Optimal list-price mechanism design for multi-level device click-through in targeted print or electronic communication

A method for differentiating prices for delivering at least one communication from an advertiser to a consumer, said method comprising:

• (a) defining a first advertisement product with at least a first set of parameters;
• (b) defining a second advertisement product with a second set of parameters, said second set of parameters different from said first set of parameters;
• (c) obtaining a first demand curve for said first advertisement product and a second demand curve for said second advertisement product;
• (d) determining a first optimal price for said first advertisement product by analyzing said first demand curve, a capacity of said communications which can be delivered to said consumer, or combinations thereof;
• (e) determining a second optimal price for said second advertisement product by analyzing said second demand curve, said capacity of said communications which can be delivered to said consumer, or combinations thereof;
• (f) collecting said first optimal price from said advertiser when said communication is delivered to said consumer if said first set of parameters is met or collecting said second optimal price from said advertiser when said communication is delivered to said consumer if said second set of parameters is met.

A method for optimizing a price for delivering at least one communication from an advertiser to a consumer, said method comprising:

• (a) defining an advertisement product with at least one parameter;
• (b) obtaining a demand curve for said advertisement product;
• (c) calculating a first profit function as a function of said demand curve;
• (d) calculating a second profit function as a function of a capacity of communications that can be delivered to said consumer;
• (e) determining a first price at a maximum of said first profit function;
• (f) determining a second price at an intersection of said first profit function with said second profit function;
• (g) determining as an optimal price a greater of said first and second prices;
• and,
• (h) delivering said optimal price to said advertiser, an aggregator for said advertiser, or combinations thereof, audibly, visibly, as a printed document, or combinations thereof, through a multi-function device.