DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0060] Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at 10 in FIG. 1, a block diagram of a method of an online business 11 that recruits artistic talent 12 world-wide using the Internet and that also utilizes consumer feedback to determine which artists are preferred by the consuming public 13 so that a contract can be awarded from a contracting entity 14 to the preferred artists. The online business 11 basically comprises a web site 15 and the support entity 16 that runs the online business 11 and operates the web site 15. Artists from around the world, can upload representations of their respective works, as well as personal information, to the web site 15. The online business 11 then organizes the artist information and artistic works via artist profiles (to be discussed in detail later) that are available to the consuming public 13 at the web site 15. The consuming public can then review any artist and his/her respective artistic works. In addition, the consuming public can provide input (e.g., where the online business 11 is an online record label, the consuming public can “rate an artist's band” or post a message about the artist/band) via the artist profile (see FIG. 6).

[0061] Furthermore, to obtain consuming public 13 feedback regarding those artists preferred by the consuming public 13, an interactive investment simulation game 30 (as will be discussed in detail later) is available via the web site. In particular, all of the unsigned artists/artistic works are pre-selected by talent representatives of the online business (e.g., in the record business, the online record business uses artist and repetoire (A&R) representatives; see FIG. 3B; similarly, in the modeling business or story-scripting business analogous pre-selecting personnel are used) to determine their eligibility for the interactive simulation game 30. Those artists considered eligible to participate in the interactive investment simulation game 30 can be “voted on” by the consuming public 13 through virtual stock bought and sold by the consuming public 13, as will be discussed in detail later. Based on those artist(s) preferred by the consuming public, the online business 11 then awards those artists contracts and implements the contracts.

[0062] It should be understood that the method 10 set forth above has applications in many types of businesses, such as the record business, the modeling business, the story-scripting business, etc. When applied to the record business (as will be discussed in detail below), the support entity 16 is a record label and the artists/work 12 are musicians that want to promote their music/video; when applied to the modeling industry, the support entity 16 may be an online modeling agency seeking models to promote their clients' products or operation/services and the models send pertinent information (e.g., images, photographs, etc.) to the modeling agency 16 for consideration; when applied to the story scripting business, the support entity 16 may be a publisher or movie production company seeking a story line for a new book or movie. One of the key features of the method 10 is that it provides an artist, anywhere in the world, with the ability to have his/her talent presented to the consuming public for their consideration, thereby avoiding the current hurdles of not being able to even “get a foot in the door.” Another key feature of the method 10 is that it lets the consuming public 13 decide who should be promoted to the next stage, i.e., contract, of bringing a new work of art to the world, thereby avoiding the support agency 16 always making that determination for the consuming public 13. For example, in the record industry, the record labels alone make the decision of which artists will be promoted.

[0063] FIG. 2 depicts the method 10 implemented in the record business and is hereinafter referred to as the method 20. In particular, the method 20 comprises an online record business 21 that operates, supports and maintains a web site 25. As also shown in FIG. 2, the Online record business 21 is known as “OnlineRecordBiz.com” and supports the web site 25 having that URL (uniform resource locator). Unsigned recording artists 22, from around the world, interface with the online record business 21 via the Internet by uploading their music and personal information to the web site 25. By providing this interface, the online record business 21 greatly assists the unsigned artists 22 by avoiding all of the “hype” (at great expense and time to the artists 22) that normally would need to be created before a record label would even “give 'em a chance”. In addition, the consuming public 13 can then access the web site 25 and review the various unsigned artists' music/information and listen to the artists' music. Following the pre-selecting of all of these unsigned artists by A&R representatives, the consuming public 13 can then “vote” (as will be discussed in detail later) on which artists' 22 music they prefer via the interactive investment simulation game 30. Since record labels are in the business to make money, the online record business 21 will award recording contracts to those unsigned artists 22 that are most preferred by the consuming public 13. Thus, the consuming public 13 drives the awarding of recording contracts, rather than the record label driving the awarding of recording contracts.

[0064] It should also be understood that the term “artist” when used with regard to the online record business means an artist as an individual or artist as a band.

