Latest news with #MeettheMedia
Scotsman
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Festival diary: Pickle crisps and anatomically correct 3D models, the madness of Meet the Media
Meet the Media was an intense experience with dozens of performers pitching their shows Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This weekend saw the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival with an eight hour (yes, you read that right) concert. The piece, by composer John Taverner, which featured 250 singers from four choirs, has only been performed in its entirety once before. I had expected the feeling by seven hours in to be akin to that of the end of a long haul flight: when everyone is stale, pasty, haggard and in a mental state of desperate resignation. But it wasn't. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The audience was rapt. Almost all seats remained full, including the beanbags which replaced the stalls. When the concert reached its finale, just short of eight hours after it began, the place erupted, breaking into an enthusiastic standing ovation. An absolute triumph. Totes delulu for Meet the Media At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society's Meet the Media event at the weekend, The Scotsman's team of myself and Roisin McMullan, our Fringe Young Writer's Award recipient, who is reviewing festivals shows for us in a partnership with the Fringe Society, met literally dozens of performers, pitching their shows. It was my first Meet the Media event as arts correspondent and while I'd been warned that it would be not only busy, but hugely intense, nothing prepared me for the sheer volume - and incredible diversity - of shows on offer. The eight-hour concert at the Usher Hall. | Scotsman Some performers came armed with merchandise and props to promote their performances, ranging from the more usual tote bags and pin badges to a cling-on koala, a sample packet of pickle flavoured crisps, created for food manufacturer Serious Pig by comedian and crisp connoisseur Adam Evans - and an apparently anatomically correct 3D rubber model of the clitoris. We got to keep the crisps, but thankfully, performers from Church of the Clitori did not leave us the clitoris. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In an interview I conducted this week with Underbelly directors Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, the pair argued that a truly international festival like the Fringe needs a truly international audience, warning that the festival's attendees are becoming increasingly Scottish, due to the rising cost of staying in Edinburgh. What was fascinating was that out of around 60 or so shows pitched to us, only three were from UK-based performers, just two of whom were Scottish. The rest came from as far afield as the US, Switzerland, China, Romania and Lithuania. If Meet the Media was anything to go by, they were right: the Fringe is truly international, but perhaps the audience is not. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One American pair, promoting show Horny for the End of the World, talked only in Gen Z speak, telling us that it the performance was 'totes girly pops' and the character was 'delulu' about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Luckily, I have a thirteen year old at home who has taught me a degree of fluency, or I might have needed to call in a translator to hear the show's tale of woe in an entanglement with the Fringe Society who asked them to take down their giant floating balloons - spelling out the first word of their show title - from where they had been strung up across the Royal Mile. 'Sis, the Fringe sent us such mixed signals. For months they've been blowing up our inbox like: 'bring your most creative street promos'. So we did!' wrote director Musa Gurnis in an email afterwards, adding they had been told the giant balloons, which they brought with them from the US were 'not in the spirit of the Fringe'.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
York entrepreneur launches eco-friendly mobile car valeting service
York entrepreneur Gareth Livesley launched an eco-friendly mobile car valeting service. Kaizen Car Care promises a professional level of car care directly to people's driveways, and already has a dedicated customer base, including top local businesses in the York area. Gareth said: 'I've always worked around vehicles, I've been cleaning them on and off for most of my life, starting with our family haulage business when I was young. 'When I got my first car, I kept it in great condition, which led to family, friends and neighbours asking me to clean their vehicles. RECOMMENDED READING: Meet the Media returns to the Bonding Warehouse on June 26 Aptamer Group reports progress on Liver Fibrosis treatments Avery Dennison opens high-tech facility at Hornbeam Park Tiddlywinks Nursery opens at Yolk Farm near Boroughbridge 'I started a career in haulage but I never lost my interest in cars, having the privilege of owning and working on a diverse range of vehicles, from classic cars to high-powered luxury vehicles.' During lockdown, Gareth started cleaning cars belonging to friends and family again, and soon found the high quality of his work was in demand. He was then inspired to set up Kaizen – the name is a Japanese term meaning 'continuous improvement'. 'Cleaning cars has always been quite therapeutic for me - I can really lose myself washing and valeting a vehicle,' says Gareth. 