TR
EN
EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION
Abstract
This paper extends the infection model in meme communication by integrating a word-of-mouth inflection model with an advertising memory effect model to depict meme virality and assess the impact of meme-style advertising. In the developed Internet era, meme-based advertising presents an economical and efficient strategy to enhance advertising effectiveness and foster immediate customer engagement due to its user-generated content nature.
Two distinct models are proposed, differing in their consideration of the meme spread rate: a one-step model assuming an exponentially distributed spread rate, and a two-step model incorporating a 'change point' for varying spread speeds across dissemination stages. Empirical data from a Taiwanese meme database and survey responses from 1248 subjects. Model validation showed a good fit between predictions and real-world data. This research successfully quantifies the memetic phenomenon, providing a predictive model for meme spread rates and advertising effects, offering marketing managers a valuable tool for strategic decision-making and contributing to future quantification studies of memes.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
The author would like to thank the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan (NSTC 114-2410-H-030-016 -SSS) for supporting this research.
Ethical Statement
It is declared that scientific and ethical principles have been followed while carrying out and writing this study, and that all the sources used have been properly cited. Since this study does not involve human participants, animals, or sensitive personal data, ethics committee approval was not required.
References
- Brodie, R. J., Whittome, J. R., & Brush, G. J. (2009). Investigating the service brand: A customer value perspective. Journal of Business Research, 62(3), 345–355.
- Brubaker, P. J., Church, S. H., Hansen, J., Pelham, S., & Ostler, A. (2018). One does not simply meme about organisations: Exploring the content creation strategies of user-generated memes on Imgur. Public Relations Review, 44(5), 741–751.
- Chua, Y. T., & Soriano, J. C. (2020). Electoral disinformation: Looking through the lens of Tsek.ph fact checks. Plaridel: A Philippine Journal of Communication, Media, and Society, 17(1), 279–289.
- Dawkins, R. (1976). The selfish gene. Oxford University Press.
- Huang, H. H. (2016). The infection effect of word of mouth in customer purchase behaviour. Wulfenia, 23(1), 500–509.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Communication and Media Studies (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
September 30, 2026
Submission Date
June 24, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 2, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 3
APA
Huang, H.-H. (2026). EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi, 10(3), 546-571. https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE
AMA
1.Huang HH. EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi. 2026;10(3):546-571. https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE
Chicago
Huang, Hui-Hsin. 2026. “EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION”. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi 10 (3): 546-71. https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE.
EndNote
Huang H-H (September 1, 2026) EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi 10 3 546–571.
IEEE
[1]H.-H. Huang, “EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION”, Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 546–571, Sept. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE
ISNAD
Huang, Hui-Hsin. “EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION”. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi 10/3 (September 1, 2026): 546-571. https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE.
JAMA
1.Huang H-H. EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi. 2026;10:546–571.
MLA
Huang, Hui-Hsin. “EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION”. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi, vol. 10, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 546-71, https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE.
Vancouver
1.Hui-Hsin Huang. EXTENDING THE INFECTION MODEL IN MEME COMMUNICATION. Yeni Medya Elektronik Dergisi [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 1;10(3):546-71. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA44MX57ZE