Deep fakes and propaganda challenge the very essence of truth
In the tumultuous seas of our information age, where deep fakes and propaganda challenge the very essence of truth, our approach to understanding takes on heightened significance. Recent tragic geopolitical events, such as those in Gaza and Ukraine, underscore the urgent need to reflect not just on what we know but on how we acquire […]
Thanks to Chartered Institute of Public Relations for asking me to contribute to their Engage podcast series
Great host Mark Phillimore, Senior Lecturer on the Master Programme in Public Relations at the University of Greenwich and a wonderful foil Rob Mcgibbon, author and journalist. Brilliant coordination Debbie West Chair CIPR Podcast Editorial Board”I have an expression which I use all the time, which is everything is different, everything’s the same. It is about […]
With profound sorrow, we receive the sad news of Bill Kenwright’s departure
Bill, a cherished client of Borkowski for over two decades, was not just a client; he was a remarkable showman with an unparalleled understanding of how to produce great nights out.Bill’s love for the theatre was limitless, and his fiery passion knew no bounds. As a producer, he fearlessly pursued the creation of memorable evenings […]
The importance of curiosity and inquiry
Let’s talk about the importance of curiosity and inquiry in the age of the Digisphere. In his book “A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas,” bestselling author Warren Berger emphasizes the profound significance of maintaining a constant sense of curiosity. This curiosity becomes especially crucial in a world where our […]
Contemplating the cost of fame as media darlings fall from grace
I have been contemplating the cost of fame as media darlings fall from grace. In our epoch, the sprawling media matrix has transformed into an elaborate stage where entertainers deftly wield the tools of the digital age to amplify their performance. Society becomes entangled in this grand spectacle of entertainment and ostentation as one digital […]
Sunak’s reverse-ferret on the government’s Green pledges is in reality, the firing of the starting gun for the coming general election
Strip away the rest of the rhetoric, and we are left with a simple soundbite that will form the basis of his pitch for another term in government:“Proportional, pragmatic and realistic.”Here is a leader, Sunak would have us believe, who will eschew populist headlines in favour of beneficial policies that do not disrupt people’s lives. […]
Jordan Henderson fallout from his interview with The Athletic after moving to play football in Saudi Arabia
I’ve been asked by some people what counsel I would have given Jordan Henderson amidst the fallout from his interview with The Athletic after moving to play football in Saudi ArabiaFrom my perspective, one can argue that Jordan Henderson’s PR nightmare case raises questions about the values and principles individuals should uphold, especially those in […]
Greenpeace’s recent return to the fight against Big Oil has sparked a significant reaction
Greenpeace’s recent return to the fight against Big Oil has sparked a significant reaction, with their viral film, “Total Pollution: A Dirty Game,” making waves. The video shows a packed rugby stadium drowning in oil as the kickoff whistle blows, protesting Total Energy Corp sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup.This creative approach aims to draw […]
Time continues its forward march and the stalwarts of bygone eras gradually recede into history
As time continues its forward march and the stalwarts of bygone eras gradually recede into history, an intriguing challenge arises: how do we ensure that these cultural giants’ legacies remain preserved and relevant? This quandary becomes particularly timely when we consider figures like Michael Parkinson against the backdrop of a TikTok-driven cultural zeitgeist. In the […]
The pace of life clatters on at the speed of light
I can’t believe July has passed in a flash. Reflecting on the hustle and bustle of modern existence it’s easy to get lost in a constant cycle of digital distractions. Our minutes are meticulously scheduled, leaving no room for interruptions. However, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of building in a […]
More thoughts on the banking rep meltdown
Seven days’ later, NatWest CEO Alison Rose dramatically revealed she had been the source of the BBC article and admitted the information she provided had been incorrect. After attempting to cling on she resigned at 1.45am the following day.PR expert Mark Borkowski said bank bosses were guilty of using ’20th-century PR to deal with 21st-century […]
More thoughts on the banking rep meltdown.
Seven days’ later, NatWest CEO Alison Rose dramatically revealed she had been the source of the BBC article and admitted the information she provided had been incorrect. After attempting to cling on she resigned at 1.45am the following day.PR expert Mark Borkowski said bank bosses were guilty of using ’20th-century PR to deal with 21st-century […]
The shockwaves emanating from Kevin Spacey’s acquittal will once again force us to consider how we conduct ‘trial by media’.
The shockwaves emanating from Kevin Spacey’s acquittal will once again force us to consider how we conduct ‘trial by media’. Exposing sexual impropriety is, of course, a crucial fourth estate duty. Still, it is just as vital that a clear distinction is drawn between the editorial values of reporting allegations of wrongdoing based on fact and […]
24 hours in the BBC Presentergate spin cycle.
After another discombobulating 24 hours in the BBC Presentergate spin cycle, I find myself dwelling not on where the stakeholding organisations lie on the chessboard, nor on what the story says about the state of contemporary media and mass communication, but on the human beings watching their futures being pinballed around the news agenda. The reason […]
I have finally stopped wincing at the car crash that is Coutts’ Nigel Farage climbdown
I have finally stopped wincing at the car crash that is Coutts’ Nigel Farage climbdown to think about the miscalculations that drove this disaster.Although he was in some ways a commercial risk, it’s clear that distaste for Farage’s political views was the chief reason for Coutts’s attempts to shut down his account.Many factors massively counteracted […]
Significant lessons and warnings for communications and reputation management professionals
Having spent most of the past 48 hours being mined for my thoughts on the BBC Presenter story I will try to distil here what I see as the most significant lessons and warnings for communications and reputation management professionals. Please visit (and subscribe to) the Borkowski Substack for my thoughts in full.The Sun used […]
From my perspective, we find ourselves in incredibly interesting times for the Harry and Meghan brand
Spotify’s choice to sever ties with Meghan and Harry may result in a significant financial setback for the couple. This decision also casts doubts on their dwindling aspirations of attaining the status they crave.Are we witnessing a precarious stack of dominos ready to topple with their other deals? Meghan may have a bright future as […]
In 1985, I was filled with excitement when I first discovered the benefits of the brick mobile phone
As an early adopter, I vividly remember sitting in a pub, taking a phone call, and realising that this could be the answer to working remotely. The idea of running my office from a charming old Cotswold hostelry seemed like utter bliss. Not WFH more WFTP. However, this dream scenario soon diminished as the hidden […]
The rise of social media promised a vibrant public square
The rise of social media promised a vibrant public square, but it also brought forth new challenges. Online trolling, disinformation, and a disconnected public have plagued these spaces.Newsrooms rely on metrics to engage audiences, but we are transforming the digital realm into toxic hellscapes. The latest Reuters Institute Digital News Report reveals a decline in […]
The tragic death of 17-year-old Nahel after being shot by the police and the ensuing wave of riots in France has captured the world’s attention.
On Friday, President Macron blamed social media and video games for the spread of the riots, the latest bombardment in an aggressive anti-rioter communications campaign that has seen French government ministers refuse to mitigate their condemnation of the violence and even the family of the young victim call for an end to the unrest. Of course, […]