a: how could we advertise our celebrations to mark the centenary of the founding of the university?
B; I’m sure we could get one or two tv companies to come in. perhaps the president could invite them and do an interview.
A: that’s a good idea. We could put up some posters in and around the campus with a list of events. It would be quite cheap to do on the campus.
B: it will be expensive to do outside the campus. Perhaps we could arrange for some sponsorship.
A: we could contact alumni who work for large, well-know companies. They might be able to arrange cheap advertising¹ in exchange for some free tickets.
B; good thinking! We should also print some leaflets² for students to distribute.
A: we should put some information about it on the home page of our university website. When people visit the website, they’ll see the information.
B: we could take out some advertisements to local newspapers. I checked the prices and they are reasonable.
A; ok. Let’s get to work on our advertising campaign.

Intermediate³
A: there are advertisements everywhere here in hong kong. The city is so bright at night, with all the neon signs.
B: I like it. It makes the city feel alive. I like all the different colors and I like the billboards⁴ with eye-catching pictures and slogans.
A; I think that there are too many of them. I think that companies spend far too much money on advertising. They should have lower prices instead. Then they would see more.
B; I see your point, but if companies didn’t spend money on advertising, no one would hear about their products. I agree that some form of advertising can be annoying. I don’t like it when people try to give you leaflets with information about products you have no intention of buying.
A; I really hate receiving spam. I also dislike having to listen to advertisements and jingles⁵ when they are broadcast in stores or on the subway.
B; yes, that annoys me too. With billboards, you can look away, but with broadcasts, you can’t avoid them. I like the way that advertising agencies use comedy in their campaign.
A; I like that too. I don’t like the way that advertising campaign often tell you if you don’t buy a certain product, you’re not cool or modern or efficient or something.
B: that kind of advertising seems to be very common with brand name products. They are always trying to maintain brand loyalty⁶.

words
classifieds personals poster promotion billboard leaflet publicity
jingle logo slogan media hype market target special spam