Fame-hungry Meghan is copying Trump – she’s desperate to make the world obsessed with her, expert slams
The Sun
Dissecting the podcast, royal expert Mark Borkowski said it’s an attempt to hold on to the spotlight.
Slamming the Duchess he said she is copying Trump in a bid to stay relevant.
Mark said about Meghan’s poorly received podcast: “One could argue that’s a major success because, you know, it keeps her in this sort of public gaze and keeps the global media obsessed about her story.
“Whether it’s the President of the United States or Meghan Markle, it is all about noise now.
“But you know, what are the cut through messages – and I don’t think we’ve seen that with Meghan at the moment because everything seems to be the next thing that’s thrown against the wall hoping it will stick.”
Mark warned that in this day and age, anyone can be famous but it takes a certain skill, which he believes President Trump possesses, to remain in the spotlight.
“Any large personality can generate a huge Instagram following,” he added.
“But how do you stop being boring? What did Trump say? Everybody needs a little crazy.
“The problem is about staying, not just staying at the top but remaining famous, but also dealing with that fame in a highly cruel and critical world.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/34479384/meghan-trump-obsessed/
Mark Borkowski On The Future Of Journalism & The Changing Media Landscape
Once dictated by newsrooms and editors, today’s media landscape is ruled by algorithms, and clickbait, emotion is the signal, facts are just noise. We are experiencing perception warfare, and attention is the most valuable currency. Traditional outlets are weakening, attention spans are shrinking, and platforms like TikTok, Instagram, podcasts, X and WhatsApp dominate.
PR today is less about securing a page in the paper and more about fostering an emotional connection, and managing fragile reputations across fast-moving, fragmented digital ecosystems.
At our agency, we’re focused on reputation management, story seeding, and navigating a culture driven by speed, volume, and the relentless pursuit of virality.
New Rules of the Game
WhatsApp isn’t just for gossip. Instead, it’s a key source of news. But it’s a dangerous one. We’ve seen trust destroyed and careers shaken by leaked screenshots from private chats. One major tabloid story even came from a celebrity’s own daughter.
TikTok is now the primary news source for over half of 18–24 year olds. That tells you everything about where PR needs to be. Traditional media no longer has a monopoly on narrative.
Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are chaotic. If you haven’t seen the documentary on Twitter’s origins, watch it – what began as an idealistic tech experiment has become an unregulated nuclear bomb. Bots are generating and spreading fake news faster than humans can react.
Bots now create 25 percent of content we interact with on social media. That’s a terrifying statistic for anyone protecting a brand. Do you respond? Stay silent? Fight fiction with facts? In this Wild West, the old rules don’t apply.
Journalists are also under huge pressure. At Reach, for example, reporters are expected to file eight stories a day – including promoting them on social and optimising for SEO. It’s less about truth, more about clicks. Brands that think ‘no comment’ is a strategy? You’re just fuelling the fire.
And AI? It’s already here. Some clients already use ChatGPT to draft all their comms. It’s efficient, but it’s not creative, and as we’ve seen recently, it’s not always accurate. When AI is being used to factcheck its own work, authenticity is becoming an increasing rarity. And yet, a year from now, AI might be writing punchier headlines than we can. We’ll have to wait and see if these headlines are true.
We’re Drowning In Noise
If the average person spends 75 percent of their time online, how do you cut through? How do you build trust in an age of disinformation, short attention spans and cultural chaos?
Some brands stir controversy on purpose. Look at Balenciaga, who leaned into scandal to stay top of mind. It’s risky, but effective. Others, like Bud Light or Elon Musk, have learned the hard way that virtue signalling without authenticity will backfire.
Audiences crave simplicity. That’s why people still flock to Trump, Joe Rogan, or MrBeast – who’s gone from gamer to global media force. His Beast Games show on Amazon isn’t just entertainment; it’s a study in modern influence.
And the news is so depressing, 39 percent of people now actively avoid it. Instead, they retreat into echo chambers that reinforce their views – fuelling conspiracy theories and mental health crises. We’re being pulled further into a world of curated unreality.
When Crisis Hits, It Hits Hard
Most PR disasters come down to human error. Ego, poor advice, or just bad decisions. The worst thing a high-profile client can do? Surround themselves with sycophants. What they need is a critical friend – someone willing to deliver hard truths.
