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A Viral Branching Model for Predicting the Spread of Electronic Word of Mouth

Author

Listed:
  • Ralf van der Lans

    (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Gerrit van Bruggen

    (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Jehoshua Eliashberg

    (The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104)

  • Berend Wierenga

    (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

In a viral marketing campaign, an organization develops a marketing message and encourages customers to forward this message to their contacts. Despite its increasing popularity, there are no models yet that help marketers to predict how many customers a viral marketing campaign will reach and how marketers can influence this process through marketing activities. This paper develops such a model using the theory of branching processes. The proposed viral branching model allows customers to participate in a viral marketing campaign by (1) opening a seeding e-mail from the organization, (2) opening a viral e-mail from a friend, and (3) responding to other marketing activities such as banners and offline advertising. The model parameters are estimated using individual-level data that become available in large quantities in the early stages of viral marketing campaigns. The viral branching model is applied to an actual viral marketing campaign in which over 200,000 customers participated during a six-week period. The results show that the model quickly predicts the actual reach of the campaign. In addition, the model proves to be a valuable tool to evaluate alternative what-if scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralf van der Lans & Gerrit van Bruggen & Jehoshua Eliashberg & Berend Wierenga, 2010. "A Viral Branching Model for Predicting the Spread of Electronic Word of Mouth," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(2), pages 348-365, 03-04.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormksc:v:29:y:2010:i:2:p:348-365
    DOI: 10.1287/mksc.1090.0520
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    References listed on IDEAS

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