DOG AND PONY SHOW

Colloquial term for a staged presentation or seminar in order to market new products or services to potential customers. In finance, dog and pony show pertains to presentations to institutional and retail investors by company executives that is issuing securities as an initial or secondary public offering. It also refers to financial institutions’ presentations to hype a new product or service. The term was said to have stemmed in the late 19th century, describing traveling circuses that showed performing dogs and ponies, and went to rural areas throughout the United States. Also called road show.