Prince Harry and Meghan Fans ‘Are a Danger’—PR Expert
Newsweek
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle supporters are “part of an army of people on social media” driving conspiracy theories about Princess Kate and are a “danger to truth,” a PR expert has told Newsweek.
The Princess of Wales returned to the limelight at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, after months in which social media users suggested she was missing.
Some conspiracies about Kate and her marriage to Prince William had been pushed on X, formerly Twitter, by accounts that support Harry and Meghan, raising questions about whether the actions of grassroots fans could damage the Sussexes.
Mark Borkowski, PR consultant and author of Improperganda, believes the public can distinguish between the Sussex Squad and the couple themselves—but warned their social media supporters pose a danger to truth.
“No one believes in the depths of this battle that still goes on that either party would want to seize upon health issues to fight a war,” he told Newsweek.
“I think there are some lines of demarcation. Particularly the health of the king and Kate. I don’t think they’re deploying their troops.
“This is more about the danger of foot soldiers who are uncontrollable because they enjoy their own coverage.
“It’s a danger in terms of spreading rumors, in terms of their own fame and their own ego and their own self-determination. A danger to truth.
“They’re part of an army of people on social media who are driving more and more conspiracy theories.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Fans ‘Are a Danger’—PR Expert – Newsweek
Why Meghan Markle Should Beware the ‘Hype’
Newsweek
Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand is still largely a mystery, creating pressure for the “delivery” to match the “hype,” a PR consultant told Newsweek.
American Riviera Orchard hit the public consciousness in March when an Instagram account by the same name appeared unexpectedly purporting to be “by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.”
Celebrities including Kris Jenner, Chrissy Teigen, Mindy Kaling and Tracee Ellis Ross then began posting pictures of themselves with jars of jam branded with the company’s logo.
Three months on, the public still know little about what the company does, leaving the duchess with a choice to make about whether to prioritize speed or quality.
Mark Borkowski, PR consultant and author of Improperganda, told Newsweek though that it was “not just about the timing” and Meghan may be “trying to get products right.”
“The bottom line is, it’s about delivery,” he said. “If there’s all this hype and it’s just a couple of bottles of spring water and a mediocre jam at a high price, then imagine what’s going to come down on them from a great height.
“They’re banking on curiosity. We’re asking questions, we’re waiting, so the longer they don’t tell us what it is, the greater the expectation on what its going to be.”
Phillip Schofield takes his dog Alfie for a walk with a friend as rumours surrounding his comeback deepen after TV pals showed their support
Daily Mail
It comes after Phillip was snapped in London in early May looking relaxed as he laughed and joked with close pal Dec and his wife Ali Astall.
He had reportedly just enjoyed a four-hour dinner with ITV’s golden boy at a restaurant close to their homes when they were spotted in hysterics.
Phillip followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of Alfie watching Formula One.
Daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as This Morning co-host Josie Gibson raced to like the post within minutes in a clear sign of support.
And his beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father.
PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together.
Calling him a rare talent, Mr Borkowski said: ‘He’s testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.’
Phillip told the BBC in an emotional interview last June the affair had finished his career and revealed that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal.
Rishi’s Sky TV blunder says more about class than cash
Telegraph
This latest appearance was in the ITV interview for which he fled the D-Day battlefields of Normandy, attracting much criticism in the process. Presenter Paul Brand asked Sunak about his wealth and whether he’s ever had to go without. He squirmed, laughed nervously and racked his brains for any hint of hardship. “There were all sorts of things that I would’ve wanted as a kid that I couldn’t have,” he replied unconvincingly. “Famously, Sky TV. That was something that we never had growing up.”
“It was clearly a bid to look humble but it came across as so inauthentic,” says PR consultant Mark Borkowski. “Sunak’s messaging and soundbites are awful. Every move he makes proves how out of touch he is.”
“The great British public allows people to make mistakes in communications. They can happen to anybody,” Borkowski adds. “But Sunak’s campaign is blunder after blunder. From the rain-soaked announcement, to the Titanic, to D-Day – it just gets worse. I don’t know who’s advising him but they’re deluded. I’ve never witnessed such an embarrassing string of gaffes.”