Many brands, especially those managed from overseas, don’t understand the UK media’s specific quirks. That’s dangerous. Fear of the tabloids leads to silence – and silence is fatal.
That’s why we created PREEMPT: reputation insurance for individuals. Because when the crisis hits, most people call the lawyers first – and that can make it worse. You need a plan before things go wrong. This isn’t a phase. It’s the new normal. And if anyone on your team still doesn’t get that? Fire them.
What Comes Next?
Print is on the brink. The Daily Mirror now circulates just over 200,000 copies. When one major title folds, the others will follow – and everything will move online.
Even in crisis there’s still hope. Trusted voices – whether in newsletters, podcasts, or new formats – will rise. But disinformation will grow too, and it’s a real threat to democracy. Every political TikTok account was targeted during the last UK election. Big Tech figures like Peter Thiel now openly question whether democracy is even viable.
PR’s new rules. PR is the art of emotional truth in an age of synthetic chaos, there is still room for genuine insights to be heard, you just need to be emotionally translated. Truth, no matter how brilliant, is powerless without emotional propulsion.
The media may be more chaotic than ever, but we can’t afford to look away.
https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/culture/mark-borkowski-gbb-breakfast-2025/
Why Katie Holmes, SJP, Kylie Jenner and other glitzy names are in so many cringe low-budget online ads
New York Post
While the mobile game ads in particular may seem insignificant, strategist Mark Borkowski told The Post contracts for them are very sophisticated, with the more a celeb drives business for the brand, the more they get paid.
“The deals are based on traction — how many people buy into [the game] off of [the celeb’s] recommendation. They’ll get a sizeable upfront payment and then [other kickbacks depending on downloads or subscribers gained]. The metrics are very sophisticated,” Borkowski told The Post.
How Will Smith went from sexy comic hero to ‘loser’
The Telegraph
“Since the slap, Will Smith has been skulking below the cultural waterline waiting for the fog to clear,” says celebrity crisis expert Mark Borkowski. “He hasn’t just stepped back – he’s evaporated into a curated silence, broken only by the occasional Instagram haiku or self-produced moment of contrition. This isn’t reputation rehab, it’s a kind of spiritual quarantine.”
“Now, with new music on the way, he’s tentatively in the zone. Smith’s decades of cultural capital – his charm, box office clout, that carefully-built good guy image – acted as a sort of reputational firewall. It didn’t save him, but it slowed the burn. The real craft begins now,” says Borkowski.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/28/how-will-smith-is-plotting-a-comeback/
What does WH Smith’s new high street name TGJones actually mean?
The Guardian
“This is like Trumpian chaos theory,” says Mark Borkowski, branding and reputation expert. “You want to be talked about, to create massive debate, but what will it evaporate down to? Probably not what the new owners want it to. It sounds like an accountancy practice. This is laughably see-through and we are already talking about it as a desperate pivot.”
Inside Duffy’s mysterious return to spotlight and hidden message that speaks volumes
The Mirror
By her mid 20s, Duffy was a star thanks to her incredible voice. “Motown with a modern stomp, blasted out of every car stereo, gym playlist and mediocre wedding DJ set for about 18 months straight,” said media expert Mark Borkowski (borkowski.co.uk), describing the singer’s huge 2008 hit Mercy. “It was so big it started to feel like it had always existed. She won the BRITs, snagged a Grammy, became the face of Diet Coke and then… vanished. One minute, top of the charts. Next, mythologised in whispers.
“Years later, came the brutal truth: Duffy hadn’t just disappeared. She’d been abducted, drugged, raped. A horror story almost too grotesque to absorb. Suddenly, that disappearance wasn’t enigmatic, it was tragic. Not artistic mystery — survival. Her silence? Deafening in hindsight.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/inside-duffys-mysterious-return-spotlight-34944506
Meghan Markle ‘isn’t trying to be Gwyneth Paltrow’ as she has ‘clever’ Netflix strategy
MSN
PR guru Mark Borkowski believes Meghan is fostering curiosity rather than credibility. Speaking to Hello!, he explained: “This isn’t an identity crisis, it’s a business model. The perpetual reinvention, the strategy vagueness – it’s all by design.”
He further elaborated on her approach: “The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down. She’s not trying to be Goop; she’s trying to be a mystery.
“The product she’s selling? Endless curiosity about Meghan Markle. Maybe she’s not losing control of her narrative, maybe we are.”
