Media Mix Optimization - Applying a Quadratic Knapsack Model

Abstract

In this contribution we present an optimization model for deciding on the best selection of advertising media to be used in a promotional campaign. The effect of each single medium and each pair of media is estimated from the evaluation data of past campaigns taking into account a similarity measure between the attributes and goals of campaigns. The resulting discrete optimization model is a Quadratic Knapsack Problem which we solve by a genetic algorithm. Then campaign budget is assigned to each selected advertising medium based on a statistical estimation from previous campaigns. Our optimization tool is integrated in the marketing management software solution MARMIND.