[0065] FIG. 3A depicts a block diagram of the main functions available to the user of the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25. Through this web site 25, OnlineRecordBiz.com finds the best new artists from around the world, determines new artists' success potential before signing, markets its artists, and distribute its artists' music and merchandise. This method 20 provides for decreased talent acquisition costs, decreased marketing costs, and decreased production costs. In particular, users of the web site 25 can utilize the extensive unsigned artist database 28 which includes pictures, profiles and mp3 files. The users can also utilize an interactive investment simulation game 30, a community center 32 with bulletin boards, chat rooms and e-mail. The users can also utilize an online store 34 for music and merchandise distribution.

[0066] The unsigned artist database (also referred to as the “unsigned artist talent pool”) 28 comprises an extensive database of unsigned recording artists 28 developed through both online and offline marketing techniques. Each artist is presented with the opportunity to create and maintain his/her own no-cost web page on the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25, known as artist profiles (see FIG. 6). Within their profiles, the artists share their relevant information, photographic images, at least one song, and one music video (if available). In particular, artists upload a photographic image, a text-based profile, up to three mp3 files and one video file. This is accomplished in a “do-it-yourself” fashion similar to the method used by GeoCities in permitting users to create their own pages. Furthermore, OnlineRecordBiz.com employs experienced talent scouts (i.e., the A&R representatives) to track the recording artists that join its talent pool. Talent scouts have access to daily, detailed statistics regarding each unsigned artist profile, including how many users traffic the profile, how many songs were listened to and downloaded, as well as access to interactive opinion polls and newsgroups contained within the artist profile. Those top artists are then invited to join the interactive investment simulation game 30 through which OnlineRecordBiz.com determines the actual appeal of the unsigned artist.

[0067] The interactive investment simulation game 30 is the key tool in evaluating the actual demand of the unsigned artists. Through the interactive investment simulation game 30, users virtually buy and sell stock in the more than 50 unsigned artists with imaginary money. Every few days, OnlineRecordBiz.com adds more unsigned artists to the interactive investment simulation game 30. Prices of the imaginary stocks are driven by the actual supply and demand as dictated by the traders. The top traders for each month or quarter receive various prizes such as T-shirts, CD's, cash and even a new car. In addition, the web site 25 includes a feedback section so that web site visitors can post their comments about the recording artist. Users who participate in the interactive investment simulation game 30 compete against thousands of other users daily in order to earn a variety of prizes. Moreover, through participation in the game, users actually take part in determining the next interactive investment simulation game 30 signed artist. The combination of the enjoyment and fun of the game with the power of the experience creates an exciting opportunity to OnlineRecordBiz.com users.

[0068] As mentioned previously, OnlineRecordBiz.com also uses A&R (Artist and Repertoire) representatives to watch the results of the interactive investment simulation game 30 to determine which unsigned recording artists have received the most favorable reception by the public. The artists that excel in the game 30 (i.e., the highest stock price) are traditionally scouted by the A&R representatives. If decided appropriate, those artists are then offered a recording contract with OnlineRecordBiz.com.

[0069] Once a particular artist warrants a OnlineRecordBiz.com contract (as reflected by the investment simulation game 30) OnlineRecordBiz.com actually signs the artist to a recording contract, utilizing several new media and traditional music industry marketing strategies to market its artists. For example, when OnlineRecordBiz.com signs a new artist to a recording contract, the company's site, the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25, features a 15 to 30 second animated introduction to introduce the new artist (e.g., see www.3dfx.com for a similar experience). The introduction contains information on the artist, graphics, and the artist's actual music as the user enjoys an exciting and unique experience. Furthermore, OnlineRecordBiz.com provides an individual web site for each of its signed artists. The site includes profile information, concert information, discographies, online videos, and other relevant information. After OnlineRecordBiz.com signs a particular artist, users receive a direct e-mail containing the signed artist's profile information, an attached digital download, an instant play hyperlink and a compact disc order form. In order to provide links to the new artist's web site, OnlineRecordBiz.com purchases banner advertisements on appropriate web sites to attract more potential users of the web site 25. In addition, OnlineRecordBiz.com uses television promotions, radio promotions, record store promotions and music videos to generate as much interest as possible in artists signed by OnlineRecordBiz.com. Furthermore, through the online store 34, OnlineRecordBiz.com offers users the opportunity to purchase signed artists' music, and merchandise directly through its site.

