample content delivery system is adapted to transmit via a public telephony network a message containing one or more samples of content selected by a user.
2. A sample content delivery system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface is an internet interface.
3. A sample content delivery system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sample content comprises audio clips.
4. A sample content delivery system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sample content store contains sample content information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.
5. A sample content delivery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the telephony network interface is adapted for connection to a public switched telephone network.
6. A sample content delivery system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a digital to analogue converter for converting stored digital audio content into analogue audio content for transmission on the public switched telephone network.
7. A sample content delivery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is adapted to include in the message event for transmission a voice message.
8. A sample content delivery system as claimed in claim 7, further including a voice message store in which is stored a plurality of selectable pre-recorded messages.
9. A sample content delivery system as claimed in either of claims 7 or 8, further comprising a recording device for recording audio and I or video content provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.
10. A sample content delivery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a payment controller adapted to manage payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample content to a recipient by the system.
11. A greetings message system including a sample content delivery system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. A greetings message system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a greetings store in which is stored a plurality of selectable pre-recorded greetings messages and wherein the controller is adapted to include in the message event for transmission a selected greetings message.
13. A media marketing system for delivering samples of media over a telephone network, the system comprising: a user interface for enabling communication between the system and one or more users of the system; a sample media store in which is stored searchable sample media information relating to one or more media catalogues; a controller adapted to generate a message event which includes a user selection of sample media for transmission as a message; and a telephony network interface adapted for communication with a public telephony network whereby the sample media delivery system is adapted to transmit via a public telephony network a message containing one or more samples of media selected by a user.
14. A media marketing system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the user interface is an internet interface.
15. A media marketing system as claimed in either of claims 13 or 14, wherein the sample media comprises audio clips.
16. A media marketing system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sample media store contains sample media information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.
17. A media marketing system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the telephony network interface is adapted for connection to a public switched telephone network.
18. A media marketing system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a digital to analogue converter for converting stored digital audio media into analogue audio media for transmission on the public switched telephone network.
19. A media marketing system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the controller is adapted to include in the message event for transmission a voice message.
20. A media marketing system as claimed in claim 19, further including a voice message store in which is stored a plurality of selectable pre-recorded messages.
21. A media marketing system as claimed in either of claims 19 or 20, further comprising an audio recording device for recording a vocal message provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.
22. A media marketing system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21, further comprising a payment controller adapted to manage payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample media to a recipient by the system.
23. A sample content delivery method for delivering samples of content over a telephone network, the method comprising the following steps: providing to one or more users searchable sample content information relating to one or more content catalogues; receiving a user selection of sample content for transmission in a message to a recipient; generating a message event which includes the user selection of sample content; and transmitting a message based upon the message event via a public telephony network, the message containing one or more samples of content selected by a user.
24. A sample content delivery method as claimed in claim 23, further including the step of providing internet access to the searchable sample content information.
25. A sample content delivery method as claimed in either of claims 23 or 24, wherein the sample content comprises audio clips.
26. A sample content delivery method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the sample content store contains sample content information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.
27. A sample content delivery method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the message is transmitted via a public switched telephone network.
28. A sample content delivery method as claimed in claim 27, further including the step of converting stored digital audio content into analogue audio content for transmission on the public switched telephone network.
29. A sample content delivery method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28, further including the step of including in the message event for transmission a voice message.
30. A sample content delivery method as claimed in claim 29, further including the step of receiving a user selection of one or more pre-recorded messages selected from a plurality of pre-recorded messages stored in a voice message store.
31. A sample content delivery method as claimed in either of claims 29 or 30, further including the step of recording a vocal message provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.
32. A sample content delivery method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 31, further including the step of receiving payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample content to a recipient by the system.
33. A greetings message delivery method including the steps of the -20 -sample content delivery method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 32.
34. A media marketing method for delivering samples of media over a telephone network, the method comprising the following steps: providing to one or more users searchable sample media information relating to one or more media catalogues; receiving a user selection of sample media for transmission in a message to a recipient; generating a message event which includes the user selection of sample media; and transmitting a message based upon the message event via a public telephony network, the message containing one or more samples of media selected by a user.
35. A media marketing method as claimed in claim 34, further including the step of providing internet access to the searchable sample media information.
36. A media marketing method as claimed in either of claims 34 or 35, wherein the sample content comprises audio clips.
37. A media marketing method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the sample media store contains sample media information relating to a plurality of music catalogues.
38. A media marketing method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the message is transmitted via a public switched telephone network.
39. A media marketing method as claimed in claim 38, further including the step of converting stored digital audio media into analogue audio media for transmission on the public switched telephone network.

-21 -
40. A media marketing method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 39, further including the step of including in the message event for transmission a voice message.
41. A media marketing method as claimed in claim 40, further including the step of receiving a user selection of one or more pre-recorded messages selected from a plurality of pre-recorded messages stored in a voice message store.
42. A media marketing method as claimed in either of claims 40 or 41, further including the step of recording a vocal message provided by a user for inclusion in the message event.
43. A media marketing method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 42, further including the step of receiving payments made by users in respect of the transmission of sample media to a recipient by the system.-22 -