Which option lists the main stages of a standard media planning process?

• A. Market Research, Product Development, Pricing, Distribution, Promotion.
• B. Situation Analysis, Objective Setting, Audience/Insights, Channel Strategy, Budget and Schedule, Creative Alignment, Media Mix Optimization, Media Execution, Measurement and Optimization.
• C. Creative Brief, Storyboard, Asset Production, Testing, Launch.
• D. Data Collection, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Conclusion.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is the structured flow of planning a media plan, moving from understanding context to measuring and refining results. The sequence that fits a standard media planning process starts with Situation Analysis to grasp the market and competitive landscape, then moves to Objective Setting to define what success looks like. It continues with Audience/Insights to identify who to reach and what matters to them, followed by Channel Strategy to pick the right media avenues. Budget and Schedule establish how funds and timing align with goals, and Creative Alignment ensures the messaging fits the chosen media. Media Mix Optimization balances channels for impact and efficiency, then Media Execution puts the plan into action, with Measurement and Optimization closing the loop to assess performance and make data-driven adjustments.

Other options describe different workflows that aren’t specific to the media planning process. The first option reflects general marketing mix elements rather than how media is planned and executed. The third option outlines the creative development process, not how media is planned or measured. The fourth option mirrors a scientific or data-analysis workflow rather than a structured media planning sequence.