Leaving aside the PM’s strange use of “famously” – how well-known does Sunak think his life story is? – he ignored the part that old-fashioned class division might have played in his family’s decision.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/12/rishi-sunak-sky-tv-blunder-general-election-2024/
Princess Kate Health Update Would Stop ‘Crazy’ Theories: PR Experts
Newsweek
At the same time, any articles that do not fit their particular speculative take can simply be dismissed as part of the conspiracy.
However, the key benchmark is not so much the existence of conspiracy theories as whether the public actually pays attention to them.
Therefore, the palace may be most concerned by the apparent recent increase in views on X posts.
Mark Borkowski, a U.K.-based PR consultant and author of Improperganda, told Newsweek the palace should be “very aggressive about this.”
“In terms of the speculation,” he said, “I’d be getting really ahead of it and saying, ‘leave this woman alone.’
“I’d be using various friends of the royal family to be saying, ‘why should this begin again?’ ‘Be very clear to say, ‘when the time is right we’ll be making an announcement.'”
“The longer it goes on, obviously more and more people will work out there might be a degree of severity, but this is a family you’re talking about—not just an appendage of the state,” Borkowski added.
“I do feel for them on this occasion, but all the time it goes back to how this whole story was set up. You’re always working backward to the point you didn’t handle this as well as you should have done at the beginning.”
Princess Kate Health Update Would Stop ‘Crazy’ Theories: PR Experts | NewsweekHow do we feel when leaders cry?
BBC Online
Mark Borkowski is a crisis PR consultant who works with international celebrities and big corporations.
He said if he was advising Mr Gething following his public cry he would say “don’t hide it, look to exploit it but don’t lean too heavily on it and find better ways of expressing authenticity”.
He said the British public had become more open to seeing emotion from leaders.
“Politicians once upon a time had to show strength and zero vulnerability… but we are human, we are vulnerable, we make mistakes and the world accepts that there is no perfection – but there is honesty,” he said.
He said the issue now was “how to move forward”, adding: “We always say there is an opportunity in a crisis.”
The Brits Invade US Newsrooms With a ‘Killer Instinct’ and Fleet Street Ethics
WRAP.PRO
“In media, everybody is floundering. As legacy media takes continual hits, everybody is looking for the magic ticket that appeals to consumers and advertisers,” said Mark Borkowski, a London-based British publicity, image and crisis consultant, told TheWrap. “It is about the perception of who is successful, and therefore doing something similar is going to lead to similar success.”
The Brits Invade U.S. Newsrooms with Fleet Street Ethics | thewrap.com
This Campaign Proves Voting Is Hot AF
LBBOnline
Mark Borkowski, founder of Borkowski PR Agency said, “Elections in the UK bring out the best in the great British media. Just Vote unites the passion and innovation of long time friend and partner Dale Vince, with the creative genius of Saatchi & Saatchi, who are always leading the zeitgeist of behavioural change. To generate cut through amongst the noise of all that is vying for the hearts, minds and eyeballs of our young people, is not an easy task, but one that it has never been more important to pursue.”
Marcus Rashford’s actions in and out of the pitch could have cost him the 2024 Euro
www.ohmymag.co.uk
In January 2024, Marcus Rashford was caught in a scandal when he was seen at a club ‘determined to get drunk’ before calling in sick the next day for training at Manchester United.
According to Daily Mail, witnesses explained that Rashford was ‘downing shots of Limoncello and tequila and later passing out fully clothed at 3am in front of a Belfast barmaid partying with him.’
Though this behaviour would seem pretty normal for a young man in his twenties, the fact that it is coming from Marcus Rashford is concerning some people. Talking to Daily Mail PR guru Mark Borkowski, explained: “something is seriously wrong”
According to Borkowski, Rashford’s recent actions are reminiscent of what happened to other adored footballers: David Beckham and Wayne Rooney. He continued:
“Marcus was a golden boy but the constant pressure perhaps of not performing on the pitch and mental health issues takes its toll”
HIT THE BULLSEYE Who is Luke Littler’s girlfriend Eloise Milburn and did the couple meet playing FIFA online?
