a system and method for allowing content providers to manage aspects of a distributor &# 39 ; s digital workflow is disclosed . the system is effective to receive priority flags and associate the flags with items submitted by the content provider making the priority designation . those items flagged for priority can be queued for priority processing . the total number of priority flags or requests can be limited by the rate at which items can be processed . the limited nature of the priority requests can make the priority flags valuable . the system and method can leverage that value to encourage desired conduct by awarding priority flags to content providers that comply with a stated policy .