News

On Saturday 05 August, our popular Meet the Media event returned as part of Fringe 2023. On the first Saturday of the Fringe, the Fringe Society team coordinates an afternoon where artists can meet some of the key media titles visiting the Fringe to pitch their show for review or news coverage. 

Our team enjoyed getting to know all the artists who came along, many of whom were first-timers at the Fringe. Our honorary President Phoebe Waller-Bridge also made an appearance, chatting to performers and hearing about their shows as they prepared their pitches.

This year’s Meet the Media was preceded for the first time by a relaxed session where neurodiverse artists could pitch their shows in a less stressful environment, with fewer people queuing and tools to help support various sensory needs. Feedback from this session has been incredibly positive: 

“Such a good idea. Never thought of doing this."
"This is awesome that you have done this."
"This is the best day ever."
"Thank you so much for this."
"Great resources. This is so awesome."
"This is so helpful – I already feel relaxed."
"I feel so seen. I love this."

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "Meet the Media is always an exciting, buzzy event – it’s almost emblematic of the Fringe as a whole, in the way it brings artists together, in a single location, to share their passion for the work they’ve created. I’m especially delighted that our inaugural relaxed session was such a success – we’ll definitely be looking at how we can use this approach for future events."

Around 316 shows attended the event, with around 600 participants in total gathering to pitch to representatives from 11 media companies.