The system also allows for sophisticated tracking of end user product interest.

Irwin J. Hipsman, sales executive for the company, explained that unlike live Web presentations that can involve almost an hour of a producer's undivided attention, Brainshark allows marketers to produce short product information pieces through PowerPoint.

The insurer or broker can add to the presentation with a voiceover through a phone call after loading the PowerPoint presentation to the Brainshark site.

These presentations, that can run up to 10 minutes, allow marketing representatives to deliver their presentations to interested parties utilizing conventional Web technology and media players.

With an e-mail to the broker, marketing representatives can alert them to the presentation. Brokers can then look at the presentation whenever they wish, anywhere they have a link to the Internet. He or she can then pass the presentation on to others for their viewing.

The broker who is passing the presentation onto other producers, if they desire to, can personalize the opening introduction to the material, Mr. Hipsman said.

Carriers also get immediate feedback on product interest with tracking reports that can tell them how many producers viewed the presentation and for how long. In some cases, carriers can also know who viewed the presentation, allowing marketing people to make follow-up calls to producers who fill out attached requests for information.

For carrier clients, the service runs $15,000 for a one-year license and an additional cost for viewing blocks. Most carriers, he said, purchase 25,000 viewing blocks, which can run anywhere from 50 cents to $1.50 per individual view. He noted that most viewing is done within the first five-to-seven days of release.

"An insurer will know quickly if anyone is paying attention to their product," noted Mr. Hipsman.

The technology is designed for those who are not technology savvy. After creating the PowerPoint presentation, downloading it, and picking up the phone to Brainshark and leaving the voiceover, the rest is delivered by Brainshark.

The company has come up with a less costly version that brokers can use for their internal marketing that runs around $5,000.

The five-year-old company has been busy establishing itself in the life field, but Mr. Hipsman said the company hopes to begin offering its product to the p-c sector some time this year.

He added that its product is not reserved exclusively for the life business. It is offered to other businesses already, such as publishing, and is open to inquiries. The company also offers training and consulting services.

Additional information is available at www.brainshark.com.