The Comedy Poster Awards, the annual celebration of the best and most creative comedy artwork at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has announced Serious About Funny Business - a marketing consultancy, newsletter and live events company promoting the value of comedy in helping businesses to better sell - as its 2026 sponsor, with a £1,000 prize fund up for grabs.
Now in its tenth edition, the Comedy Poster Awards celebrate the designers, photographers, artists and comedians who turn a show idea into an image that can stop Fringe audiences in their tracks.
At a festival where hundreds of comedians compete for attention, a great poster can be the difference between being walked past and being talked about. The Comedy Poster Awards recognise the creativity, craft and sheer nerve that goes into making those images.
The awards feature two categories: the Audience Award, decided by public vote, and the Panel Award, selected by a panel of industry experts.
This year, Serious About Funny Business is putting its money where the funny is, providing £1,000 in prize money to support and reward the creative talent behind the winning work.
Gina Lyons, founder of the Comedy Poster Awards and Gobby Girl Productions, said: “Comedy posters are often the first joke an audience sees. They can be clever, ridiculous, beautiful, outrageous or completely bonkers – and the best ones make you want to know more. We wanted to create an award that celebrates the people who make that happen. We’re thrilled to have Serious About Funny Business supporting the awards this year and putting a proper cash prize behind the creativity.”
Serious About Funny Business said: "In a new world of AI slop design we wanted to sponsor the craft, creativity and comedy that goes into selling shows at the best comedy festival in the world. These are world-class examples of using comedy to sell and deserve to be showcased and celebrated."
The Comedy Poster Awards were founded in 2014 by comedy producer Gina Lyons and are facilitated by British Comedy Guide. The awards recognise the best artwork connected to comedy shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Serious About Funny Business is a marketing consultancy, newsletter and live events company promoting the value of comedy in helping businesses to better sell. The company believes comedy isn't just about getting a laugh. Used properly, it can help businesses cut through, connect with audiences, build memorable brands and ultimately sell more. Whether through strategic consultancy, its newsletter or live events, Serious About Funny Business helps businesses understand how to use humour as a serious commercial tool.
Their mission is simple: go from gags to riches.
The awards feature an Audience Award, decided by public vote, and a Panel Award, selected by industry judges. Voting link is below - closing date is 23.59 on Sunday, September 13.
