promotion n.

late 14c., promoten, "to advance (someone) to a higher grade or office, exalt or raise to a higher post or position," from Old French promoter and directly from Latin promotus, past participle of promovere "move forward, advance; cause to advance, push onward; bring to light, reveal," from pro "forward" (see pro-) + movere "to move" (from PIE root *meue- "to push away").

General sense of "to further the growth or progress of (anything)" is from early 15c. In late Middle English and early Modern English also promove, from the Latin verb. Related: Promoted; promoting.

"a promotional advertisement," 1958 (in Billboard magazine headlines), shortening of promotion in the sense "advertising, publicity."

1869, "relating to promotion or advancement," from promotion + -al (1). From 1902 as "relating to advertising."