Method and apparatus for embedding advertisements in audio files for internet and network distribution

A method of combining at least two audio files containing media into a new audio file, the method comprising:

• receiving a first audio file that contains advertising content from a first party;
• receiving a second audio file that includes non-advertising content from a second party;
• creating a single combined audio file from the first and second audio files, the combined audio file being a single digital file in an audio file format that includes the advertising content of the first audio file in a portion of the combined audio file and the non-advertising content of the second audio file in another portion of the combined audio file;
• making the combined audio file accessible for download to a plurality of users via a computer network;
• transmitting the combined audio file to a at least one device where the entire combined audio file is saved for later playback;
• receiving a payment from the first party for inclusion of the first audio file with the combined audio file;
• and
• distributing at least a portion of the payment as a royalty payment to the second party for the inclusion of the second audio file with the combined audio file,
• wherein the combined audio file is made accessible for download free of charge to the plurality of users,
• wherein the saved combined audio file can be played back repeatedly on the device, and the combined audio file is configured so that when the combined audio file is played back from a saved location on the device, both the first and second audio files are played, and
• wherein each time the combined audio file is played back, the portion of the combined audio file containing the advertising content is played before the portion of the combined audio file containing the non-advertising content.