The Sun
Luke, whose nickname is “The Nuke”, is the reigning world youth darts champion as well as the 2024 Premier League.Darts champ.
He rose to prominence at the 2023/24 PDC World Championships, kicking off the contest with one of the greatest debuts in the history of the sport as he beat Christian Kist in the first round.
PR expert Mark Borkowski told SunSport that if Littler’s astonishing success continues, he could become the “Wayne Rooney of darts”.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/25219272/luke-littler-girlfirend-eloise/
Phillip Schofield takes his puppy Alfie for a walk after making a ‘tepid’ return to the limelight as he ventured back to Instagram following year-long hiatus
Daily Mail
Phillip followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of Alfie watching Formula One.
Daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as This Morning co-host Josie Gibson raced to like the post within minutes in a clear sign of support.
And his beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father.
PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together.
Calling him a rare talent, Mr Borkowski said: ‘He’s testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.’
HIT THE BULLSEYE Who is Luke Littler’s girlfriend Eloise Milburn and did the couple meet playing FIFA online?
The Sun
Littler, whose nickname is “The Nuke”, is the reigning world youth darts champion.
He rose to prominence at the 2023/24 PDC World Championships, kicking off the contest with one of the greatest debuts in the history of the sport as he beat Christian Kist in the first round.
PR expert Mark Borkowski told SunSport that if Littler’s astonishing success continues, he could become the “Wayne Rooney of darts”.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/25219272/luke-littler-girlfirend-eloise/
Josie Gibson and Holly Willoughby agree to ‘something of a mutual pact’
MSN
The source added: “They have something of a pact to look out for one another and make sure they’re both being treated with the respect they deserve.” Josie has reportedly found herself at the centre of a bidding war between ITV and BBC, who want her for Strictly Come Dancing.
But ITV are keen to secure her for I’m A Celebrity this year. Mark Borkowski told OK! magazine: “Television is very, very fast-moving. You don’t sit around and wait because then you’ll become the This Morning person. So if ITV believes in Josie and they’re giving her the options, it’s the right time for her to break away.
“She supported Holly. But she’s got a limited shelf life to prove to the world that she can do it by herself and she’s not going to just be a wingwoman for Holly.”
Meghan Markle told the four key moves she must make to win over UK public as reputation in tatters
Daily Mail
It makes sense for her and the brand to have a local squad supporting her as this is all about home made produce and a sense of community.
‘With the success of Suits on Netflix and now with the BBC buying it I think she’s missing a trick by not engaging all her old co stars and wedding guests to help support the brand as it launches as this would boost the brand and create demand.’
Meanwhile public relations expert Mark Borkowski said Meghan’s updated circle of friends proves she still has ‘profound influence’ but added she has started to ‘curate’ friends that fit her new ‘narrative’.
The PR wiz said: ‘Meghan’s circle proves she has a profound influence and will continue. The lineup of names surrounding her in this endeavor certainly speaks volumes about her evolving inner circle.
‘Mindy Kaling and Tracee Ellis Ross, it’s evident she’s curating a circle of influencers and creatives, signaling a shift towards a more culturally resonant sphere.
‘As for those left out in the cold, it’s a curious mix of former confidants and acquaintances who perhaps didn’t quite fit the new narrative. It’s a strategic move, undoubtedly showcasing Meghan’s knack for reinvention and remaining in the news cycle.’
Meghan Markle told the four key moves she must make to win over UK public as reputation in tatters
Mirror
Now, a team of PR professionals have offered their suggestions on what Meghan’s next steps should be following the soft launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Reveal the ‘real person behind all the gossip’
Mark Borkowski, a crisis PR consultant and author of The Fame Formula, has stated that rebranding the duchess to appeal to British audiences is “one of the most difficult jobs in PR… second only perhaps to doing PR for Prince Andrew”. However, he added that Meghan needs to demonstrate some “humility” and “really surprise” people if she hopes to win them over.
