Spin machine: reputation and media experts are turning to TikTok
Spears Magazine
Just as more tech-enabled amateur sleuths are looking into the actions and statements of those in the public eye, TikTok provides a forum for influencers to join the conversation about their favourite public figures. This can be seen as a continuation of a trend that developed in the Nineties, says Tim Maltin, founder of London-based firm Maltin PR. ‘Arguably, Tony Blair was one of the first prime ministers to govern by media,’ says Maltin. ‘One always remembers certain phrases like “Education, education, education”.’
But soon after the method increased in prominence, so did the internet – and, with it, opportunities to dissect the work of figures such as Blair’s director of communications, Alastair Campbell. This left the public ‘more able to recognise’ the ‘craft of the spin doctor’, says PR guru Mark Borkowski, who, around the turn of the millennium, wrote a column for the Guardian’s website analysing notable PR manoeuvres. Campbell stepped back from the high-profile press secretary post for a role running communications and strategy behind the scenes, before events caught up with him and he resigned in 2003 over the Iraq weapons/David Kelly affair.
But in and of itself, knowing that a public figure is making use of PR advisers doesn’t count against them, Borkowski says. ‘I don’t think anybody in the world out there doesn’t think someone significant hasn’t got PR help. Everybody knows that every celebrity worth their salt has got a publicist.’
The best reputation managers 2024
Spears Magazine
Reputations can take a lifetime to build and hours to lose. These are the experts trusted with supporting HNW clients
The best reputation managers 2024
This year, UHNWs will need specialists who know about politics like never before. One savvy operator at the forefront of this work is PR guru Mark Borkowski. He retains his Top Flight place.
https://spearswms.com/wealth/reputation-managers-best-high-net-worth-individuals/
Why no one can tune out Taylor Swift
Tortois
Like her or not, she transcends pop. The PR guru Mark Borkowski says there hasn’t been a star like her since John Lennon or Princess Diana; someone who occupies “a position of obsession”, now “hugely amplified by the splinternet, which means almost everybody is seeing something about her almost every day”.
To wit: there are eleven months left in her “Eras” tour, already the highest-grossing musical bonanza of all time having banked her $1 billion last year. Anyone hoping to tune her out in those eleven months probably hopes in vain.
https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2024/02/02/why-no-one-can-tune-out-taylor-swift/
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry warned of severe outcomes if royal rift grows
The News International
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been warned of severe outcomes if their rift with the senior members of the royal family grows in 2024.
As per The Express, PR expert Mark Borkowski said that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should utilise 2024 in order to rebuild their positive image among the public.
He shared, “2024 is a pivotal year for them. They need to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic because what they’re doing is clearly not working.”
Where did it all go wrong for Marcus Rashford?
All Football
PR guru Mark Borkowski, who has managed crises for several high profiles footballers, told MailOnline that ‘something is seriously wrong’ behind the scenes.
He said: ‘We saw this back in the day with the Rooneys and the Beckhams. Marcus was a golden boy but the constant pressure perhaps of not performing on the pitch and mental health issues takes its toll.
‘These players were expected to be role models, often when they’re not. They are young people who have got huge fame and glory when they have been at top of their game but it can prove too much.
‘Marcus has a team around him but this stems from something that is not right in the club and with his game. It’s escapism and about hedonism, which then becomes a story. One hopes someone gets hold of this guy because he is an amazing role model, but perhaps not at the moment’.
https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/EPL/Where-did-it-all-go-wrong-for-Marcus-Rashford/3288180
Who is Luke Littler’s girlfriend Eloise Milburn?
The Sun
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/
Where did it all go wrong for Marcus Rashford?
Daily Mail
PR guru Mark Borkowski, who has managed crises for several high profiles footballers, told MailOnline that ‘something is seriously wrong’ behind the scenes.
He said: ‘We saw this back in the day with the Rooneys and the Beckhams. Marcus was a golden boy but the constant pressure perhaps of not performing on the pitch and mental health issues takes its toll.
