Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Donald Trump’s arrest in NY
The ex-POTUS understood how to manipulate chaos to build his cult. Donald Trump’s strategy during his term in the White House was to sew tribal division, piggyback on conspiracy theories and paint himself and his supporters as victims of injustice to such an extent that his base became radicalised. As he was turfed out of office, […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Succession
NOW TV has made an earnest effort to imbue UK publicity for acclaimed corporate tragicomedy #Succession with the show’s spirit.After manifesting a real-life sequel to a character’s dalliance with Scottish football, Succession’s final series was introduced with a fittingly over-the-top junket starring Brian Cox at the London Stock Exchange.It was a nice vanilla photo opportunity, Cox is […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Gary Lineker “1930s Germany” scandal’s reputation fallout
The Guardian asked me to comment on the Gary Lineker “1930s Germany” scandal’s reputation fallout. Here are some less truncated thoughts: Gary Lineker is on safe ground; it’s been a generation since he retired from playing football. He still comfortably represents the most formidable blend of (men’s) footballing pedigree with televisual competence and charisma in […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Police handling of Nicola Bulley case
Nicola Bulley’s family are enduring an unimaginable tragedy and deserve better than the treatment they have endured at the hands of the police and the media. Those responsible for the police’s communications must take their share of responsibility.Even considering limitations on what they can share with the public, the police seem to break another cardinal […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Prince Harry’s documentary and upcoming release of ‘Spare’
As the dust settled around Harry and Megan’s Netflix documentary there was a feeling of stalemate; those who thought them attention-seeking Hollywood wannabe egomaniacs found enough dirt to entrench that point of view, and those who thought them innocent victims of outdated, prejudiced hegemony felt there was enough justifiable grievance in there to vindicate that point of […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Victor Lewis Smith
I am still in deep shock after issuing the news about the death of Victor Lewis Smith to the Press Association earlier today. I first met Victor in 1985. He has been a constant maverick producing iconic work as a TV producer, writer and satirist. I am still struggling to come to terms with losing […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary
Not a great morning for the Royal Family and their troupe of PR wranglers. Although the Netflix #MeghanandHarry documentary redefines hagiography, this self absorbed reality confessional is straight out of the Kris Jenner play book. The tragic couple seems to be consumed by their own hubris. Nevertheless it will be a hit in US – certainly thrusts a […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Annie Liebovitz’s photo of Ronaldo and Messi for Louis Vuitton
There’s a fascinating discussion around Annie Liebovitz’s photo of Ronaldo and Messi for Louis Vuitton. The symbolism of the image is brilliant; a chess match between football’s two grandmasters atop a trophy case containing the world cup. Ronaldo, the personification of a self-assured, single-minded purpose; Messi, studious and analytical, weighing up all the options. The chess board […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Government messaging on austerity
In some ways the return to austerity is being messaged cleverly. The level of cost-cutting being trailed will have a human toll and a political cost, earning the ire of both the anti-tax right and the anti-cuts left. However, not so long ago Cameron and Osborne won a majority from a similar platform, and this […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – the world cup in Qatar
The world cup in Qatar is quickly turning into the #pr equivalent of Pandora’s Box.Hosting such a major event is a significant soft power exercise itself, but one that totally backfired for Qatar. From allegations, including by the US DoJ, of ‘buying’ votes during the tender to host the tournament – a subsect of a wider corruption […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – 2022 Arts Funding Massacre
Sending solidarity and sympathy to anyone who has fallen foul of the 2022 Arts Funding Massacre. But there’s a lesson and a warning here too. We’ve had a government that has been nakedly hostile to the Arts in most of its guises throughout twelve years in power. During that time, the industry has had ample […]
Mark’s words on LinkedIn – Matt Hancock entering ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ 2022
If Boris Johnson leaves a legacy on British politics, it will be his decimation of the notion that senior public servants must be serious people.Matt Hancock going on ‘I’m a Celebrity…’ is the perfect case study, but it’s unclear whether his motivation for entering the jungle is more about personal fame or a circuitous route […]
Why there will be no more Great Men
‘I’ve had enough’ asseverated Tory Grandee, Sir Charles Walker, seemingly close to tears. ‘I’ve had enough of talentless people’. Speaking to the BBC hours after the resignation of the Home Secretary, and hours before the resignation of the Prime Minister, his words struck a chord internationally.Even before Liz Truss slashed the record for the shortest-serving […]
Rob Mayhew and the universal experience of PR
A lot of people are sending me Rob Mayhew’s sketches about agency life, correctly praising how funny a performer he is and how he’s nailed the universal experience of working in Advertising, Marketing, PR and their various adjuncts. Taking nothing away from Rob, certain of his sketches are so close to home that they cease to […]
Capitalist excess swallows Coachella and the festival spirit whole
An excellent TikTok by Mandy Lee https://lnkd.in/eKcNAQks it articulates something that those of us who work in the cultural sector have long felt; that aspects of the scene have been swallowed whole by consumerism, marketing and ‘content’. Coachella was her chief target, noting that the ‘fun’ of the festival is essentially a way to lure people into […]
Elon Musk x Twitter: For The Showman, A New Stage
Commentary on Elon Musk’s grab for Twitter has ranged from its potential impact on the simmering tension between big tech and society at large to the possibility of the elusive ‘edit button’ finally being added to the app, but the reputational impact of the deal on both Twitter and its major new shareholder is equally […]
Oscars Debacle: Spare a thought for the publicists
Almost the first voice in Will Smith’s ear after slapping Oscars host Chris Rock for making fun of his wife, Jada, was his publicist. If we assume this wasn’t an elaborate stunt, this week the world may be wondering more than usual what on earth a publicist can do to influence a situation like that, […]
Will P&O Ferries get cancelled?
As the outrage over the P&O scandal reaches the point of inertia, here’s my (slightly disheartening) take: We all saw the disturbing news of P&O Ferries sacking 800 people with no notice last week and the justifiable outrage it caused. We have seen protests from unions on the docks, captains refusing to leave their ships or let […]
Propaganda thrives amid the chaos of Russia’s invasion
Every major war effort involves a degree of media manipulation. The creation of powerful images has always been a way to motivate populations in moments of conflict and gain sympathy abroad. A photo recently went viral showing an old man cradling a cat after, the post suggested, his home had been obliterated by a Russian […]
Ukraine Tragedy: Russia started battle of words and pictures long ago
As the world tries to understand and learn from these horrific unfolding events, one aspect of Russia’s vicious attack that hasn’t been interrogated to the same extent is the battle of images and words that has been a constant sideshow to the geopolitical and military developments.Vladimir Putin is no communications mastermind and is (rightly) often […]