Overview
Precision Plan Comparison is an internal application developed to support A+E Networks’ Precision sales team by enabling robust, data-driven comparisons between historical and proposed audience-based advertising campaigns. The tool is specifically tailored for precision and advanced targeting initiatives across all six A+E networks. It provides a seamless workflow to compare prior client investments against new plans, helping sellers justify pricing, forecast performance, and close deals with confidence.
Purpose
Precision advertising campaigns require thoughtful benchmarking and strategic adjustments based on past performance, shifting market dynamics, and evolving client goals. Prior to this tool, the planning and comparison process was fragmented, requiring manual Excel work and cross-referencing multiple systems. Precision Plan Comparison centralizes that logic, automates key steps, and offers a structured way to present and approve client-facing campaign proposals.
Core Features
✅ Plan Matching via External ID
Users begin by selecting a current proposal plan using an external ID that links deals across all six A+E networks. This ensures that every deal associated with the campaign is properly grouped and traceable for the comparison.
🔁 Historical Plan Selection
Users can choose to compare the current plan against a prior quarter or year. This past plan is pulled from internal systems and displayed alongside the new proposal to assess changes in volume, pricing, and delivery.
📊 Comparative Metrics OutputThe system displays key side-by-side metrics:
📈 Market Trend Inputs
The user can optionally input anticipated market changes--such as expected CPM increases, changes in target audience volume, or gap-fill estimates--to contextualize the comparison. These inputs allow for a more nuanced pricing strategy.
📥 Plan Submission & Approval Workflow
Once the comparison is validated:
🗂️ Caching and Drafting
To reduce rework and support scenario modeling, all selections and comparisons are temporarily cached. Users can adjust inputs multiple times without starting over.
Business Impact
Precision Plan Comparison significantly improves the speed and quality of campaign planning:
Technology Stack
Precision Plan Comparison is an internal application developed to support A+E Networks’ Precision sales team by enabling robust, data-driven comparisons between historical and proposed audience-based advertising campaigns. The tool is specifically tailored for precision and advanced targeting initiatives across all six A+E networks. It provides a seamless workflow to compare prior client investments against new plans, helping sellers justify pricing, forecast performance, and close deals with confidence.
Purpose
Precision advertising campaigns require thoughtful benchmarking and strategic adjustments based on past performance, shifting market dynamics, and evolving client goals. Prior to this tool, the planning and comparison process was fragmented, requiring manual Excel work and cross-referencing multiple systems. Precision Plan Comparison centralizes that logic, automates key steps, and offers a structured way to present and approve client-facing campaign proposals.
Core Features
✅ Plan Matching via External ID
Users begin by selecting a current proposal plan using an external ID that links deals across all six A+E networks. This ensures that every deal associated with the campaign is properly grouped and traceable for the comparison.
🔁 Historical Plan Selection
Users can choose to compare the current plan against a prior quarter or year. This past plan is pulled from internal systems and displayed alongside the new proposal to assess changes in volume, pricing, and delivery.
📊 Comparative Metrics OutputThe system displays key side-by-side metrics:
- CPM (Cost Per Mille)
- Total Spend
- Total Impressions
- % Change in Spend / CPM / Impressions
📈 Market Trend Inputs
The user can optionally input anticipated market changes--such as expected CPM increases, changes in target audience volume, or gap-fill estimates--to contextualize the comparison. These inputs allow for a more nuanced pricing strategy.
📥 Plan Submission & Approval Workflow
Once the comparison is validated:
- The plan is submitted directly to Revenue Management.
- If approved, the plan can be finalized and sent to the client.
- If rejected, the tool allows the user to revise and resubmit after incorporating RM feedback.
🗂️ Caching and Drafting
To reduce rework and support scenario modeling, all selections and comparisons are temporarily cached. Users can adjust inputs multiple times without starting over.
Business Impact
Precision Plan Comparison significantly improves the speed and quality of campaign planning:
- Efficiency Gains: Automates what used to be a manual, spreadsheet-driven process.
- Consistency: Ensures deal comparisons are based on structured, traceable data across all networks.
- Revenue Optimization: Supports strategic pricing aligned with historical spend patterns and current market conditions.
- Internal Alignment: Bridges Planning, Sales, and Revenue Management teams through one shared interface and workflow.
- Sales Enablement: Equips sellers with compelling, data-backed justifications for pricing changes or increases in spend.
Technology Stack
- Built within A+E’s proprietary Precision platform
- Integrates with internal deal management systems and network data warehouses
- Supports external ID-based matching logic across network portfolio
