Why has Sydney Sweeney become the most divisive woman in Hollywood?
L:ondon Evening Standard
The tug of war yielded no clear winners and only one clear loser: Sydney Sweeney. Or had she really lost? She was still at the centre of the conversation, after all. This isn’t the only time Sweeney has unwittingly become the centre of a political storm. The actress was lambasted by the Left last year after she attended a birthday party for her mother where guests were pictured in Make America Great Again-styled caps. This, combined with her “All American” good looks, made her a pretty little pin-up for Right-wing Americans. And while Sweeney did hit out at “assumptions” that were made about her political stance after the pictures received a backlash, she stayed conspicuously clear of disclosing her own politics.
“It’s absolutely a tactic,” says celebrity PR expert Mark Borkowski, “because as soon as you disclose that in the age of culture wars, you are cannon fodder.”
Borkowski and Gamble both compare this apolitical side of Sweeney to Taylor Swift, who famously took a long time to disclose her political stance around the 2016 election, despite incessant pleas from her fans to denounce Donald Trump. At the time, PRs and critics claimed it was due to Swift wanting to capitalise on her fandom being split between both camps, and not wanting to lose half her audience.
Meghan’s new lifestyle range launches with … strawberry jam
The Times
“It’s either hubris or else very weird strategy,” says Mark Borkowski, the PR guru and author of The Fame Formula. “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.thetimes.co.uk/article/megha-american-riviera-orchard-strawberry-jam-frxq3psj5
Meghan Markle’s ‘soft launch’ of American Riviera Orchard jam is ‘weird strategy’ that ‘lacks authenticity’ and is ‘clear karaoke’ of King’s Duchy Originals range
Daily Mail
Parenting campaigner Kelly McKee Zajfen, Argentine socialite Delfina Balquier and stylist Tracy Robbins are the three to have so far posted a picture of it on Instagram.
But PR guru Mark Borkowski said: ‘It’s either hubris or else 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.’
Meghan could have found inspiration from her father-in-law King Charles III who began selling products such as jam from the Duchy of Cornwall estate in the 1990s.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13318777/meghan-markle-american-riviera-orchard-jam-launch.html
King Charles III to honor Netflix’s Ted Sarandos — despite Harry, Meghan and ‘The Crown’
Marin Independent Journey
Netflix also produced the less popular but generally well-regarded “Heart of Invictus,” which focused on Harry’s international games for wounded service men and women. But other projects were shelved or are nowhere close to production, The Wrap said.
“Taking on Harry and Meghan was a great coup for Netflix,” U.K.-based public relations and branding expert Mark Borkowski told The Wrap. “It probably got a lot of eyeballs and subscriptions, but they (Harry and Markle) never delivered.”
While in the audience at the Golden Globe Awards in January, Sarandos was put on the spot for Netflix’s relationship with Harry and Meghan. In his monologue, host Jo Koy said that best actress nominee Imelda Staunton had done such a good job playing Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown” that Harry had called her to ask for money.
Inside Taylor Swift’s ‘unconventional climb’ to billionaire status
Hello
As for Miss Americana, she became the brand – an “unconventional, unexpected, and utterly mesmerising” transformation, Mark Borkowski, brand expert and founder of PR agency Borkowski, tells HELLO! And it didn’t happen by accident.
“She’s not just a singer; she’s a narrative weaver, a community builder, and a master of the art of connection,” says Mark. “Her wealth isn’t just in dollars but in the devotion of her followers, the Swifties.”
Tories delete social media post plugging Britain with a US jet, a Canadian car and a defeated football team
The Guardian
Dragging the king and the England football team into politics was a bad idea, said Mark Borkowski, a PR consultant and author.
“This says a lot about how no strategic thought goes into social media,” he said. “It is a medium for clickbait and dogwhistle politics. The mistake most political parties and MPs make is that they don’t think before they tweet. Now dragging the king into a political debate indicates how foolish and thoughtless this is.”
Borkowski compared the move with the fact-free attacks made by Donald Trump during his presidential campaigns.
“There’s a generation bewitched by this sort of attitude, a Trumpian way of using social media. People see this is as a sketchpad for ideas about propaganda, but these aren’t disappearing tweets. It just shows a lack of strategy.
“It also indicates how bloody the battle is going to be running up to the election. We’re in a phony war situation now, but there is going to be full-on mudslinging and really dirty fighting on social media platforms. So if this is the team at Tory party central office being deployed at this stage, God help us for the future.”
How much is Elon Musk to blame for Tesla sales slip?
The Guardian
Musk may have lost the title of world’s richest person, but his global fame, sustained in part by his divisive online persona, is undiminished. Mark Borkowski, a PR consultant and author, said the Tesla boss exemplified the “PT Barnum-esque” approach to modern entrepreneurship.
“Everything in this cult of personality is fragile,” Borkowski said, but added that Musk had proven before that he can “re-spawn” when he encountered difficulties.
HIT THE BULLSEYE Who is Luke Littler’s girlfriend Eloise Milburn and did the couple meet playing FIFA?
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/
Will Kate Middleton and Prince William Share a Birthday Photo for Prince Louis Following Controversy?
