The end of the golden ratio in planning marketing investment
Viewpoint November 2019
The end of the golden ratio in planning marketing investment
Using econometrics to shape marketing investment
Introduction
The rise of digital platforms and channels has led to a fundamental shift in how brands should allocate their marketing budgets. In today’s Ecosystem, there are more links in the media supply chain than ever, and more ways for brands to interact with customers. The established norm of using golden ratios – such as the often used 80/20 rule for working and non-working media allocation – has had its day. Instead, advertisers now have all of the tools available to build their marketing plans from the ground up, based on overarching business objectives, using data and evidence to guide investment decisions. As a result, brands should now move beyond simplistic approaches to budget allocation, the most common being fixed ratio targets for working versus non-working media.
Head of International Effectiveness
Mike leads Ebiquity’s International Effectiveness Practice, helping brands to optimise marketing investments across multiple markets. He is based in our London office. Prior to joining Ebiquity, he spent 12 years as MD of Ninah Consulting’s London office and global head of its FMCG Centre of Excellence, working with Nestlé, Diageo, and General Mills.
What it covers
In this viewpoint paper, we explore why it is now time for brands to rethink the use of golden ratios. Instead, brands should leverage new approaches– such as brand equity modelling – that draw on data and analytics to inform better marketing investment decisions.
The journey for building marketing budgets should now begin with overall business objectives.