Inside Luke Littler’s fortune: Xbox, KP Nuts and Boohooman has seen darts ace pocket MILLIONS – now, a reputation expert reveals why this is only just the beginning
Daily Mail
Mark Borkowski told The Sun that the youngster relatable nature is crucial and he has the potential to grow his wealth much further.
‘He’s young, marketable, and riding the wave of a sport that’s enjoying a broader global audience.
‘Companies in sportswear, gaming, energy drinks, and even mainstream consumer goods will likely be eyeing him as the face of Gen Z darts. Littler’s team needs to carefully curate his brand image.
‘Is he the clean-cut working class prodigy every parent wants their kid to emulate, or the cheeky, maverick talent who draws in younger fans on TikTok and Instagram? Either way, brands will pay a premium for his endorsement.
‘He is a walking billboard for darts gear. The right apparel or equipment sponsor could offer a substantial base sponsorship deal.’
Borkowski added: ‘Esports has shown the value of young stars to gaming brands, and darts has strong crossover appeal with online gaming communities.
Meghan Markle’s handwritten note unmasks her ‘carefully constructed’ persona
Geo Tv
Moreover, PR expert Mark Borkowski suggested that it was a strategic move to shift the narrative amid criticism of Meghan’s Netflix series. He said, “It’s hard not to see this as a strategic play to generate buzz. The fingerprints suggest it’s her peculiar art of controlled chaos.”
“Meghan is at a crossroads. The well of sympathy she once drew from is running dry, and the PR playbook of handwritten notes and ‘authentic’ vulnerability is starting to feel like a well-rehearsed script,” Mark noted.
Meghan Markle’s handwritten note to podcaster is ‘a stunt straight out of a PR playbook’
Daily Mail
Mark Borkowski, one of the UK’s leading publicity gurus and crisis managers, has said while Ms Hirsh’s criticism of the show appears genuine, Meghan’s handwritten note is straight out of ‘the PR playbook’.
‘Meghan is at a crossroads. The well of sympathy she once drew from is running dry, and the PR playbook of handwritten notes and “authentic” vulnerability is starting to feel like a well-rehearsed script. The noise is deafening, but the signal—the compelling reason for her continued relevance is fading’, he said.
Trump has rewritten the pr playbook. The industry either responds or gets left behind
B&T
Trump has rewritten the pr playbook. The industry either responds or gets left behind
British PR doyen Mark Borkowski says US President Donald Trump’s treatment of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is another example of how he has ripped up the communications rule book and the industry either needs to evolve or become irrelevant in a world where noise is currency and words are devalued.
When a Trump-supporting journalist heckled Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not wearing a suit, he showed us all how PR, media and communications have changed forever.
A week on, and I am still thinking about that bizarre, telling moment: JD Vance standing beside Donald Trump as Volodymyr Zelensky, a wartime leader, was questioned, not about war, democracy, or geopolitics, but about why he wasn’t wearing a suit.
It was a question that should have been inconsequential. Instead, it became a symbol of the way the PR game has shifted.
“You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit – do you own a suit?”
The question came from Brian Glenn, a correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a right-wing cable channel that has pushed conspiracy theories about non-citizen voting and serves as a key distribution platform for Steve Bannon’s podcast which is banned from YouTube and Spotify among other mainstream platforms.
Meghan Markle’s true strategy exposed by expert as Duchess makes major changes to brand
MSN
Meghan Markle’s true strategy exposed by expert as Duchess makes major changes to brand
A leading PR specialist has weighed in on the ongoing discussion about Meghan Markle’s public relations tactics, suggesting that her true strategy is a clever form of misdirection. PR guru Mark Borkowski believes that Meghan’s actual plan revolves around keeping the public intrigued by her actions.
Mark shared his insights with HELLO!, stating: “This isn’t an identity crisis, it’s a business model. The perpetual reinvention, the strategy vagueness – it’s all by design.”
He further explained: “The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down. She’s not trying to be Goop; she’s trying to be a mystery.
“The product she’s selling? Endless curiosity about Meghan Markle. Maybe she’s not losing control of her narrative, maybe we are.”
These remarks from Mark come amid renewed interest in Meghan, following the rebranding of her lifestyle brand As Ever, previously known as American Riviera Orchard.
