At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exciting press campaigns for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026.
- Company: Join a creative PR agency passionate about the arts.
- Benefits: Freelance fee of £168 per day with flexible remote work options.
- Other info: Opportunities to work on multiple projects and travel to Edinburgh.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the arts while building valuable media relationships.
- Qualifications: Inventive, organised, and proactive individuals with a passion for media.
Opening Lines are looking for a Publicist to help deliver press campaigns for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 projects. We work across a wide range of artforms and are looking for someone who loves the arts, enjoys building media relationships, and thinks they’ll be able to deliver great coverage - from broadsheets and blogs to influencers, magazines and other non-traditional media.
The role: You’ll work closely with our Director and the wider Opening Lines team to secure media coverage for a number of our Fringe clients. Tasks might include:
- Contacting potential reviewers and journalists
- Managing comp requests and media attendance lists
- Tracking and reporting coverage
- Researching and pitching preview opportunities
- Liaising with venues to share the results.
About you:
- Are inventive, organised and proactive
- Enjoy creative thinking and developing ideas
- Have (or are keen to build) media contacts across print, broadcast and digital
- Are particularly interested in working with magazines, online outlets and non-traditional media.
Ideally you’ll be available to travel to Edinburgh occasionally before and during August, but we’re also open to 100% remote working.
Fee: Freelance fee: £168 per day. Projects typically run between two to four days of work, likely to be spread between July and August 2026. There may be opportunities to work on multiple projects.
About Opening Lines: Opening Lines are a tight-knit PR agency who help creative projects get noticed. We work across theatre, comedy, music and spoken word.
How to apply: Please send your CV and a short covering email (250 words max) with the subject line 'Publicist (Freelance)' to james@openinglinesmedia.co.uk. The deadline is Saturday 14 March 2026 at 17:00.
Publicist (Freelance) employer: Creative Scotland
Opening Lines is an exceptional employer for those passionate about the arts, offering a collaborative and creative work environment that values inventive thinking and proactive engagement. As a freelance Publicist, you'll have the unique opportunity to work on exciting projects during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with flexible remote working options and the chance to build valuable media relationships across diverse platforms. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the vibrant world of theatre, comedy, and music while enjoying the freedom of freelance work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Publicist (Freelance)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend events, workshops, or even online meet-ups related to the arts. The more people you know in the industry, the better your chances of landing gigs like this one.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When reaching out to potential clients or collaborators, share your unique ideas for press campaigns. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your passion for the arts.
✨Tip Number 3
Keep your media contacts updated. Make a list of journalists and influencers you want to connect with, and regularly engage with them on social media. Building these relationships can lead to great coverage opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
We think you need these skills to ace Publicist (Freelance)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Catchy Covering Email:Your covering email is your first impression, so make it count! Keep it concise, engaging, and relevant to the role. Show us your passion for the arts and why you’re the perfect fit for our team.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Highlight your experience in PR, especially any work related to the arts. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Opening Lines, so make it personal.
Show Off Your Media Savvy:Since we’re all about building media relationships, mention any contacts you have in your application. If you’ve worked with magazines, blogs, or influencers before, let us know how you can leverage those connections!
Follow the Application Instructions:Make sure to follow our application instructions to the letter. Use the subject line 'Publicist (Freelance)' and keep your covering email under 250 words. It shows us you can follow guidelines and pay attention to detail!
How to prepare for a job interview at Creative Scotland
✨Know Your Arts
Make sure you’re well-versed in the various artforms that Opening Lines works with. Brush up on recent projects, trends, and key players in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe scene. This will show your passion for the arts and help you connect with the team.
✨Build Your Media Contacts
Before the interview, think about your existing media contacts and how they could benefit the role. If you don’t have many yet, consider researching potential journalists and influencers who cover similar events. Mentioning specific names can impress the interviewers!
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss your creative ideas for press campaigns. Think outside the box and come up with unique angles or strategies that could work for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This will demonstrate your inventive thinking and proactive approach.
✨Be Organised and Proactive
During the interview, highlight your organisational skills and how you manage multiple tasks. Share examples of how you’ve successfully tracked coverage or managed media lists in the past. This will reassure them that you can handle the demands of the role.
