Craic platform feedback from Comedy Industry experts
Ahead of launch, here is what some of our beta testers have to say about the Craic platform…
Multi-award winning BAFTA comedy TV, Film, Audio and Podcast Producer, Co-Founder Vibrant Television
“Being a comedian used to be just tough and underpaid, but throw in a pandemic, shut venues, TikTok jesters where 6 seconds equals a set, AND Hollywood celebs who react to jokes with slaps instead of laughs, and you've got a full-on career obstacle course. So, where do you go if you're a rookie comic looking for advice, an agent wanting to work with new promoters or simply a comedy fan looking to geek out?
Well, hello, Craic - not just another app, but a lifeline for the comedy universe. A one-stop creative hub linking comedians, writers, promoters, agents, producers, audiences and more - Craic serves as the grand central station of giggles. And seriously, how will the business be truly diverse and inclusive if there are no clear pathways to entry or connection?
Our comedians need to be heard (sorry, Will), and the industry needs to evolve to survive. Craic offers a simple and effective stage to connect and elevate this incredible but sometimes chaotic community.”
Talent Executive - One of the UK’s top comedy, talent & celebrity bookers (ITV, BBC, MTV, C4, Sky)
“I've collaborated with Craic’s founder, Louisa Jackson, for nearly two decades. Her dedication and innovative spirit consistently set her apart.
With Craic, she's pioneered a platform that promises to revolutionise the comedy industry, offering comprehensive tools for business, including enhancing talent discovery and engagement.
This isn't just a win for the UK comedy scene but a game-changer globally, making talent research and development more thorough and diverse.”
Producer & Manager at Top Secret Comedy Club
“As a producer and venue manager of one of the UK’s busiest comedy clubs, one of our biggest challenges is there is a disparate nature to how we communicate and manage comedians - and from what I hear from comedians, how they manage their interactions with comedy clubs, promoters, venues and the wider comedy community. We have a saying in the industry, ‘comedy is a serious business’. There are thousands of people in the UK comedy industry who take this seriously, it's not a job or a career - like film music, dance or theatre - it's a passion and a calling.
Having somewhere that unifies and supports this industry is vital to its continued development and growth. What Louisa and the Craic team are proposing is something new and innovative, certainly nothing I've seen on that scale having worked in the comedy industry for almost 14 years.”
Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer at Backyard Comedy Club
“Craic is a desperately needed system for the comedy industry, so we can source work and connect with one another professionally.
We currently have to use Facebook Groups to get gigs, which is an amateur and unprofessional way to operate, in an increasingly saturated market. People working in comedy clubs are excited about stand-comedy and want to do other jobs like producing and writing - this doesn't seem to happen as much as it used to, as social media has cheapened the industry.
People are getting gigs based on social media followings, where algorithms reward quantity not quality - being good at Tik Tok doesn't mean you're good at stand-up comedy, which means audiences get low quality comics, impacting the entire ecosystem. It's a race to the bottom.”
Creative Industry Mental Health Expert, Kingston University Researcher, Founder The Haven + London, Award-Winning Theologian
“Craic is proposing to build a community to bring together a shift for the comedy industry to thrive, not only economically but also emotionally.
My purpose is to reform care for creatives. I am supporting Craic because so much about mental health has become about managing versus preventing crises.”