ESL Podcast 540 - Promoting a New Product
to put the final touches on (something) - to do the last, minor things needed to finish a project; to complete the last steps
We're just putting the final touches on the report, and we'll have it finished in less than an hour.
line - a group of related products that are sold by one company
This company is famous for its line of inexpensive women's jewelry.
to branch out - to expand into different areas or fields; to grow
The soccer club used to be only for adults, but now it's branching out into children's programs.
to promote - to say good things about a product or service to try to generate interest and make other people want to have or to buy it
Many companies are starting to promote their products on Twitter.
advertising agency - a company that specializes in helping companies get people interested in buying those companies' products and services
They're looking for an advertising agency that specializes in cars and trucks.
to sponsor - to provide money for an event or program and receive opportunities to advertise one's company or products at that event or in that program
Companies that sponsor the high school football team get to put their advertisements on the stadium walls.
ad - advertisement; a short video or printed image and text that provides information about a product or service and where one can buy it
I saw a TV ad for pizza, and it made me really hungry!
to go that route - to do a particular thing; to take a specific direction with one's actions
We talked about getting married, but we decided we're not ready to go that route quite yet. Maybe we will in a year or two.
trade show - a large event attended by representatives of many companies in one industry, where they display their products and services and try to find new customers
This weekend, there's a dentists' trade show at the fairgrounds, where companies will be showing their dental tools, chairs, medications, and more.
product placement - the practice of having a particular company's product photographed or filmed in a movie, TV show, or news story so that viewers or readers will see it and subconsciously (without being aware of something) want to have or buy it
How much does a company have to pay for product placement in a major Hollywood movie?
tie-in - a connection between two or more things, especially to market or promote a product by relating it to a movie or TV show
Their sales more than doubled once they started using a tie-in to a popular TV show.
endorsement - a statement, usually from a famous person, about how good a product or service is and how much it has helped him or her; testimonial
Are you more likely to buy a beauty product if it has an endorsement from a well-known actress?
deal - an official agreement to do something; a contract
The company made a deal with Kirsten: it would pay her 10% of the sales price for the first 2,500 units she sold, and 15% of the sales price for each unit beyond that.
on board - in agreement; agreeing to and participating in something
Kaza plans to travel for one year between high school and college, but he still needs to get his parents on board with that idea.
to plug - to promote; to endorse; to say that one thinks a certain product is very good or beneficial and encourage other people to use or buy it
Do you think it's acceptable for teachers to plug products in their classroom?
through the roof - with a high amount of something; going up very quickly
After he broke his leg and wasn't able to exercise anymore, his weight went through the roof.
to shoot too high - to try to do something that is too difficult or too advanced
The program was designed to help 50,000 poor families, but the leaders were shooting too high. They were actually able to help only 30,000 families.
to settle for - to accept something other than one's first choice; to be satisfied with one option, even though it isn't the best one
The Hardwicks wanted to buy a large home on the coast, but they settled for a small two-bedroom home instead.