plugola

[ pluh-goh-luh ]

noun

, Slang.

1. payment or favor given to people in media or motion pictures for favorable mention or display of a particular product or brand name.
2. promotional mention or praise of someone or something on radio or television.

Word History and Origins

Origin of plugola¹

First recorded in 1955–60; plug + -ola

Example Sentences

If you were a big name—like Jack Benny, whom Samuel calls “the king of integrated advertising”—“plugola” was par for the course.

From The New Yorker

Reaffirming its history as a cavalcade of plugola, the show was front-loaded with numbers from the nominated musicals — and even some that weren’t.

From Washington Post

It’s unclear just how widespread such “plugola” schemes are now.

From Washington Post

Such product-friendly segments aren’t just potentially deceptive; they’re illegal, under a federal law that prohibits “payola” or “plugola,” as the practice is commonly known.

From Washington Post

The payola for the plugola usually goes to accommodating producers or property men.

From Time Magazine Archive