The People
With the legitimacy of images released by the royal family now called into question, London-based public relations and crisis communications expert Mark Borkowski tells PEOPLE that such distrust is “damning” for the royal brand.
“The difficulty now is because there is so little information about what’s happening to Kate, if they were going to project things are all normal in this way — with a photo that is now deemed to be fake — it is pretty damning about the floundering and the poor decision making that’s going on,” Borkowski said about the Mother’s Day shot.
What Kate video tells us about royal strategy
MSN
Charles Anson, former press secretary to Elizabeth II, told the BBC that “getting the right sort of sequence of information is a very difficult thing to do in the internet age”. But the princess’s video “was absolutely right in terms of telling the public at the same time as creating a bit of an area of protection for the family”.
But there’s no doubt there has been real shock at how virulent and unkind social media and some global media outlets have been over the past months. As several people with an understanding of Palace public relations put it to me, it’s been the worst example of it ever.
PR guru Mark Borkowski says communications for the royals is “the most difficult job in the world… you have good days and bad days”, but that the princess’ statement “settles everything for a moment”.
“They’ve managed to take back control.” The Princess of Wales’s video has prompted a huge outpouring of love and sympathy across the UK and further.
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/health/other/what-kate-video-tells-us-about-royal-strategy/ar-BB1knV9t
Recent reports have claimed Bianca’s family in Australia are concerned that the model is being forced to parade herself in the revealing outfits
The Sun
However it was recently claimed that Bianca is more than on board with Kanye’s plans.
PR Guru Mark Borkowski told Dailymail.com: “Kanye understands outrage and is trying to break the Internet.
“I think a lot of people are starting to feel rather uncomfortable, despite everything he’s said, about that he feels he can do whatever he wants with his partner.
“There is a line here drawn between those who believe this is control and those who believe that this woman is complicit and fully involved with this freak show.”
What Catherine, Princess of Wales, says between the lines in her video
Washington Post
Catherine’s prerecorded video also directly credited its broadcaster and filmer, BBC, perhaps a “visible sign it was done independently,” Hewson said.
The video is a far cry from Buckingham Palace’s brief statement in February announcing King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. British publicist Mark Borkowski said the grander gesture was necessary: “If it had been a statement, no one would have believed it, and many of the crazy rumors would have carried on percolating.”
Catherine’s video doesn’t mention the online obsession with her whereabouts, and Borkowski believes that’s on purpose: “They don’t want to send any signals out that they were influenced by this noise on social media.”
But she does repeatedly speak about her family and their needs after what she calls “an incredibly tough couple of months.”
What Kate video tells us about royal strategy
BBC News
But there’s no doubt there has been real shock at how virulent and unkind social media and some global media outlets have been over the past months. As several people with an understanding of Palace public relations put it to me, it’s been the worst example of it ever.
PR guru Mark Borkowski says communications for the royals is “the most difficult job in the world… you have good days and bad days”, but that the princess’ statement “settles everything for a moment”.
“They’ve managed to take back control.” The Princess of Wales’s video has prompted a huge outpouring of love and sympathy across the UK and further.
Flood of support, calls for privacy after Princess Catherine’s cancer news
The Washington Post
British publicist Mark Borkowski said in an interview Saturday it had been a “roller coaster” for royal PR, but the video was proof the royal family remains “a very powerful institution, it has an ability to regain control.”
Borkowski said the carefully made video released by Catherine was “extraordinary” and a “tidal wave” sweeping away all of the conspiracy theorists and doubters. “One has to praise the poor woman for showing so much dignity and grace.”
He noted that Catherine and other female members of the royal family, including “Margaret, Fergie, Diana,” traditionally contended with more “misogynistic treatment by the media” than their male counterparts. Borkowski was referring to Princess Margaret; Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York; and Princess Diana, the late mother of Catherine’s husband.
“You have to be part-fashion model, part-soft politician to be a woman in the royal family,” Borkowski said. “They have to work harder … and Kate is box-office royal family on the front page of every tabloid in the world.”
While Charles was able to tell the nation about his cancer diagnosis in February via a statement from Buckingham Palace, Borkowski noted that Catherine had to be seen.
“If it had been a statement, no one would have believed it and maybe all the crazy rumors would have carried on percolating. Now, there’s a massive full stop … and a clear call for privacy.”
There is some online debate over whether Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States, should return or take up more responsibilities amid a slimmed down senior royal family. Borkowski said he thought it was “very, very unlikely” the couple would return from California. “The wedge is too deep,” he said. “That would just generate so much negative publicity.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/23/kate-middleton-cancer-support-privacy/
Will Princess Kate video put an end to royal communications mess?
The Washington Post
Mark Borkowski, a public relations and crisis consultant, told The Post that the palace communications team was “struggling with the age of social media where any news vacuum is filled with the most ridiculous theories … like ‘Kate is dead’ or ‘it’s being covered up’ or that she was ‘abducted by aliens.’ That one got a lot of traction.”
“They are trying to be semi-transparent … offering a little bit of vulnerability, a little bit of information,” he said. But by being “only slightly more open, they allowed the vacuum to be filled.”
