The SIMSEG project. A simulation environment for market segmentation and positioning strategies.

A simulation environment for exploring analytical tools and joint segmentation and brand positioning strategies is tailored to comply with the perceptions-based approach to market segmentation. The initial version contains a number of ad hoc segmentation strategies. It also indicates how the strategy agents in a more fully elaborated version may autonomously decide on their selection of target segments and brand profiles. With a reasonably sized parameter set the SIMSEG brands are subject to perceptual dynamics that respect the basic principles of attribute learning through advertising and promotion. SIMSEG is conceived for interfacing with an Artificial Factory simulation background where the consumers' fuzzy perceptions of rivaling brands are translated into physical or functional characteristics.