Presentation instrument insert systems and methods

1 . A method of providing a postcard presentation instrument for use in a transaction, comprising:

applying an information storage medium to a postcard to create a postcard presentation instrument;

delivering the postcard presentation instrument to a destination via a distribution system; and

settling a transaction involving the postcard presentation instrument.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postcard presentation instrument is matched with a primary component.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the primary component comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a magazine, a circular, a book, a newspaper, a value pack mailer, a periodical, a newsletter, a journal, and a mass mailer.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postcard presentation instrument comprises a fold-over postcard presentation instrument.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postcard presentation instrument is placed between two pages of a magazine.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postcard presentation instrument is affixed with a page of a magazine.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postcard presentation instrument is inserted into a value pack mailer.

8 . A method of providing a presentation instrument for use in a transaction, comprising:

matching the presentation instrument with a primary component;

delivering the matched presentation instrument and primary component to a destination via a distribution system; and

settling a transaction involving the presentation instrument.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the primary component comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a postcard, a magazine, a circular, a book, a newspaper, a value pack mailer, a periodical, a newsletter, a journal, and a mass mailer.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the primary component comprises a postcard, and the presentation instrument is attached with the postcard via a perforation.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the postcard comprises a fold-over postcard.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the primary component comprises a magazine, and the presentation instrument is placed between two pages of the magazine.

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the primary component comprises a magazine, and the presentation instrument is affixed with a page of the magazine.

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the primary component comprises a value pack mailer.

15 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the distribution system comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a public postal system, a private postal system, and a courier service.

16 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the destination comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a newsstand location, a retail outlet location, a transportation system location, a sidewalk location, a post office box, a residential mailbox, a personal residence address, and a business address.

17 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the presentation instrument comprises a paper card stock material.

18 . A system for providing a postcard presentation instrument for use in a transaction, comprising:

a processing system for applying an information storage medium to a postcard to create a postcard presentation instrument; and

a host computer system that receives a request to activate the postcard presentation instrument.

19 . The system of claim 18 , further comprising a distribution system that delivers the postcard presentation instrument from the processing system to a destination.

20 . The system of claim 18 , further comprising a settlement means that settles a transaction involving the postcard presentation instrument.

21 . A presentation instrument assembly, comprising:

a primary component; and

a postcard presentation instrument removably matched with the primary component, the postcard presentation instrument having an information storage medium;

wherein the primary component comprises a magazine or a book.

22 . A method for providing a presentation instrument for use in a transaction, comprising:

associating a unique identifier with a user account;

transmitting the unique identifier to a user computer via an electronic communication means, wherein the unique identifier is suitable for printing as a detectable symbol onto a presentation instrument;

reading the symbol to recognize the unique identifier;

settling a transaction involving the presentation instrument based on the unique identifier.