[0070] In addition to the unsigned artist talent database 28 and the interactive investment simulation game 30, OnlineRecordBiz.com offers services designed to instill a sense of community in the web site 25. Among these are e-mail accounts, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and interactive games. The web site 25 permits fans to contact artists directly via e-mail and to communicate with one another through message boards and chat. In addition, artists can use their artist profile to communicate directly with their fans, advising them of concerts and new releases and developing a fan email list.

[0071] The result of the method 20 is fourfold. First, it accelerates and streamlines the process through which the record industry recruits new talent. Second, the power to choose which recording artists become commercially popular resides in the hands of the consumer. As opposed to music being “pushed” through the channel by today's entertainment companies, music is “pulled” through by consumers who decide what they want to hear through the method 20. Third, consumers have more music from more recording artists from which they can choose. Fourth, the industry experiences major “disintermediation,” i.e., that dependence on a middle-man between suppliers and buyers (i.e., a retailer) is greatly reduced or eliminated. In order to better understand the value of the method 20, consider a brief examination of each of the four aforementioned results:

[0072] With regard to talent recruitment, by using the World Wide Web as its headquarters, OnlineRecordBiz.com essentially has a talent scout wherever there is a connection to the Internet, be it in North America, Asia, Europe or anywhere in the world. Therefore, OnlineRecordBiz.com has access to the best new talent from around the world before any other traditional music company.

[0073] With regard to consumer feedback, while traditional music companies rely solely upon their executives to predict those artists that will achieve commercial success, OnlineRecordBiz.com lets the music buying public decide. OnlineRecordBiz.com only signs those artists that have proven to be popular by the music-buying public. In doing so, OnlineRecordBiz.com greatly reduces the inefficiency currently plaguing the traditional music industry.

[0074] With regard to the consumers' music choice, via the expanding collection of artists in the unsigned artist database 28, the consuming public is provided with one of the largest databases of musical content available on the Internet. Consumers can listen to real-time or streaming audio or download thousands of songs posted on the web site 25 by artists to their personal computers free of charge, twenty-four hours a day. The music collection spans dozens of categorized genres, including pop, rock, classical, country, alternative, children's, easy listening, electronic, hip hop, rap, blues, jazz, international. Those music categories are searchable by genre, artists or location.

[0075] With regard to industry “disintermediation,” once OnlineRecordBiz.com signs a particular artist to a recording contract, the company then makes that signed artist's music available for purchase in all reasonable formats, including digital, compact disk, and cassette tape, directly within the company web site 25. Considering that consumers (potential music buyers) already traffic the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25, it makes sense for the consumer to purchase the signed artist's music directly through the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25 and not a traditional third party retailer. As consumer acceptance of the new digital distribution systems pick up, OnlineRecordBiz.com completely eliminates the need for a distributor and retailer, greatly increasing the revenue of OnlineRecordBiz.com as well as its artist.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a system 120 that depicts an implementation of the method 20 for the online record business. In general, the system uses servers, networks, computer terminals and other conventional systems, subsystems and components that are known in the art which are necessary for Internet communication.

[0077] In particular, the system comprises a plurality of consuming public and unsigned artist terminals 122 for interaction with the Internet 124. OnlineRecordBiz.com's web site 25, as will be discussed in detail, is available via the Internet 124. The web site 25 communicates with, and maintains, a plurality of relational databases, namely, an artist database 126, a music database 128, an e-commerce database 130 and an end-user database 132. These databases are used to enhance the user experience at the web site 25 and to provide OnlineRecordBiz.com with valuable information for marketing and sales activities. Content databases 134 make content available for download, CD purchase, web site ranking and cataloging and are updated as artists and users interact with the web site 25. Statistics databases 136 maintain traffic and site analysis information including the number of times that web pages were viewed, download counts and artist/song rankings. The end-user database 132 and e-commerce database 130, which are firewalled for protection, contain customer information and transaction histories.

