The inventory management of items, such as banner ads to be displayed on web sites, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method constructs a number of item slot groups and a number of meta item slot groups. Each item slot group has a number of item slots. Each meta group encompasses one or more item slot groups, and has a number of item slots equal to the total number of item slots of its constituent groups. The method allocates each of a number of items of a first type over the item slots of the meta groups that are unfilled, by matching characteristics of the item to characteristics of the meta groups. The method also allocates each of a number of items of a second type over both the item slots of the meta groups as well as the groups that are unfilled, again by matching characteristics of the item to characteristics of the groups.
An online trading system for conducting an advertiser initiated auction for the placement of an advertisement in a media, such as printed publications, billboards, radio, television, videos, network portals, web pages, and the like. An online session is conducted with the advertiser to form an auction ticket that specifies the price the advertiser is willing to pay for the advertisement. Also specified are dates the advertisement is to run, color preference, placement on a page or within the printed publication, and a list of media outlets from whom the advertiser wants to solicit bids. The media outlets are notified of the auction and given the auction ticket. Bids are submitted by specifying the amount of advertising space the media outlet is willing to allot for the specified price.
