Jack Maynard: When stars’ social media posts come back to haunt them
BBC, 23rd November 2017
PR guru Mark Borkowski says Jack Maynard’s actions highlight that there’s nowhere to hide for the generation who have grown up on social media.
“Perhaps it proves a degree of abject ignorance and arrogance,” he says.
“Past attitudes and social hubris will haunt many, many celebrities who now attempt to plunder celebrity status. They will reach the realisation that fame is toxic fame.”
Generating interest at Christmas, a time when every brand wants to get coverage
The Guardian Online, 21 November 2017
“Generating interest at Christmas, a time when every brand wants to get coverage, is difficult, says the PR expert Mark Borkowski. “For a cynical old git like me, you can see the roots of all the stories [in the papers about advent calendars],” he says. “It’s very difficult to keep your client happy around Christmas, with the rest of the noise. Clients and PR agencies are in bubbles; they think something is successful because there’s a snippet in the Metro.” The slew of luxury advent calendars this year is “an opportunity for people in PR to extend their creativity and persuade their clients how clever they are.” For good measure, Borkowski takes a swipe at millennials, not long moved on from their childhood Christmas countdowns, for whom he thinks these advent calendars are “being reinvented”. What a Scrooge. He laughs.”
Mark Borkowski of the Independent believes “the possibility for forgiveness remains.”
Inquisitr, 12 November 2017
He says that if the worst of the allegations have already been reported and Spacey continues to lie low for six or so months, “he will surface for a heart-to-heart – the right interviewer, the right title.”
“Many would like to hear what he has to say. Should a reformed Spacey be deemed credible, it could be as little as two years down the line that the actor could be winning plaudits for a supporting role in an off-Broadway production or Sundance hit.”
Borkowski points to the redemption of Mel Gibson after his drunken anti-Semitic rant more than a decade ago, and even the continued tolerance of Roman Polanski in some circles as reasons for Kevin Spacey to hope Hollywood will someday crack open the door for his undeniable talents again.
With the Weinstein revelations, the tide is turning on media protection of stars
The Drum, 20th October 2017
If the money’s flowing the questions stop. This was what precipitated the downfall of Bell Pottinger: the PR firm lost the plot over what its South African subsidiary was up to and see a toxic campaign ultimately reduced the behemoth to rubble.
Similar dynamics are at work in the conditions that allowed 30 years of predatory abuse to be allegedly perpetrated by Harvey Weinstein. I have heard countless Harvey stories over the last week from industry figures none of whom were particularly surprised by the revelations that appeared in the New York Times and New Yorker.
But why wasn’t anything said?
Theresa May’s insistence that she is sticking around as PM may have been met with scepticism and incredulity
The New European, September 11th 2017
Theresa May’s insistence that she is sticking around as PM may have been met with scepticism and incredulity, but PR agent MARK BORKOWSKI argues her reboot may yet work.
Theresa May stunned many in Westminster when she expressed her desire to lead her party into the next general election. After the almighty stumble of June’s snap poll the idea of the Maybot steering the leaky Tory mothership to another vote is on par with the BBC bringing back Kilroy.
Investor walks away from Bell Pottinger as South African race row deepens
The Week, 6th September 2017
Mark Borkowski, founder of Borkowski PR, told the BBC: “If you are employed to manage a reputation and your reputation is shot, then it is not a good day.”
HSBC joins Bell Pottinger exodus after S. Africa scandal
BBC News, 6th September 2017
“If you are employed to manage a reputation and your reputation is shot, then it is not a good day,” said Mark Borkowski, founder of Borkowski PR.
The Diana myth: Why she haunts us still — 20 years after her death
CBC News, 30th August 2017
“We’ve bought into the marriage of the young royals who are channelling their mother and channelling the fact that by hook or by crook their mom changed the Royal Family … forced them into a new way of communicating,” says Mark Borkowski, a British public relations expert who has worked with everyone from Michael Jackson to Mikhail Gorbachev.
‘It’s like cock fighting!’
BBC Radio Scotland, 25.08.17
Mark on the Mayweather Vs. McGregor fight.
Listen here. (1:17:00 – 1:23:38)
Diana’s Death Forced British Royals To Overhaul Image
GG2.net, 18.8.17
“I for one believe that there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death.” The result was royals “having to become more professional, and having to take real control and take outside advice and better professional people,” public relations expert Mark Borkowski told AFP.
Is Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding in the last chance saloon?
The Daily Mirror, 03.08.17
Media guru Mark Borkowski says of CBB: “It’s such a last chance saloon, but also an opportunity to refocus on her. It’s a clever move and if the camera loves her and the audience loves her, she’s on a path to reconnect with the public.”
A Brief History of the Truth
BBC Radio 4, 22.07.17
Joe Queenan interviews Mark, and others, to explore a murky world of fake news, prejudice and alternative facts.
The Strictly Factor: One In Five Of Highest Paid BBC Stars Have Appeared On Show
The Telegraph, 20.07.17
Mark Borkowski, the PR guru, said: “There are only two questions to ask about talent: do they provide value, are they at the top of their game? And secondly do the public like them, are they the brand that will bring more people to the channel?
“If you are on a top rated programme at the BBC – and Strictly is a national treasure – then it gives you massive bargaining power.”
‘How Louise Redknapp regained her mojo on Strictly after sacrificing her career for Jamie and their children’
The Daily Mirror, 06.07.17
PR guru Mark Borkowski believes this could be the beginning of Louise’s second wind – and that she could soon be commanding some very big figures with her talents.
He says: “She will never be top of the charts again as she was but she’s going through another period and she could be just as popular to brands and people as Jamie is.
“They’re the perfect double act, I suppose. She has fantastic earning potential.
“With a good agent, she’s not going to make multiple millions but she will make a healthy amount.”
‘You’re Being Totally Cynical!’
talkRADIO, 03.07.17
Mark talking to Julia Hartley-Brewer about Jay-Z and Beyonce Carter Knowles trademarking their children’s names.
Listen Here (12:30-13:00/21:44-26:58)
Sport 2.0: crumbling traditions create a whole new ballgame
The Guardian, 14.06.17
Mark Borkowski, a PR and brand expert, insists that is a mistake. “I’m 100% sure that minority sports will suffer because it is about eyeballs and selling product and increasingly that’s what e-sports do,” he says.
He has a further message for any doubters. “Once upon a time darts and snooker were seen as joke sports played in smoky men’s clubs, but now they are respectable. And I know there are a number of big agencies, who represent Hollywood stars, who are paying close attention to e-sports.”
'We've Got A Hell Of A History With Keepers!'
talkSPORT Radio, 12.05.17
Mark on The Two Mikes show talking about Joe Hart.
Listen here (11-11:30/-10:43 – -00:53)
'No Longer Can They Be Called The World's Favourite Airline!'
BBC Radio 5, 28.05.17
Mark on the Stephen Nolan show discussing British Airways.
Listen here (1:20:32-1:30:02)
'There Were Some Pretty Disturbing Images!'
BBC WM 95.6, 26.05.17
Mark on the Paul Franks show talking about Walkers.
Listen here (2:49:22 – 2:53:55)
'They Should Have Expected It Really!'
talkRADIO, 28.05.17
Mark on the Sunday Breakfast show with Penny Smith discussing Walkers.
Listen here (9-9:30 / 17:24 – 24:49)