Structural equation modelling of determinants of consumer-based brand equity of newspapers

In an increasingly competitive media market, branding is a potent tool in the hands of media firms. Though significant developments have taken place in the realm of practice, there is sparse research in the academic domain on consumer-based brand performance drivers in the media industry. The objective of this article is to establish the variables that affect the customer-based brand equity (CBBE) of newspaper brands. A survey of local newspapers was undertaken, among consumers in India, to establish a brand equity model for newspapers, based on Aaker’s CBBE theory. Data were collected through survey, and factor analysis of the data indicated that localisation, ideology, credibility, and entertainment are the variables that influence CBBE. Subsequently, structural equation modelling revealed that all the variables had positive impact on brand equity. For marketers of newspapers, this study identifies the factors that they need to focus on if they want to garner the equity of the brand. For the first time, a model is being proposed to predict the CBBE of newspapers, and this can be the basis for further research into whether this model is feasible for other media products as well.