Advertising and promotional services provided to merchants, namely, promoting the goods and services of merchants through the distribution of advertising and information to consumers by means of a global information network; providing a web site at which direct and interactive information is distributed pertaining to the promotional distribution or sale of products by others or the promotional provision of benefits and services by others; dissemination of promotional and advertising materials for merchants via a global information network; dissemination of promotional and advertising information related to the products and services of others