Promoting Live Entertainment: Our Partnership with GigRealm

Live entertainment has always been one of the most powerful tools pubs and bars have to drive footfall. From live music and DJs to themed events, these moments create experiences that simply can’t be replicated at home.

But there’s a common challenge operators face:
Booking great entertainment is only half the battle. If customers don’t know it’s happening, the opportunity is lost.

That’s why we’re strengthening our partnership with GigRealm - to help operators not just book live entertainment, but actively promote it in-venue, effortlessly and automatically.

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Connecting booking with promotion.

GigRealm makes it simple for venues to book and pay performers. Startle ensures the right messages reach customers at the right time through digital screens and in-venue communications.

Now, venues using GigRealm can automatically promote their upcoming live events across Startle-powered digital signage screens - without adding extra workload for operators or site teams.

No posters, manual updates, or reliance on already-stretched teams.

Just seamless promotion built into the systems operators already use.

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Already live across major pub groups.

The enhanced partnership is already live across major pub groups including Greene King, Admiral Taverns, Amber Taverns.

As we head further into 2026, we want to help operators make the most of the money they're spending.

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Why this matters for operators.

Live entertainment remains one of the last true differentiators in the licensed trade. It creates energy. Atmosphere. Reasons to visit. Reasons to return.

But rising costs and changing consumer behaviour mean every investment needs to work harder.

By joining up booking, payment and promotion, we’re removing friction from the process and helping venues:

• Increase awareness of upcoming events
  
  
• Drive incremental footfall
  
  
• Maximise return on entertainment spend
  
  
• Reduce operational burden on site teams
  
  

It’s a practical example of how suppliers can collaborate to deliver joined-up solutions.