He predicted that after Catherine is seen at an official engagement, the royal communications teams will be “having the last laugh when all these ridiculous theories are thrown into the dustbin.” Still, he said: “Just like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster as well as flat earth brigade, there will be folk who will believe the future Queen is a double. It’s a sorry mess.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/18/kate-middleton-video-shopping/
The Princess of Wales controversy has only gotten worse
ABC7 New York
At the same time, the palace hasn’t responded to calls for an unedited version of the Mother’s Day photo, or provided more information on Kate’s whereabouts.
Mark Borkowski, a London-based public relations and crisis communications expert, told People that the royal family’s long-standing culture of silence is not doing them any favors when it comes to quelling conspiracies about Kate’s absence.
RELATED: Pressure grows for Princess of Wales to speak out
“The difficulty now is because there is so little information about what’s happening to Kate, if they were going to project things are all normal in this way – with a photo that is now deemed to be fake – it is pretty damning about the floundering and the poor decision making that’s going on,” Borkowski said.
https://abc7ny.com/where-is-kate-middleton-today-news-catherine-princess-of-wales/14539414/
Royal Family won’t weigh into ridiculous Kate Middleton speculation as palace sticks to ‘never explain’ policy, William guards privacy
Ska News Australia
And while the royal family has long abided by the public-relations motto “Never complain, never explain,” branding expert Mark Borkowski believes that isn’t holding up so well today.
“They’ve failed to navigate the treacherous waters of social media, sticking to traditional tactics,” he said. “The blunt truth is, in the realm of celebrity, privacy is a myth.
“Even before the recent crisis, [William] has been adamant about keeping royal duties separate from family time. But this ‘half in, half out’ approach has clearly faltered.”
Borkowski added that, had the palace originally been clearer about what exactly Kate’s abdominal surgery was, it might have violated her privacy — but it might also have kept questions from spinning out of control.
“There might be sympathy, maybe even understanding, but secrecy? Forget about it.”
And he believes the family is not being more forthcoming now because “They don’t want to be accused of pandering to the conspiracy mongers
Prince William’s message about Kate: ‘When she is ready she will come back’
The News International
The Prince of Wales has been under scrutiny for his deafening silence towards speculations around the princess’ whereabouts following abdominal surgery in January.
Veteran British crisis manager Mark Borkowski spoke to the Daily Beast about William and Kate’s strategy to tune out the noise in the wake of the current noises.
He also addressed the mom of three’s recent outing at the farmer’s market in Windsor, which was reported by onlookers without substantial evidence.
“I think that a lot of what you are seeing online in reaction to the story about her being out and about at the weekend is people who are disappointed to find out that she has not been abducted by aliens or chained up in a dungeon in Windsor Castle,” he told the outlet.
“She slipped out under the radar this weekend,” Mark affirmed, noting: “William’s message is: I am putting my family first; we said Kate was not available till after Easter, that’s still the case, and when she is ready she will come back.
“Admittedly, my instinct would have been to come out and do something spectacular to throw all the naysayers into a ditch, but William is doing it his way—trying to protect his family’s privacy—and whether that is right or wrong we will soon find out.”
Reason behind Palace’s silence over Kate Middleton’s conspiracy theories, ‘William is worried..’
Hindustan Times
Amid all the claims from various sources and insiders, the Palace and Kate will take things one step at a time, without haste. Traditionally, the royal family has adhered to the old adage “never complain, never explain,” but branding consultant Mark Borkowski says this isn’t as effective as it used to be.
“They’ve failed to navigate the treacherous waters of social media, sticking to traditional tactics,” he said. “The blunt truth is, in the realm of celebrity, privacy is a myth. Borkowski claims. “Even before the recent crisis, [William] has been adamant about keeping royal duties separate from family time. But this ‘half in, half out’ approach has clearly faltered.”
Scrutiny follows Bianca Censori as she wears bold outfits in public
Geo News
Bianca Censori may not be so innocent as reports suggest that she was forced by Kanye West to wear bold outfits — but she might be on board for the shocking fashion choices, a PR guru claimed.
Top PR expert Mark Borkowski believes the Donda hitmaker is borrowing the publicity trick from Kim Kardashian’s playbook that involved being in the news for a variety of reasons — but the Chicago rapper is overdoing it.
“Kanye understands outrage and is trying to break the Internet. I think a lot of people are starting to feel rather uncomfortable, despite everything he’s said, about that he feels he can do whatever he wants with his partner,” the expert shared.
However, the PR strategist claims that Yeezy architecture may not have any qualms about following Ye’s orders on managing her fashion choices.
“There is a line here drawn between those who believe this is control and those who believe that this woman is complicit and fully involved with this freak show.”
“But it is a weird freak show that everybody is engaging with and some are enjoying these quite explicit photos.”
To remain relevant in public, Mark said Kanye is using Bianca’s body, “I think we’ll be looking back at this if a rift appears between them as something that is something exploitative. Some of the dresses are built for craving for publicity.”
https://www.geo.tv/latest/535177-scrutiny-follows-bianca-censori-as-she-wears-bold-outfits-in-public