[0078] As mentioned previously, each participating artist has his/her artist profile 138 within the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25 as supported by, among other things, the artist database 126 and the music database 128. It should be understood that the artist database 126 and the music database 128 encompass the unsigned artist database 28 mentioned earlier.

[0079] Finally, other links 140 (e.g., ticketing agencies) are also available via the Internet 124 as part of the system 120.

[0080] The technology infrastructure is based on architecture designed to be secure, reliable and expandable. Software used in the system 120 is a combination of proprietary applications, third party database software, and open operating systems that support acquisition of content, management of that content, publication of the web site 25, downloads of music and media files, registration and tracking of users, reporting of information for both internal and external use.

[0081] The infrastructure is designed to allow each component to be independently scaled, usually by purchasing additional readily-available hardware and software components, to meet or exceed future capacity requirements.

[0082] All servers, networks and systems are monitored on a continuous basis. Numerous levels of firewall systems are implemented to protect the databases, electronic commerce servers, customer information and music archive. Backups of all databases, data and media files are performed on a daily basis. Data back-up takes are archived at a remote location on a weekly basis.

[0083] The OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25 can support new technology formats and standards, including a variety of leading audio compression formats. Music in offered in both the mp3 and RealAudio formats, as well as in the still popular CD format.

[0084] The web site 25 incorporates the latest technologies, featuring the use of Macromedia's Flash 4 and Shockwave to make the web site 25 one of the most exciting and creative destinations on the web. Moreover, the site offers four to five languages other than English.

[0085] The OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25 is discussed in further detail below. It should be understood that although record industry terminology and symbology are shown in FIGS. 5-7, it is within the broadest scope of this application to include other industry/business terminology and symbology, e.g., the modeling industry and story-scripting business, in each of those figures; thus, as a result, FIGS. 5-7 are exemplary only in that other industries/businesses may modify the language and icons of FIGS. 5-7 to meet their respective terminologies and symbologies.

[0086] As mentioned previously, a 15-second powerful introduction greets the user to the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25, introducing the company through a powerful flash presentation incorporating text, graphics, and music (see www.balthaser.com for a similar experience). Upon completion of the introduction, the OnlineRecordBiz.com home page (FIG. 5) is loaded along with the Investment Game Toolbar pop-up window (FIG. 7). The home page (FIG. 5) links the user to five optional sections: (1) the OnlineRecordBiz.com Talent Pool, (2) Top Artists, (3) the OnlineRecordBiz.com Brand Store, (4) OnlineRecordBiz.com Artists (4) the Investment Game Overview, and (5) the OnlineRecordBiz.com Community Center (OnlineRecordBiz.com Lounge). Each option is presented through an image map showing partial graphics of each individual station compiled into one circular graphic (see www.millerbrewing.com as a reference). A navigation bar is displayed along the top window margin of the OnlineRecordBiz.com home page. The user can find links to the several important OnlineRecordBiz.com sections and services. Among those sections included on the toolbar are: Login/Register, Talent Pool, Top Artists, Store, OnlineRecordBiz.com Artists, Game Overview, Community, DJ, Prizes, and Leaders. A real time ticker showing the updated artist price quotes of that particular user's portfolio sits along the bottom margin of the OnlineRecordBiz.com home page. The ticker resembles those tickers found on non-fantasy investment sites. The user can click on a particular ticker symbol to view a description of the artist.

[0087] The OnlineRecordBiz.com Talent Pool: The talent pool is the unsigned artist section of the OnlineRecordBiz.com site. As mentioned earlier, users can view profiles 138 (FIG. 6) of artists contained within the extensive pool of unsigned artists that appear on the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25. Each profile 138 contains important information about the artist. In the upper left corner of the profile window is a picture of the artist. To the right and below the picture is the artist's name, songs available for sampling and download, a brief description, and other relevant information. Below the artist's description is an interactive weekly survey (e.g. generating opinion polls), a link to that artist's individual newsgroup (e.g., for disseminating information about the artists and the consuming public input), and a button allowing users to “join this band's e-mail list” (e.g., using e-mail listserves).

