S-shaped Response Model — Sales Response Function


S-shaped Response Model - Sales Response Function — Marketing mix Modelling

Exhibit 35.2-4   S-shaped Response Model.

The S-shaped response function exhibits increasing returns to scale at low levels and diminishing returns at high levels of marketing effort. This is particularly plausible for advertising, where low levels get drowned by the noise, while very high levels may reach a saturation point.

The S-shape response function is also used for modelling the effect of shelf space on sales in store. The S-shape captures the notions of threshold and saturation. Below the threshold, marketing effort has no impact on sales, and above saturation, there is no further increase in sales. Within these threshold and saturation bounds, consumers become less responsive to the marketing stimuli.

The S-shaped response model has implications for how advertising should be planned and executed. If the response truly reflects the relationship between advertising and sales, it suggests different strategies for flighting advertising campaigns. An advertising burst involves a concentrated and heavy dose of advertising over a short period, designed to surpass the threshold levels. On the other hand, drip or continuous advertising involves lighter and consistent advertising spread over a longer duration. If a threshold exists, marketers should consider using less drip advertising unless it exceeds the threshold, and instead focus more on burst or pulse advertising — a strategy that alternates between periods of advertising and non-advertising over weeks or months.

While conceptually appealing, there is not much empirical evidence to support the existence of an S-shape response to advertising effort. It is hard to prove or disprove considering that historical data tends to lie well within these theoretical upper and lower bounds.

The logistic model takes a functional form that conforms to the S-shape:

$$ln \left( \frac{S-S_0}{S^0-S}\right)=α+βln(X), \,where \,0 \le S_0 \le S^0 $$

Where S is sales, the dependent variable, X is the independent variable representing the marketing effort for the marketing mix element, S0 is the intercept and the threshold level, and S0 is the saturation level.

The elasticity of demand, for a variable with an S-shaped response with sales, follows an inverted bell-shape, starting at 0 at threshold level to a maximum, and back to 0 at the saturation level.

A related but rare phenomenon is the notion of supersaturation. It refers to the excessive use of a marketing instrument, such as advertising, that theoretically may repulse consumers, creating a negative response to sales. It is rarely witnessed because marketers’ budgets are usually constrained; they operate below saturation levels and well below supersaturation levels. The supersaturation effect can be represented by the quadratic model:

$$S=α+β_1X-β_2X^2$$

Previous     Next

Use the Search Bar to find content on MarketingMind.







Marketing Analytics Workshop

Marketing Analytics Workshop

In an analytics-driven business environment, this analytics-centred consumer marketing workshop is tailored to the needs of consumer analysts, marketing researchers, brand managers, category managers and seasoned marketing and retailing professionals.


Digital Marketing Workshop

Digital Marketing Workshop

Unlock the Power of Digital Marketing: Join us for an immersive online experience designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic world of digital marketing. In just three days, you will transform into a proficient digital marketer, equipped to craft and implement successful online strategies.


Market Mix Modelling - Solutions

Market Mix Modelling - Solutions

Solutions for market mix modelling.