Baby Reindeer @ Edinburgh Fringe 2019 (photo credit: Andrew Perry)
WHAT WE DO
Formed in 2015, SM Publicity offer a refreshing approach to public relations for theatre, arts and culture.
We are Scotland based and work in partnership with venues, theatre companies and producers across the UK whether that’s in Bradford, Brighton, Cardiff, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, London and everywhere in between.
We have significant experience of achieving high level results on national and international projects within the UK including theatre tours, London West End & UK city runs, site specific performance and festivals extending through to live arts events and award ceremonies.
We are experienced in working across the intersections of race, gender, class, disability, politics and culture, often on projects with sensitive or complex subject matters. In addition to long term news journalism and PR experience, we have, through effective communication, developed lasting relationships across these industries and beyond.
Recent clients include ThickSkin, Fuel, Flawbored, Francesca Moody Productions (Fleabag, original Edinburgh fringe production & London West End), Show And Tell, Tara Finney Productions, groupwork, Fifth Word, Doune The Rabbit Hole Festival, Mayfest, Bristol, Compass Festival, Leeds and multi-award winning performance artists Sh!t Theatre.
We have supported productions presented at reputable London, UK regional and Scottish venues including Trafalgar Studios, Soho Theatre, Paines Plough, Tron Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Summerhall, Pleasance, Underbelly, Leeds Playhouse, Camden People’s Theatre and have managed showcase PR for Northern Stage at the Edinburgh Fringe (2017 and 2018), the inaugural Arab Arts Focus and for London/New York based theatre producers Show And Tell. We have considerable experience at international arts festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe and Brighton Fringe.
Our extensive knowledge of media outlets and longstanding press relationships combined with journalistic nous ensures we develop targeted approaches and ideas to generate enduring press. We regularly achieve coverage in The Stage, Guardian, Independent, Metro, Evening Standard, Scotsman, The List, TimeOut London and on national & regional radio and TV.
We enjoy collaboration and are experienced in working flexibly with marketing, design and digital partners to ensure the success of your project.
WHO WE ARE
SM Publicity is led by Sharon McHendry who has 20 years’ experience in news journalism and arts PR. Sharon holds a PgDip in Journalism Studies from the University of Strathclyde and a BA in Business. She held a senior role at a London based arts PR agency for three years and previously managed public relations for multi-arts venue The Arches, Glasgow and the Glasgow School of Art. Her expertise extends across the fields of theatre, live music, visual art and multi-arts festivals. Sharon is also (Acting) Chair of the board of Hen Hoose, a Creative Scotland funded songwriting collective and music production house for female and non binary musicians in Scotland and the UK, formed to address music industry inequality.
Reuben Kay supports Sharon in a freelance capacity throughout her work. Contributing since SM Publicity’s inception and at all successive Edinburgh Fringes, Reuben brings a fresh and dynamic approach to public relations campaigns. In addition to almost six years’ of continuous PR experience, Reuben has an extensive knowledge of arts and culture in addition to significant expertise in academic relations and communications.
EDINBURGH FRINGE
Sharon has 13 years’ PR experience at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Across her career she has represented award-winning, sell-out hit shows including Nic Green's Trilogy and Kieran Hurley's BEATS (both while working in-house at The Arches), Kieran Hurley’s Heads Up, Selina Thompson’s salt., Kieran Hurley and Gary McNair’s Square Go (2018 & in 2019 starring Game of Thrones’ Daniel Portman and River City’s Gavin Jon Wright), Greatest Play in the History of the World starring Julie Hesmondhalgh (Broadchurch, Coronation Street), Richard Gadd’s Olivier Award winning Baby Reindeer and Sh!t Theatre’s Letters to Windsor House, DollyWould and Sh!t Theatre Drink Rum with Expats.
SM Publicity has consistently generated a high level of press coverage for Edinburgh Fringe artists and companies since formation. Sell out, award-winning shows we’ve supported include: Baby Reindeer, Sh!t Theatre Drink Rum with Expats, The Afflicted, How Not to Drown (all 2019), Glasgow Girls (2016, top selling show), DollyWould (2017), Trojan Horse (2018), Greatest Play in the History of the World (2018) and Square Go (2018 and 2019), Letters to Windsor House and Heads Up (2017) and Two Man Show, salt. and The Believers are But Brothers (as part of Northern Stage at Summerhall in 2016 and 2017). See our Edinburgh Fringe section for more information.
During busier periods such as the Edinburgh Fringe, SM Publicity lead a team of freelance PR professionals with considerable arts experience. As a team, SM Publicity have managed PR campaigns for individual projects and also showcases. They supported Northern Stage at Summerhall (Edinburgh Fringe 2016 and 2017) alongside PR Helen Fussell, international showcase the Arab Arts Focus in 2017 and The Wales in Edinburgh showcase in 2022. They’ve worked with a host of artists from across the UK and internationally at venues including Summerhall, Assembly, Pleasance, the Traverse Theatre, ZOO and Underbelly.
Glasgow Girls @ Edinburgh Fringe 2016 (photo credit: Andrew Wilson)
DollyWould @ Edinburgh Fringe 2017 (photo credit: The Other Richard)