MEDIA AND ADVERTISING is a common topic in IELTS. Here is a list of words that you need to know to get a good score.

1. to broadcast propaganda
Meaning: to send out a programme on television or radio that may be false or exagerrated in order to gain support for a political leader, a party etc
Example: The media in North Korea broadcast propaganda every day about the dangers of war with South Korea and the USA.

2. a leading article
Meaning: a piece of writing which deals with the most important news item of the day.
Example: Newspapers in my country often have a leading article on some sensational crime that has been committed.

3. editorial policy
Meaning: the policy of the newspaper, as decided by the person in charge of producing the newspaper
Example: The editorial policy of a newspaper determines whether serious news items are reported in a responsible way.

4. yellow journalism
Meaning: is a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers.
Example: Techniques used in yellow journalism may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering or sensationalism.

5. to carry a story
Meaning: to include an item in a news report
Example: The media nowadays carries too many stories about celebrities and trivia and not enough serious news.

6. news coverage
Meaning: the reporting of news and sport in newspapers, tv, or radio.
Example: The US presidential election received global news coverage, so that the whole world became interested in the outcome.

7. to make front page headlines
Meaning: to be an important item of news in the newspapers, on radio or TV.
Example: It seems that every insignificant event in the lives of celebrities makes front page headlines.

8. breaking news
Meaning: newly received information about an event that is currently taking place
Example: One disadvantage of the printed media is that it is unable to carry the latest breaking news stories.

9. up to the minute
Meaning: having the latest information
Example: Newspapers are unable to provide up to the minute news coverage of events as they happen

10. stale news
Meaning: information that is no longer interesting or new, because it has already been reported
Example: Newspapers have now become only a source of stale news, which is a major reason why they have become less popular.

11. falling circulation
Meaning: the decline in the number of copies of a newspaper sold each day
Example: As a result of their falling circulation, newspapers are losing advertising revenue.

12. celebrity endorsement
Meaning: A form of brand or advertising campaign that involves a well known person using their fame to help promote a product or service
Example: Celebrity endorsement by famous TV stars is commonly used by companies to encourage consumers to trust and buy their products

13. to subscribe to a magazine
Meaning: to pay money regularly in order to receive a copy of a magazine
Example: Those with a strong interest in a particular field sometimes prefer to subscribe to a magazine which has articles relating to that area.

14. the financial/business sections
Meaning: the economic area relating to money or how money is managed
Example: Newspapers have increasingly turned to providing expert, detailed analysis of recent events, for example in their financial or business sections.

15. online advertising
Meaning: advertising a product or service on the internet
Example: The growing popularity of online advertising has resulted in a loss of revenue for the printed media in general.

16. to slash the prices of products
Meaning: to reduce the price dramatically
Example: Supermarkets, for example, always carry huge in-store advertisements when they slash the prices of products

17. to be wary of something
Meaning: not completely trusting or certain about something
Example: Consumers must always be wary of the claims made in advertisements, because such claims are often exagerrated or untrue

18. to promote their products
Meaning: to make products popular by advertising them
Example: Most large enterprises contract specialist marketing companies to promote their products.

19. to buy goods impulsively
Meaning: to buy things suddenly without any planning and without considering the effects they may have
Example: Advertising motivates consumers to buy goods impulsively.

20. to be swayed by advertisements
Meaning: to be influenced to buy things as a result of advertising
Example: If consumers were not easily swayed by advertisements, the advertising industry would not exist.

21. market research
Meaning: the action of collecting information about what people buy
Example: In deciding how to promote their products or services, businesses should first conduct market research.

22. a price war
Meaning: a situation in which companies or shops continually reduce their prices in order to attract customers away from their competitors
Example: Advertising plays a key role in price wars between supermarkets.

23. to launch a product
Meaning: to introduce a new product
Example: Companies have recognised that the services of the marketing industry are essential to launch a new product successfully.

24. target audience
Meaning: consumers whom businesses aim at when selling their products
Example: Companies which sell soft drinks, like Coca Cola, aim mainly at a target audience of children and adolescents.

25. brand awareness
Meaning: the action of bringing the name of a company to the attention of the public
Example: Advertising, not the quality of the product, is responsible for creating brand awareness among consumers, as can be seen by the success of market leaders such as Nike or Coca Cola.

26. prime time television
Meaning: the hours during which most people are watching TV
Example: Although advertising on prime time television is expensive, it is guaranteed to reach a large audience.

27. the electronic media
Meaning: broadcast media which use electronic technology, such as the internet, television, radio, DVDs etc
Example: In contrast to print media, the electronic media are growing in popularity, especially among the youth.

28. to impose regulations on
Meaning: to control something by means of rules
Example: Governments must impose regulations on the advertising industry in order to protect consumers.

29. commercial advertising
Meaning: advertising on the radio or television, between or during programmes.
Example: Commercial advertising on television provides the revenue for most TV channels.

30. telemarketing
Meaning: a method of selling things or taking orders for sales by telephone
Example: Telemarketing has become a growth industry, employing millions of people across the world.