Riot Communications has been hired to handle publicity for ‘the Oscars of Comedy’, the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, which will light up the Edinburgh Fringe throughout August, spotlighting the next generation of comedic talent.
Now in their 42nd year, the Edinburgh Comedy Awards have a proven history of spotting comedy brilliance. Past winners have amassed 528 television writing credits, 44 directing credits and over 1,500 acting credits, and nominees have 534 writing credits, 72 directing credits and over 1,200 acting credits on screen.
The Awards are responsible for launching the careers of the UK’s comedy elite, with previous award winners including Stephen Fry, Steve Coogan, Lee Evans, Al Murray, Sarah Millican, Omid Djalili, Eddie Izzard, Tim Minchin, The League of Gentlemen, Jenny Eclair and Frank Skinner. Many winners and nominees have gone on to have a significant impact on mainstream popular culture, writing, directing and acting in some of the most iconic television and film over the last four decades – including Green Wing and Smack The Pony (Victoria Pile), Sherlock (Mark Gatiss), Alan Partridge and Philomena (Steve Coogan), Car Share (Peter Kay), The IT Crowd (Richard Ayoade), Benidorm and No.9 (Steve Pemberton), Doctor Who and her eponymous TV show (Catherine Tate), W1A (Sara Pascoe), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (Romesh Ranganathan), Sex Education (Hannah Gadsby), Baby Reindeer (Richard Gadd) and Starstruck (Rose Matafeo).
Riot Communications specialises in arts, culture and entertainment. Its clients include publishers Penguin Random House and Pan Macmillan, Oscar-winning animation studio Aardman, cultural organisations such as the Royal Institution and the Science Museum Group, and cultural prizes from the Nero Book Awards to the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting.
Caitlin Allen, MD of Riot Communications, said: “For decades the Edinburgh Comedy Awards have played an essential role in spotlighting the best up-and-coming comedy talent. At a time in which it feels harder than ever for new acts to launch their careers, they are even more vital. We are thrilled to be working with the UK’s most prestigious prize in comedy – and looking forward to spending the whole of August laughing so hard that our cheeks hurt!”
The shortlist for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards will be announced on Wednesday 21 August 2024, the Nominees’ photocall will be on Thursday 22 August and the 42nd Edinburgh Comedy Awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 24 August 2024.
