Listen to George Michael
In an interview with Britain�s Radio One yesterday I heard George Michael declare that he is quitting his superstar pop career after his current album. The singer claimed he has made enough money over the years and will not be releasing any more commercial records. Instead, he plans to make music available on his website, […]
Bedford strikes back
Fantastic story on the front page of the Times today. Dressed in full running gear David Bedford (the 70’s running icon) dashed down the Strand to hijack an event the 118 118 company were staging. Fab bit of guerrilla action. Sue them Dave, sue them. It’s obvious to anybody who remembers the great runner that […]
Biodegradable underwear
If you are looking for a PR grab to help get some ink for a forthcoming tour take a leaf out Missy Elliott’s book. A thousand supermarket titles will love this line. Reportedly Missy Elliott will wear biodegradable underwear on her upcoming tour. The hip hop queen has placed an order with eco-friendly company 2(x)ist, […]
Beyond Coincidence
My old friend Martin Plimmer launches his book Beyond Coincidence on Thursday and has sent this email: It was a story all the papers covered: 10-year-old Laura Buxton released a balloon with her name attached from her grandfather’s garden in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The balloon travelled 140 miles and landed in a garden in Pewsey, Wiltshire, […]
Today programme spoofed
As a seasoned media watcher I like spotting a publicity wheeze on a hard news programme. The most satisfying hit in the UK must be the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. Spoof stories posing as hard news when outed must be so frustrating for the show that gave the world Andrew Gilligan. This morning […]
Internet on the road to recover
My old pal Rhonda Palmer emailed me this link today http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8858230%255E7582,00.html It’s a feature from the Australian newspaper. “Internet recovers from dotcom crash” it boldly proclaims. I’m so pleased the internet is making a comeback. Borkowski had a ball with all those crazy dot com tycoons rolling up to our offices with bulging wallets hiring […]
What is situ-commercial?
PR Watch http://www.prwatch.org pointed out that Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal reports on a new Advertising trend: “The most obvious alternative to TV clutter, placing products Within shows, is generating some backlash among viewers. Marketers and media buyers see the ‘situ-mercial’ as a promising alternative.” What is a situ-mercial? It’s a commercial designed to look, sound […]
The PR disaster that never was
Benicio Del Toro has confessed he used to steal cars. The Oscar-nominated actor has revealed how he went off the rails after his mother died of hepatitis when he was just nine. The Puerto Rican star admitted: “I would get into trouble. Good healthy trouble – like stealing your neighbour’s car and then getting caught, […]
How far will a press agent go for his client?
My pal Bill Grantham sent me this cutting from Variety this morning. His message to me was See how far a publicist will go for his client I am not sure I would go this far. But hey never say never. Neil Simon (76) underwent kidney transplant surgery Tuesday in New York. His wife, thesp […]
Naming and shaming?
I have just rattled off a feature for Marketing on the Dasani disaster. Stand by for the fall out.
Theatre is a freak show
My pal Adrian Bryan Brown, the fantastic Broadway theatre publicist sent me the following email this morning. The UK Press Association website “Ananova” has replaced its “Theatre” wire with a link called “Showbiz quirkies.” Yes, we are now officially a freak show! http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/ I have been banging on about how theatre marketing and PR needs […]
Sexy tap water: it was my idea
My first book launch was for a brilliant and funny book called Glad to Be Grey by Peter Freedman. It was a glorious celebration of everything dull. Frankly it’s time to reprint the book, but I digress. On the week of its publication I staged a number of stunts to generate column inches to try […]
Twin Towers Shock
I’m always on the look out for potential PR disasters. The Manhattan Coffee Company might be heading for a fall: I saw the above at the outlet next to the ITN building, and I couldn’t help thinking that a couple of things were wrong with the logo.