'I put my headphones in, and three or four hours will soon pass.' Gareth has since gained a wide range of qualifications and accreditations, including recently becoming an official brand ambassador for sustainable car care company, Mile Deep. Its range of eco-friendly products are biodegradable and cruelty-free. Kaizen has also been awarded Plastic Free champion status. And Gareth is working towards gaining more eco-friendly accreditations. Meanwhile, Kaizen's branded workwear uses 35% recycled plastic bottles and Gareth avoids the use of harsh chemicals whenever possible. Gareth says: 'I'm a big believer in the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement, which is precisely what Kaizen stands for. "I understand the desire for that pristine 'like new' feeling every time you step into your car. I'm proud to be York's only IDA (international Detailing Association) Certified and Skills verified Detailer. "I'm also fully insured, I only use high-quality products and provide a premium level of work – I aim to restore any car to its former glory.' Kaizen covers a 30-mile radius of York, with packages ranging from interior cleaning to ceramic coatings. Kaizen Car Care also offers a monthly maintenance scheme to keep your vehicle always looking in a pristine condition. Gareth also caters for business fleet cleans, including vans, cars and 4x4's, keeping brands looking fabulous. Gareth continued: 'I'm committed to offering a friendly and reliable service with a high attention to detail. If you invest in a professional valet, it can really breathe new life into a vehicle's appearance.' Kaizen will also be a stall holder at this year's York Pride, with a variety of activities, games and prizes planned. This includes a charity raffle to raise funds for MySight York, a local charity supporting people with sight loss, where people can win gift vouchers of between £25 and £100 to spend on a car clean with Kaizen. Meanwhile, there will be plenty of treats for the four-legged visitors, including free natural dog snacks, which have been donated by a local company, plus bowls of drinking water. Gareth added: 'I'm really proud to have our first stall at Pride this year. If you're attending the event at the Knavesmire on 7th June, please come over to the stand to say hello. We provide a welcoming environment and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. 'I'm looking forward to the day - and being able to answer any questions about eco-friendly, cruelty-free car care.' To chat to Gareth or to book an eco-friendly car valeting at your home or business, visit: or email: gareth@ or call 07355 928357
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Date announced for second 'Meet the Media' business networker
After the resounding success of the inaugural event in March, York PR experts Linda Harrison and Jo Leatham have announced the date for the city's second 'Meet the Media' speed networking event. On Thursday June 26 from 12.45pm to 3pm at Patch, the Bonding Warehouse, up to 30 local business owners will have the opportunity to make meaningful connects and showcase their company to a selection of highly renowned regional journalists. They include Group Editor of five titles, and former Yorkshire Post business reporter Andrew Palmer; York Press Business Editor Darren Greenwood, Elly Fiorentini of BBC Radio York, and Kathryn Armstrong, Editor at Yorkshire Life magazine. The format for the event has been refined and will kick off with a brief introduction from each of the journalists who will share details about their experience. RECOMMENDED READING: Meet the Media event wows firms at York's Patch offices 'Meet the Media' call to York and North Yorkshire business Sarah Hough earns national success with Sashay Dance Company Alistair Lamont of York publishes guide with local knowledge They will also divulge inside tips about generating press coverage, outlining the types of stories they report on, the news their readers are interested in, how to make a business pitch/press release stand out, and how and when is best to contact them. The speed networking will follow. Tables will be made up of six business owners and one journalist. Business owners will be allocated one minute each to pitch their business and will then chat to the journalist and answer any questions before moving to the next table and journalist. Jo Leatham and Linda Harrison, who have created the Meet the Media events in York (Image: Pic supplied) This means attendees will get the chance to introduce themselves to all five journalists, share inspiring stories about how and why they launched their business, provide updates on the latest products and services and enjoy networking with up to 30 fellow solopreneurs. The event will close with a Q & A session where attendees will have the opportunity to pose any questions to the panel of journalists about how best to hit the headlines. Jo Leatham, who has over 30-years' experience in PR and specialises in connecting businesses with journalists, said: 'We had so much positive feedback following the first event with news, in-depth features, business developments and interviews appearing in various media outlets across the region. 'Linda and I are passionate about supporting local businesses to create headlines and share news through PR. "This event provides a great platform for anyone keen to learn more about how to get their business in the news from some of the region's finest journalists.' Linda Harrison, a PR Consultant and former regional and national newspaper journalist, added: 'Meet the Media offers a unique insight into what journalists look for in stories plus advice on how to secure valuable press coverage for businesses. 'It is a brilliant opportunity for entrepreneurs and business owners to connect directly with top regional journalists. We're excited to meet everyone on the day!' Spaces are limited to 30 attendees and are bookable on a first come first served basis. Early bird tickets are priced at £75 plus Eventbrite fee per person and will be available until 30 May. Full price tickets are £95. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite here. 5% of ticket sales will be donated to Smart Works Leeds. For further details email Linda: linda@ or Jo: pr@
