New Feature: Gross-based mode with discount

Release date: ETA May 2nd, 2025

A key benefit of media planning software is the ability to manage the media insertion costs.

MediaPlanHQ always provided cost management for gross-based costs using the commission and client cost.

For example, if the vendor sells at $3000 gross at a 15% discount, then you'd get a $450 discount and  you'd pay $2550 to your vendor, while your client would pay you $3000:

This structure works fine for simple use-cases where the vendor discount rate (15%) is the same as the client commission rate (15%).

But, you lose the vendor gross cost and vendor discount rate/cost information as soon as the discount and the commission differ! 

For example, when you want a 25% client commission:

The vendor cost of $2,550 is still accurate, but you have to do mental maths to compute the vendor gross cost ($3,000) with a 15% discount of $450. 

With this release, the system separates the gross cost and discount rate/cost from the commission rate/cost and client cost when using the gross-based mode to keep all cost information in the media insertion.

Let's see how it works...

Existing users: If you are using gross-based costs in media insertions, the discount rate/cost was introduced using the commission rate/cost, and the gross cost was introduced by adding the net cost + discount cost. This ensures you have the exact same behaviour as before.

Improving cost mode behaviours

Before diving into the specific gross-based mode changes, let's first take a moment to understand the generic improvements in the media insertion form dates and costs sections.

First, the cost information in the dates section is now clearer:

• Selecting the Gross-based mode (Bullet #1) dictates that all cost information are GROSS, including the unit cost and the total cost (Bullet #2):

• And, selecting the Net-based mode, all cost information are NET, including the unit cost and total cost:

Second, the behaviour between the dates section and the cost details section is also clearer.

• When in Gross-based mode, the Gross cost of all lines in the dates section are added to the Gross cost of the cost details section (Bullet #1). All other costs are computed from the Gross cost (Bullet #2). 

• When in Net-based mode, the Net cost of all lines in the dates section are added to the Net cost of the cost details section (Bullet #1).  All other costs are computed from the Net cost (Bullet #2). 

Separating discount and commission

As you probably already noticed above, when the media insertion form is in Gross-based mode, the cost details section now allows you to see the gross cost (Bullet #1) and define the discount rate/cost (Bullet #2):

The Discount cost (Bullet #4) is computed by multiplying the Gross cost (Bullet #1) by the Discount rate (Bullet #3).

3,000.00$ x 15% = 450.00$

The Net cost (Bullet #5) is computed by subtracting the Discount cost (Bullet #4) from the Gross cost (Bullet #1):

3,000.00$ - 450.00$ = 2,550.00$

You can change the discount rate, which will recompute the discount cost. Or, you can change the discount cost, which will recompute the discount rate. 

In both changes, the gross cost is fixed and does not change.

Finally, you can have a discount (Bullet #1) different from the commission (Bullet #2) and keep all cost information:

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That's it !  We hope you'll enjoy the Gross-based mode with discount feature. 

Give it a try, and let us know what you think !

As always, don't hesitate to send us your great feedback or other ideas for new features !

Have a great day,

The MediaPlanHQ team