Final answer:
A memorable element that attracts potential audiences in a marketing program for a recording release is called a hook. This catch-all term can refer to any engaging and memorable marketing strategy facet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked what a key element to a good marketing program for a recording release is, specifically a memorable element that attracts potential audiences. The answer to this question is hook. In marketing, especially related to the music industry, a hook is a musical idea, a memorable melody or phrase that catches the listener's ear. This does not just apply to the music itself but can also be a marketing strategy that includes any component, such as visuals or concepts, that is catchy and memorable enough to draw in and engage the audience.
Comparatively, a gimmick refers to a trick or a unique feature intended to attract attention or increase appeal, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee the long-standing memorability of a hook. A tagline is a memorable phrase used to sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product, while a jingle is a short song or tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses, to easily remember a brand or a product.