Speaking to the Telegraph, a source counseled: “Sometimes less is more. Meghan seems to be more about the explosion of flashbulbs and grandstanding than she is about the soft and gentle touch. If I was advising her, I’d tell her to do some charity work undercover, then she’d surprise people if the things she was involved in turned out to be a great success.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/meghan-markle-told-four-key-32674623
Four key moves Meghan Markle ‘must make’ as reputation with UK public down the drain
Meghan Markle needs to show the ‘real person behind all the gossip’
Mark Borkowski, crisis PR consultant and the author of the book The Fame Formula has claimed that rebranding the duchess to appeal to British audiences is “one of the most difficult jobs in PR… second only perhaps to doing PR for Prince Andrew”.
But he added that Meghan needs to show some “humility” and “really surprise” people if she wants to win them over.
He told the Telegraph: “Sometimes less is more. Meghan seems to be more about the explosion of flashbulbs and grandstanding than she is about the soft and gentle touch. If I was advising her, I’d tell her to do some charity work undercover, then she’d surprise people if the things she was involved in turned out to be a great success.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1892144/meghan-markle-reputation-uk-public
Who’s made the cut for Meghan’s new Montecito inner circle?
MailOnline
Meanwhile public relations expert Mark Borkowski said Meghan’s updated circle of friends proves she still has ‘profound influence’ but added she has started to ‘curate’ friends that fit her new ‘narrative’.
How to solve a problem like Meghan’s appalling public image
The Telegraph
As The Telegraph reported earlier this week, Meghan and Harry’s company, Archewell Foundation, has hired Charlie Gipson as its new director of communications. Gipson, who has previously worked for brands such as Mars, Cadbury and Domino’s, will serve as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s main point of contact for all UK and European media.
It’s the first time Meghan, 42 and Harry, 39, have hired a permanent member of staff who is based in the UK since 2020’s ‘Meg-xit’, and it could indicate more time spent back on this side of the pond for the Sussex family. But turning Meghan’s reputation around here will be quite some task.
Mark Borkowski, the crisis PR consultant, says he’s not surprised that the Duchess has taken on an expert in consumer products to help “sell her wares like jam”, but thinks that rebranding Meghan to appeal to British audiences is “one of the most difficult jobs in PR…. second only perhaps to doing PR for Prince Andrew”. Yikes.
Harry’s journey to Independence Day: The careful choreography of the Prince’s decision to list US as his primary residence with Meghan for the first time as he FINALLY cuts ties with Britain
Daily Mail
Harry’s decision to update his official business records in Britain and declare that his home is in the US is the culmination of years of creeping towards America being the ‘home’ of Harry and Meghan’s brand, he said.
Mr Borkowski said: ‘There’s an honesty about the declaration. It’s fascinating and I guess the story has become bigger because of the idea that somehow there is a residency issue and this declaration that America is now the home of the brand.
‘None of this surprises me. I think that the endeavour that they’ve set out over a period of time is obviously to establish a commercial model.
‘But sooner or later, they’ve got to get beyond the hype and all those negative headlines and establish a commercial vehicle. They cannot maintain their status and their lifestyle without having something that is to getting them the type of money that they need to keep going’, Mr Borkowski said.
‘So everything at the moment seems to be commercially biased. This deal with Netflix. They have given them three projects. That’s last chance saloon.
‘They are under the microscope, which makes it very difficult to succeed because there’s more talk about failure than there is success. They need some success stories. All eyes will be on their commercial viability’.
Meghan Markle slammed for ‘weird strategy’ as PR expert issues urgent warning
Express
A PR expert has labelled Meghan Markle’s latest marketing strategy as “weird” and “lacking authenticity”.
The Duchess of Sussex launched the first product from her new business venture ‘American Riviera Orchard’ and sent 50 people including friends and influencers a jar of the jam – but a PR expert has since labelled the strategy as “weird”.
Friends of Meghan Markle excitedly posted the jam jar alongside a basket of lemons on social media, which had a strawberry jam jar wrapped in a white cloth with her new branding clearly displayed.
Commenting on the look of the item, PR guru Mark Borkowski told the Times: “It’s either hubris or else a very weird strategy. What’s in it? What does it taste like? There’s no story there, nothing on the back, just a label – and even that looks like it’s peeling off.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1889524/meghan-markle-pr-strategy-expert-urgent-warning