Diagnostic or predictive? Methods for copy-testing

Addresses the practical issues of designing and carrying out effective copy tests. Discusses the two alternative strategies: maximisation (to heighten response to full potential, focus on diagnostics) and minimisation (to reduce risk of producing a failed ad, focus on prediction of effect).

Diagnostic or predictive? Methods for copy-testing

Mike Hall

STRUCTURE AND SYNOPSIS

This paper addresses in detail the practical issues of designing and carrying out effective copy-tests1. It is sister to the theoretical paper Maximisation and Minimisation: Strategies for copy-testing given at the Admap conference of 20 January 1998.

It is apparent that Account Planners in UK ad agencies know little about copy-testing: rather like people used to say of Guinness, 'I know I don't like it which is why I've never tried it!'. But this is scant preparation for the moment when a methodology...

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