While there has been a mix of scepticism and commendation towards Meghan and Prince Harry’s business ventures since moving to the US, some have lauded their efforts to carve out their own path, reports the Express.
Among those applauding Meghan, particularly for her fashion sense and knack for accessorising, is former Royal milliner and current Dior Creative Director of hats, Stephen Jones.
Inside Meghan Markle’s big relaunch and how Prince Harry really feels about it – exclusive
Hello
Inside Meghan Markle’s big relaunch and how Prince Harry really feels about it – exclusive
“Changing the brand name is just one of the many lessons that come with being a founder,” a sympathetic source tells HELLO!
“This isn’t an identity crisis, it’s a business model,” PR and crisis advisor Mark Borkowski tells us.
“The perpetual reinvention, the strategic vagueness – it’s all by design. The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down. She’s not trying to be Goop; she’s trying to be a mystery. The product she’s selling? Endless curiosity about Meghan Markle.
“Maybe she’s not losing control of her narrative – maybe we are.”
I’m a PR expert and know the truth behind Meghan Markle’s brand reinvention
Express
PR expert Mark Borkowski has suggested Meghan Markle’s strategy has not been about demonstrating a clear plan, but the very opposite A top PR expert has suggested that they know the truth about Meghan Markle’s PR strategy, claiming her actual plan is a very astute form of tactical misdirection.
Said PR expert, Mark Borkowski, believes Meghan’s plan is simply to continue generating curiosity about what she’s doing. Mark suggested Meghan’s aim is to keep people guessing, in order for them to keep talking about her.
He told HELLO!: “This isn’t an identity crisis, it’s a business model. The perpetual reinvention, the strategy vagueness – it’s all by design.
“The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down. She’s not trying to be Goop; she’s trying to be a mystery. The product she’s selling? Endless curiosity about Meghan Markle. Maybe she’s not losing control of her narrative, maybe we are.”
Mark’s comments come on the crest of another wave of Meghan-related curiosity following the relaunch of her lifestyle brand As Ever, a brand formerly known as American Riviera Orchard.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2021754/meghan-markle-as-ever-brand-reinvention-pr-expert
TOM LEONARD: How Alec Baldwin’s redemption roadshow turned into an excruciating TV car crash
Daily mail
Early signs indicate viewers are not rushing to watch The Baldwins (just 680,000 watched on its opening night in the US) and as a PR exercise it has backfired, practitioners in the field told the Mail.
British PR guru Mark Borkowski dubbed the TV series the ‘Baldwin Redemption Tour’, adding: ‘Except, rather than redemption, it’s a slow-motion car crash dressed up as a cosy slice of family life.
‘A truly abysmal piece of self-mythologising disguised as reality TV, designed not to entertain but to rehabilitate.’
He went on: ‘This should have been a careful, patient, delicate exercise in damage control. Instead, it’s a tone-deaf, self-indulgent whinge-fest.’
If the aim was to make Hilaria seem ‘authentic’, meanwhile, it had ‘failed spectacularly’, Borkowski added. ‘PR disasters like this don’t come along every day, but when they do, they are excruciatingly fascinating to watch.’
David Beckham’s desperate bid to impress Royal Family spotted by expert
MSN
David Beckham has once again shown his “unwavering loyalty” towards the Royal Family, claims a PR expert, after his presence on stage in front of world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
PR guru and crisis communications specialist Mark Borkowski certainly thinks Beckham is “signposting” his worthiness for a knighthood, whic many believe that Beckham has been after securing for many years.
He said: “Beckham isn’t merely in the ‘good books’; he’s practically penning a chapter. His unwavering loyalty, conveniently broadcast at a global stage like Davos, is an unmistakable nudge to the Establishment.”
Speaking in an interview in Davos, the ex-England captain gushed about The Prince of Wales. He said: “Whenever the Prince of Wales sends me a message and says ‘I need you to do this’ or ‘be there’, it’s always a ‘yes’.”
Discussing his desire for a knighthood, the PR guru said: “Beckham’s effusive loyalty reads as part genuine admiration, part strategic maneuvering. A knighthood would cement his legacy not just as an icon of sport, but as a true bastion of Britishness.”
In Davos, Beckham, 49, hit the stage with CNBC anchor Sara Eisen for a wide-ranging conversation on his work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and philanthropic commitments.
There was wide speculation before Christmas that Beckham could be bestowed with a knighthood after he made a string of notable public appearances alongside the Royal Family in 2024.