‘These players were expected to be role models, often when they’re not. They are young people who have got huge fame and glory when they have been at top of their game but it can prove too much.
Holly Willoughby’s Dancing on Ice return ‘to spark major career change’ as she overhauls ‘Queen of Daytime TV’ image
The Sun
PR guru Mark Borkowski said it must have been incredibly nerve-wracking for the mother-of-three to make her return to Dancing on Ice.
He said: “She’s been through a lot and it was good to see her back on the screen connecting with viewers.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/25365197/holly-willoughby-dancing-on-ice-return-stephen-mulhern/
Why celebs are over keeping their private lives private
Vogue
“PDA has generated significant media coverage throughout history, helping celebrities stay in the spotlight and secure more opportunities,” explains Mark Borkowski, author of The Fame Formula: How Hollywood’s Fixers, Fakers and Star Makers Created the Celebrity Industry, which is being updated later this year. “Using their own channels, like Instagram, for curating imagery or showcasing their relationships allows celebrities to control the narrative surrounding their personal lives, ensuring they have a say in how their relationships are portrayed in the media.”Text content
Harry and Meghan ‘struggling to compete’ with Prince William and Kate amid warning
The Mirror
This comes after we reported that PR expert Mark Borkowski said that the Sussexes need to do something “positive”. He said: “2024 is a pivotal year for them. They need to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic because what they’re doing is clearly not working.”
Mark is also said to have given some advice to the couple, with him revealing the one thing that they can do to make sure 2024 is a better year. The PR guru said: “One thing is clear: Harry and Meghan can’t have another year of taking swipes and talking about issues which don’t resonate. It’s time to build something more positive.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/harry-meghan-struggling-compete-prince-31824636
Harry and Meghan warned they need to do ‘something positive’ to ‘recover’ image
The Mirror
According to The Express, PR expert Mark Borkowski has said that the couple needs to do something dramatic in order to make a comeback. He said: “2024 is a pivotal year for them. They need to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic because what they’re doing is clearly not working.”
Mark is also said to have given some advice to the couple, with him revealing the one thing that they can do to make sure 2024 is a better year. The PR guru said: “One thing is clear: Harry and Meghan can’t have another year of taking swipes and talking about issues which don’t resonate. It’s time to build something more positive.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/harry-meghan-warned-need-something-31820693
Meghan Markle ‘furious’ at the royal family over ‘different rules for her’
New York Post
“Something is beginning to unwind at the heart of Meghan and Harry,” PR expert Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail earlier this month.
“I think 2024 is going to be seismic, either because they’re going to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic or it’s going to be the undoing of the brand.”
“It can only go one or two ways. It can’t stay where it is at the moment. Because it’s clearly not working,” he added.
Meghan Markle is ‘furious’: duchess is upset with the royal family and their different rules for her
The Royal Observer
Something is beginning to unwind at the heart of Meghan and Harry,” PR expert Mark Borkowski dished. “I think 2024 is going to be seismic, either because they’re going to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic, or it’s going to be the undoing of the brand.”
He added: “It can only go one or two ways. It can’t stay where it is at the moment. Because it’s clearly not working.”
https://www.theroyalobserver.com/p/meghan-markle-furious-royal-family-different-rules-for-her
Meghan Markle’s values simply haven’t delivered
Geo News
Meghan Markle’s values and plans from Hollywood have just come under fire. All of this has been brought to light by PR expert Mark Borkowski.
He weighed in on everything during a most recent piece for the Guardian. In the piece Mr Borkowski touched at length about Meghan’s intentions for Hollywood. Read More: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle planning to break silence over royal race row.
Referencing that and her recent public appearances Mr Borkowski said, “Look, if you’re appearing on red carpets and premieres, that means you’re putting yourself on show for the type of people who might cast you, book you, use you.”
“That’s what Meghan’s been about,” he added.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/525480-meghan-markles-values-simply-havent-delivered
Meghan Markle scrambling for work as firms turn their backs on Duke and Duchess of Sussex
GBN
PR expert Mark Borkowski has claimed the content that the Sussexes want to produce is not what firms are looking for.