[0088] Top Artist Stocks: The music artist stocks offered section of the site links the user to a list of all of those artists available for ranking on the Investment Game (music artists that can be traded in the game) and their current stock price. The artists are categorized into nine categories: (1) hip hop, (2) R&B, (3) jazz, (4) classical, (5) new age, (6) pop, (7) alternative, (8) rock/pop, and (9) country. Each band name listed is linked to that artist's profile.

[0089] The OnlineRecordBiz.com Records Store: In the OnlineRecordBiz.com Records store users can purchase OnlineRecordBiz.com music and brand-name merchandise. Among the merchandise offered is OnlineRecordBiz.com signed artists' downloadable digital and deliverable CD and cassette tape music, OnlineRecordBiz.com T-shirts, Polo shirts, hats, sweatshirts, mugs, distinctive shot glasses, books, lighters, can openers, pitchers, mouse pads, and others.

[0090] OnlineRecordBiz.com Signed Artists: In the OnlineRecordBiz.com Signed Artist sections users find information on the signed OnlineRecordBiz.com artists. Each artist has his/her own web site within the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25 that features information on the artist, including profile information, concert information, discographies, online videos, and other relevant information. As more artists are signed, this section grows to be an invaluable marketing tool for OnlineRecordBiz.com.

[0091] The Game Overview: The Game Overview is the “how to play” section of the OnlineRecordBiz.com web site 25. The interactive teaching instrument educates the user through a logical progression of flowing page interactions, as well as contains specific links to other help sections. One example of a similar instructional resource can be found at Miller Brewing Company's web site at www.millerbrewing.com/a_lite_section/index.asp (see Pilsner Beer Story) and the Esignal web site at www.esignal.com/flash_demo.htm.

[0092] The OnlineRecordBiz.com Community Center (The OnlineRecordBiz.com Lounge): The OnlineRecordBiz.com Community Center offers many of those options found on a standard music community web site such as Billboard Online and Rolling Stone Online. Among those options are live concerts, chat sessions, daily news, newsgroups, and email. In addition to those common features, OnlineRecordBiz.com offers the OnlineRecordBiz.com leader board, OnlineRecordBiz.com postcards, OnlineRecordBiz.com member web pages, and OnlineRecordBiz.com interactive games.

[0093] The OnlineRecordBiz.com Power Toolbar (FIG. 7) is an individual pop-up window that acts as OnlineRecordBiz.com Record's consumer feedback portion of the web site 25. Within this section, all artists involved in the interactive investment simulation game 30 are listed along with the user's buy/sell tools and other necessary features.

[0094] At the top of the window is the OnlineRecordBiz.com game logo. Below the OnlineRecordBiz.com logo is a scrollable ranking of the artists in the OnlineRecordBiz.com game. Each name contains a hyperlink to each artist's profile 138. The top five artists are visible at window launch, but all others can be reached through the scrollbar.

[0095] Below the OnlineRecordBiz.com artist list is the user's investment toolbar. With the toolbar, the user can utilize three features: (1) enter a quick search of a particular artist's name or ticker symbol, (2) buy or sell a particular quantity of shares, and (3) see his/her current revenue and portfolio. Each individual feature links to a new window. The quick search feature links to a full description of the particular searched artist. The buying and selling tools link to a confirmation screen that finalizes the trade. When the user clicks on the portfolio link, he/she can view his/her current artist stocks, balance, and other relevant information. Below the portfolio is a description of each prize the user can win if he/she attains a certain amount of money. Below the OnlineRecordBiz.com Investment Toolbar the user can download a desktop version of the Investment Challenge and link back to the OnlineRecordBiz.com home page (FIG. 5).

[0096] Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.