In December, he and wife Victoria also attended their first-ever state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honour of the visiting Emir of Qatar.
Beckham was also confirmed as an official ambassador for King Charles’s charitable organisation, the King’s Foundation in June last year.
Mark also told Express.co.uk, that Beckham knows how to play “the long game”.
He said: “Let’s not forget, relationships with the monarchy are as much about optics as they are about genuine connection.
“Beckham’s willingness to respond to royal requests ‘without hesitation’ showcases his dependability-an appealing trait for the establishment.”
He added: “Whether this bond is forged in private camaraderie or polished for public display is debatable, but Beckham’s dedication to the royal brand cannot be dismissed.”
The humble British icon also relayed to the crowd in Davos that he was “honored” when King Charles asked him to get involved with his foundation and that his mother, Sandra West, “burst into tears” when he relayed the news.
“Because she’s so proud of obviously what I’ve done throughout my career, but she’s also proud. And she knows my grandparents would have been proud that I have played such an important role within the Royal Family and the charities that they have…” Beckham said.
‘Gimme a hug’: Drake’s lover-boy comeback after Kendrick feud
BBC Online
Full of trap-soul beats teasing romantic escapades, Borkowski calls it a “calculated retreat into the familiar, comfortable territory” of the more sensitive “certified lover boy” persona that dominated Drake’s initial breakthrough albums like Thank Me Later and 2011’s Take Care.
“His reputation might be in tatters within certain circles, but commercially, he remains bulletproof,” says Borkowski.
The camouflage from his status as a commercial chameleon means that “despite the clear L and Not Like Us becoming a defining moment in rap history, Drake keeps moving”, says Borkowski.
Regardless, Borkowski is clear on the strategy – Gimme A Hug, like the album, isn’t a response track, it’s an abdication from the fight. A recognition that Drake can still win, just on a different rap turf.
But, ultimately, Borkowski goes back to the bottom line. “His fans aren’t music purists, they’re Drake fans – here for the lifestyle, the vibes, and the brand. And as long as he delivers that, nothing truly sticks.”
The true power move? Securing Live Nation for his rebrand, says Borkowski.
Meghan Markle’s ‘hand may have been forced’ by leaks as Duchess of Sussex ‘rushed’ announcement
GB News
PR expert Mark Borkowski offered a different perspective, telling the Mail: “The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down. She’s not trying to be Goop; she’s trying to be a mystery.
“The product she’s selling? Endless curiosity about Meghan Markle.”
https://www.gbnews.com/royal/meghan-markle-royal-family-latest-as-ever-rebrand-netflix-update
Another brand disaster for Meghan Markle? Duchess’s merchandise empire in crisis as American Riviera Orchard is renamed days before her Netflix launch… with a subtle dig at Royal family
Mail Online
While Mark Borkowski, arguably Britain’s leading PR guru and crisis manager, has said he believes the U-turns are all clever tactics to get publicity.
He told MailOnline: ‘This isn’t an identity crisis. It’s a business model. Meghan isn’t floundering; she’s fluctuating on purpose. The perpetual reinvention, the strategic vagueness—it’s all by design.
‘No, it’s a TV show. No, it’s jam. No, it’s a vague, atmospheric brand called As Ever.
‘The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down. She’s not trying to be Goop; she’s trying to be a mystery. The product she’s selling? Endless curiosity about Meghan Markle. So maybe she’s not losing control of her narrative—maybe we are’.
He added: ‘So, what’s next? A mindful butter knife line? A sustainably sourced candle that smells like “reinvention”? A pop-up experience where guests can personally witness Meghan not answering direct questions? Whatever it is, expect another name change when this one inevitably runs its course’.
Meghan Markle ‘Fuming’ Over Royal Family ‘Stealing’ Her Friends David and Victoria Beckham as She ‘Battles to Make A-List Pals’
Radar Online
PR expert Mark Borkowski claimed David’s actions were part of a long series of calculated efforts to finally earn the knighthood he’s coveted.
Borkowski said: “His unwavering loyalty, conveniently broadcast at a global stage, is an unmistakable nudge to the Establishment.
“A knighthood would cement his legacy not just as an icon of sport, but as a true bastion of Britishness.”
https://radaronline.com/p/meghan-markle-fuming-royal-family-stealing-david-victoria-beckham/