Method of accelerating delivery of magazines to a new subscriber

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a system and method of accelerating the delivery of magazine issues to a new subscriber and to keep records of the number of issues delivered on an accelerated basis for adjustment against normally delivered issues.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The following drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and constitute part of the specification.

#FIG. 1 is a system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the central controller used in the system shown in FIG. 1;

#Introduction

#The method and system according to one embodiment of the invention satisfies the shortcomings of the existing publication delivery methods and systems by accelerating delivery of the first few issues of a magazine subscription to a subscriber (or consumer). The method and system accomplishes this in a seamless fashion through the coordination of at least one fulfillment center and at least one printing house. All information associated with a new subscription order is stored in a database and the fulfillment center and the printing houses are notified to initiate appropriate subscriptions for each consumer. During the period in which the new subscription order information has yet to be fulfilled by the fulfillment center, the printing house continues to distribute the magazine to the subscriber. Once the subscriber's order is fulfilled through the traditional method, the fulfillment center manages subsequent magazine delivery. Information concerning prior deliveries handled by the printing houses are reported to the fulfillment center, publishers, and third parties for reconciliation purposes (revenue reconciliation, issue count reconciliation, advertising reconciliation, etc.).

#System of the Invention