Method and system for utilizing accounts to obtain music and promote music purchases

A method of promoting the sale of music comprising:

• creating a plurality of promotional accounts;
• associating a plurality of points with each of said accounts;
• associating information identifying one of said promotional accounts with a media storing data representing music content;
• distributing a first and a second media to a consumer;
• accepting information identifying a first promotional account and a second promotional account associated with said first and second media from said consumer;
• and
• merging said first and second promotional accounts into a single account having a total number of points comprising the sum of said plurality of points associated with said first and second promotional accounts.

A method of utilizing an account to promote the sale of music and related merchandise comprising the steps of:

• establishing a first account;
• distributing information identifying said first account to a consumer;
• associating information regarding purchases of media storing data representing music by said consumer with said first account, said information comprising a number of points representing said purchases;
• associating information regarding a number of promotional points awarded to said consumer with said first account;
• and
• permitting said consumer to redeem said points associated with said first account for merchandise.

A method of facilitating digital music purchases by a consumer using a financial system, comprising:

• establishing a communications link between a first server and a second server at a remote location;
• identifying a user of the first server;
• transmitting data to be stored from the first server to the second server via the communications link;
• associating identifying information regarding the user with the transmitted data;
• choosing a digital music selection;
• paying for the music selection with the music financial account;
• and
• downloading the music selection from said second server to the first server via said communication link.