Meghan Markle is scrambling for work as firms are turning their backs on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, according to a PR expert.Getty
Borkowski said: “Look, if you’re appearing on red carpets and premieres, that means you’re putting yourself on show for the type of people who might cast you, book you, use you.
https://www.gbnews.com/royal/meghan-markle-news-duke-duchess-of-sussex-prince-harry
‘It hasn’t delivered for them’: where next for Harry and Meghan, content creators?
The Guardian
“Look, if you’re appearing on red carpets and premieres, that means you’re putting yourself on show for the type of people who might cast you, book you, use you,” said PR expert Mark Borkowski. “That’s what Meghan’s been about.”
What the couple seem to be seeking are people to back the kind of projects they want to be linked with, he added. “The trouble is, all this high-ended stuff around the values that they portray, it hasn’t delivered for them.” And they need to make money.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘overhyped’ in Hollywood as they ‘fail to deliver’
Express
However, their popularity is seemingly dwindling as one PR expert warned they may have tried to make too big of a splash when they first left the UK and now have earned themselves a reputation of not being able to deliver.
Publicist Mark Borkowski, who has been following the Sussexes’ moves closely since they arrived in America, claims their current downfall is due to a major mistake they made when they first entered Hollywood.
He told The Telegraph over the weekend that because the couple “were overhyped” they’ve lost most of their career momentum in the “fickle” Hollywood system.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1846680/prince-harry-meghan-markle-archewell-hype
Harry and Meghan’s attacks on Royal Family ‘have not gone down well in Hollywood’
Daily Express US
Mark Borkowski, a publicist and media strategist, believes Harry and Meghan may have cost themselves credibility in Hollywood due to the “negativity” around them.
He told The Telegraph: “They were overhyped. Hollywood is fickle. When you’re making money, everyone loves you. If you’re not making money, if there’s negativity around you, you turn quite toxic.
“What they did was generate hype and made a lot of promises that haven’t been delivered.
“The one thing Hollywood and America don’t like is too much negativity. Attacking the Royal family hasn’t gone down well, so they’ve got to come up with a new strategy.”
https://www.the-express.com/news/royals/121633/prince-harry-meghan-markle-royal-family-hollywood
Seismic 2024 looming for Sussex duo
Royal Observer
“Something is beginning to unwind at the heart of Meghan and Harry,” crisis manager Mark Borkowski ominously shared when discussing the couple’s current popularity.
“I think 2024 is going to be seismic, either because they’re going to do something to recover and find a new positive tactic, or it’s going to be the undoing of the brand. It can only go one or two ways. It can’t stay where it is at the moment. Because it’s clearly not working. We’ve seen countless appearances of Meghan on red carpets. The story of her being back in play in Hollywood is all about Meghan trying to return to her own turf, and being available for work, and getting back to Hollywood,” he added.
https://www.theroyalobserver.com/p/hollywood-has-had-enough-of-prince-harry-and-meghan-markle
Is it the beginning of the end for Brand Sussex?
Daily Mail
Meghan also appeared on the red carpet at Variety’s ‘Power of Women’ gala where she teased ‘exciting’ new projects for her and Harry. She also sat with two of LA’s most powerful women, one working for the Oscars and another high up at Universal Studios.
But Mark Borkowski, one of Britain’s most experienced crisis managers, has said he believes that Omid Scobie’s Endgame – and the royal race row it sparked – has ‘backfired spectacularly’ for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. He is also convinced that the farrago over the Dutch translation naming King Charles and Kate ‘was clearly a publicity stunt’, a claim Mr Scobie denies.
Mr Borkowski has said that Meghan’s Hollywood relaunch is ‘clearly not working’. He claims that her new talent agency WME may be considering dropping her after less than six months amid signs the ‘Hollywood machine’ has ‘probably had enough of them’.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12840955/Meghan-Harry-Omid-Scobie-Hollywood.html