IELTS Speaking, parties 2 et 3 : Describe an advertisement with a famous person in it

Advertisements are useful because they tell people about new products and offers, and they can help companies sell more. They can be annoying though if they are too frequent or too loud. Some adverts also make things seem better than they are, so customers might be disappointed later.

Advertisements bring clear benefits: they raise awareness of new products, help firms compete and can even fund free media like websites or TV shows. They influence trends and give consumers more choice. Yet adverts can mislead with exaggerated claims, encourage unnecessary spending and clutter public spaces. For instance, too many pop-up ads online make browsing irritating and can damage a brand’s reputation if users feel tricked.

Many ads use celebrities because people recognise them and may trust what they say. A famous face can make an advert more noticeable. But it doesn’t always work if the celebrity doesn’t suit the product or if they’re involved in a scandal.

Celebrities are used because they bring instant recognition and can transfer qualities — like glamour or reliability — to a product, a phenomenon known as the halo effect. They’re especially useful when the star fits the brand’s target audience. However, endorsements only work if there’s credibility; a mismatched pairing or a celebrity controversy can quickly undo any benefit. For example, a sports star selling unhealthy food may look inconsistent and people will be sceptical.

The most important thing in an advert is a clear message. People should understand what the product is and what it does. If the message is confusing, the advert won’t work.

The single most important factor is a clear value proposition — the main benefit that tells customers why they should care. That needs to be paired with the right audience targeting and a memorable execution, whether through a strong slogan, striking visuals or a call to action. Placement and timing also matter: even a brilliant advert will fail if seen by the wrong people at the wrong time.

Some adverts are boring because they repeat the same idea without much creativity. They might just list features and not show why the product matters. Also, dull music or poor pictures make an advert forgettable.

Adverts become boring when they lack originality or emotional connection; they often rely on generic claims and stock imagery instead of a compelling story. Poor targeting can make a well-made ad feel irrelevant to its audience, and excessive focus on technical specs without showing benefits bores people. To take an example, a long voice-over full of jargon will lose viewers quicker than a short, lively demo.

Yes, advertising is important because it helps a company tell people about its products and get customers. Without advertising, small companies would find it harder to grow and to compete with bigger firms.

Advertising is essential for most companies: it builds brand awareness, communicates benefits and supports sales growth. It also helps shape a company’s identity and can give it a competitive edge in crowded markets. That said, new businesses sometimes rely on word-of-mouth and clever social media instead of big ad spends, but even then some targeted advertising usually accelerates growth.

Online adverts are good because they target people and you can see how many people clicked. Offline adverts like posters or TV can reach people who don’t use the internet and may feel more trustworthy to some people. Both have their uses.

Which is more effective depends on the goal. Online advertising offers precise targeting, immediate analytics and usually lower cost per impression, so it’s ideal for direct response and measurement-driven campaigns. Offline advertising — TV, radio, billboards — can deliver broader reach, stronger brand recall and a sense of legitimacy, especially for older demographics. In practice, an integrated approach that uses both channels often delivers the best results.