Claims:1. A method for generating a video email, comprising:
a. a video for display on a computer screen;
b. image for display on a computer screen;
c. correlating the video and the image positions in a pre-selected matrix to display on a computer screen;
d. establishing a sender's email address;
e. establishing a subject heading for broadcasting a video email;
f. creating a link to the image and a link to the video for integrated access and uploading; and
g. creating the ability to fetch and display the image and the video for display on a computer screen of a recipient in the pre-selected matrix.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the video is stored at one of a streaming server, designated IP Address, and a web site.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the video is a file stored in a streaming server.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is stored at one of a streaming server, designated IP Address, and a web site.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin image is an animated file.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the video is stored at one of a streaming server, designated IP Address, and a web site for integrated access and uploading.

, Description:Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for creating and marketing video e-mail and to an intelligent server that can also function as an ad server.
Background of the Invention
Internet advertising and particularly video e-mail are growing at an incredible rate. Today online advertising has reached $6 billion. However rich media which include video and sound remain a small slice with as spending last year of 2% in 2001, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau and Price Waterhouse Coopers. While online advertising remains minuscule by YV standards, a June 2003 survey of marketing executives by Jupiter Research found that 64% plan to run online video ads in the next 12 months, up from 38% who reported running such ads in the previous 12 months in annual spending. The perception is that businesses are beginning to perceive video and e-mail marketing as the silver bullet for acquisition and retention strategies because it's fast, cost-effective and provides immediate viewing and interactive feedback. As a result, the volume of opt-in commercial e-mails continues to rise at a furious pace.
What can be done with video e-mail marketing appears to be only limited by one's imagination, e.g. whether one uses e-mail to introduce new products, announce upgrades, communicate new prices, trumpet new features or personnel, the list appears virtually endless.
Comparing e-mail marketing to regular mail, radio or television, the response rates for regular mail, radio or television is from 0.5% to 2% whereas it is not uncommon with e-mail video to obtain response rates in the 3% to 10% range. Currently, there is no other marketing that can deliver such a strong result. The Internet user population in the U.S alone is now over 140 million. Surveys of on-line shoppers reveal that more than 40% say e-mail was an important factor in their most recent purchase.
The challenge with e-mailing video on the web has always been file watching the video either universally through a click or automatically based on individual desktop settings populated by various media formats, bandwidth and compatibility. To date all e-mailed video commercials developed require a special player, plug-in and or executables to view it, and none has an ability to play automatically on popular email programs (e.g. Outlook, Outlook Express, Incredimail). Accordingly, there still exists a strong need for a video e-mail that meet the challenge and that can be used effectively as a marketing tool
Object of the Invention
The present invention provides a method and system for generating and marketing video e-mail and to an intelligent server that can function as an ad server.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention by providing video and sound in one small envelope to create a new vehicle as the basis for e-mail marketing to or for advertisers, businesses and service companies. The generated video e-mail meets the challenge in the art by generating an e-mailing video with an appropriate file size, bandwidth and compatibility. Further, the generated e-mailed video commercial requires no special player to view it, and has a very small file size, of under 800K for thirty-seconds of video when sent as an attachment. The file size of video e-mailing when sent as a streaming work with ad-server is no more than 15K (Kilo Byte). By the advent of the present invention, instead of a text message, the business world can send a video message that offers the dynamics of color, movement and sound. The present invention constitutes a revolutionary marketing and technological product.
The present invention enables the broadcast to the masses of video e-mails, whether working from a client produced video, TV Ad, or a video produced for a client, it is possible to send video e-mails of any thirty-second video content. Thus, businesses, taking advantage of the present invention can now explore new profit centers, increase web traffic, and achieve high impression and response rates while playing to a captive desktop, laptop, wireless and cell or other mobile audience. The present invention allows viewers to watch the best picture quality video with the smallest file size packaged in a dependable format that every Internet user can view. By the method of the present invention a video message is created that is e-mailed to one or more specified e-mail addresses. The invention offers a valuable solution for businesses, agencies, list providers and any other company involved with e-mail marketing. A video e-mail can be made from an existing TV commercial or any video content. The invention also provides a way to produce a video e-mail from concept to completion. The invention relates to a method and apparatus for marketing a video email including the production of a video email. The generation of a video email comprising one or more of the following steps. Providing a video for display on a computer screen. Providing a skin for display on a computer screen. Correlating the video and the skin positions in a pre-selected matrix to display on a computer. Providing Sender's email address. Providing Subject Heading for broadcasting video email. Providing Reply Address as an alternate email address for correspondence (other than the Sender's Address). Providing User defined Action Labels in form of text or image connecting to links, email address, web pages, and IP addresses. Providing links to skin or image file.
Brief Description of Drawings:
FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps involved in the alternative low-cost graphic and video production according to the method of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Invention:
FIG. 1, The Commercial Low-Cost Graphic & Video Production. This flowchart expands on the steps followed by the Franchisee to create a graphics video production ready for linking to CVEG. The program is initialized in Step 0, and moves in parallel to Steps 1, 4 and 5. In Step 1 the decision is taken whether the graphics are in JPEG Format. If the answer to this decision is NO, then the program moves to Step 2 and the graphics are converted to JPEG, JPG, GIF, and the program returns to the main flow. When the answer to this decision in Step 1 is YES, the program advances to Step 3 where the graphics are imported to the production software. In Step 4 the music is selected within the software or is imported from another source, in either case it is ready to be imported to the production software. In Step 5 the script is written for production and readied for import into the production software. In Step 6, the three elements, graphics, music and script are compiled, and the script is rehearsed. Final editing takes place in Step 7, and Production is recorded in Step 8, after which, in Step 9, the Production is published within software in AVI format and saved for handoff to the server or other designated storage location for access by CVEG. If the software is not in AVI format, but is in VHS, Digital Video, or Hi8 format, it needs to be converted to AVI. This can be done by either the Franchisee or the Franchisor. Finally, in Step 10 the program jumps to the Postproduction Process. As previously noted, the CVEG generates the emails with HTML code so that after the email arrives at the desktop (computer) of the recipient, the HTML code goes and retrieves or fetches one or more of the following: a. video; b. image (graphic or skin); c. attachments; and d. links from one or more of the following locations: a. the intelligent video streaming server; b. another server(s) where it is stored; and c. website.
Summarizing the foregoing for the Low-Cost Production, graphic images ready to be imported into commercial production software must be in jpeg format.