Oxfam row – how should comms handle difficult leadership departures?
PR Week
The departure of a chief executive has gone from being a “private” HR matter to “public theatre,” says Mark Borkowski, founder of Borkowski. “The golden rule is this: if the exit is sudden, the public will assume something has gone wrong.”
He adds: “The smartest organisations do three things quickly: they acknowledge the reality of the departure, explain why in plain English, and set out what happens next.”
Borkowski warns against confusing legal safety with reputational safety. “Lawyers will always favour silence. The public interprets it as guilt or chaos. Comms exists to bridge that gap.”
In his view, the departure of a chief executive is a “stress test for organisational values” and those organisations that get it right “project competence and integrity”. “Get it wrong, and you look like you’re hiding behind a statement, hoping the news cycle moves on. It usually doesn’t.”
Oxfam row – how should comms handle difficult leadership departures? | PR Week UK
Harry and Meghan announce they are producing a film about ‘Girl Scouts baking cookies’ – as Duchess shares rarely seen childhood photo with her mother Doria
Daily Mail
Mark Borkowski, one of Britain’s leading PR gurus, said the timing of her appearance on set was intriguing given William was in Brazil promoting and celebrating his Earthshot Prize.
‘It’s not just dusting off her craft. It is trying to seize control’, Mr Borkowski said.
‘Andrew has been stripped of all his titles, palace in a mess trying to sanitise it all, and meanwhile Harry and Meghan have faded. When silence sets in someone like Meghan knows when it is time to make a move.
‘She is a magnet for attention, whether people like or loath her. It’s a reminder she can make headlines without lifting a finger’.
Strictly’s Tess Daly close to tears in heartbreakingly emotional moment on It Takes Two
The Mirror
PR expert Mark Borkowski told the Mirror that this made sense, because Tess is a “blank canvas” after Strictly. He said: “Tess has the advantage of a blank canvas. Her exit timing feels deliberate – just when Strictly starts to show its age. If she plays it right, this is her Madonna reinvention phase: same warmth, new edge. The US rumours make sense – she has the polish and credibility to slip into glossy network formats or daytime franchises without breaking stride.”
Strictly’s Tess Daly close to tears in heartbreakingly emotional moment on It Takes Two – The Mirror
‘He should hang his head in shame!’ Watch moment GB News guest erupts over Huw Edwards as disgraced presenter poses for new headshot
GB News
PR expert Mark Borkowski warned that Edwards’ photographic display risked appearing insensitive and deliberately provocative.
He said: “A picture like this tells you he wants to be seen again. But one stylish photograph can’t rewrite the past. It risks looking tone-deaf, even provocative.”
Huw Edwards: GB News guest erupts as disgraced presenter poses for new headshot
Huw Edwards branded ‘shameless’ by victim’s family after sharing ‘sickening picture’ in ‘comeback attempt’
GB News
PR expert Mark Borkowski warned that Mr Edwards’ photographic display risked appearing insensitive and deliberately provocative.
He said: “A picture like this tells you he wants to be seen again. But one stylish photograph can’t rewrite the past. It risks looking tone-deaf, even provocative.”
Prince Harry ‘cut off’ Meghan Markle’s mock curtsey after her ‘disrespectful’ joke about meeting the late Queen – as body language expert revisits awkward Netflix moment
Daily Mail
PR expert Mark Borkowski described the new deal as a ‘downgrade’, claiming it falls a long way from the jackpot figure of Harry and Meghan’s original contract in 2020.
At the time, Mr Borkowski told the Daily Mail that he believes the pair will be paid for each production selected by Netflix rather than receiving an overall fee, such as the reported $100million of their first deal.
‘I would be surprised if it’s not pay-as-you-go and it’s well, well below that first mark,’ he said.
Prince Harry’s spiral into irrelevance is becoming painful to watch
The Standard
There was no traditional interview and viewers were left cringing at Harry’s lame jokes, leading PR expert Mark Borkowski to brand the appearance an ‘embarrassment’.
‘What we’re seeing is the classic identity vacuum of a man who walked out of the royal machine without building a new one to stand in,’ Borkowski said.
‘Every skit, every podcast cameo, every crowd-pleasing wisecrack is an attempt to reverse-engineer a persona the public never actually asked for.’
Prince Harry’s cringeworthy Late Show appearance is an ’embarrassment’ and another sign that the novelty of a British prince has ‘worn off’ in the US, PR expert claims
Daily Mail
The Duke of Sussex’s ‘painful’ jokes on The Late Show about Donald Trump failed to land and the novelty of a British prince in America has ‘worn off’ some time ago, Mark Borkowski said.
His TV appearance was broadcast as the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas is fighting for his life in intensive care in the Philippines after undergoing emergency surgery.
‘Harry’s Colbert skit isn’t “embarrassing” because he’s chasing US celebrity, it’s embarrassing because he’s doing it badly’, Mr Borkowski said.
‘Making fun of your own privilege only works when the audience believes you’ve transcended it. Harry hasn’t. The jokes land like a man reminding you of a punchline that expired three years ago.
‘He keeps leaning on the same tired “I’m a prince but not that kind of prince” shtick, as if self-deprecation can launder the monarchy off him. It can’t. In America, the novelty wore off the minute Netflix lost interest’.
Mr Borkowski says the TV appearance shows that Harry has found himself in an ‘identity vacuum’ since walking away from the Royal Family.
EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle ‘plans to re-regalise Princess Lili and have royal reunion on own terms’
The Mirror
Meanwhile, PR crisis expert Mark Borkowski told the Mirror that it’s a sharp change in strategy for Netflix bosses. “I think Netflix has done a very neat job of pivoting away from two very expensive people who didn’t deliver, and they’ve taken that deal off the table, and they’ve given them a modest one,” he said.
He went on to explain that the signing of the new contract shows that the streaming giant still wants to have a solid relationship with the Sussexes, but is also cautious not to spend too much money on content that may not resonate with viewers. Borkowski added: “It’s not like they’re gradually uncoupling. It’s a downgrade. Netflix are not going to expose themselves to those budgets again and it’s Netflix saying ‘Well, look, let’s have a look at your content, but we’ll pick and choose, mate’.”
Meghan Markle ‘plans to re-regalise Princess Lili and have royal reunion on own terms’ – The Mirror
Strictly should take a break after rape accusation, says PR expert
The Times
The BBC should “rest” Strictly Come Dancing after one of the show’s male stars was accused of rape, a public relations expert has said.
Mark Borkowski, an agent who also writes about PR, said the programme would benefit from taking a break to prepare for the departure of the hosts, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
The BBC must also cope with the resignation of its director-general, Tim Davie. “Strictly is performing really well on screen,” Borkowski said. “But off screen it threatens to provide more chaos for the new director-general.
“The sensible thing to do with new presenters starting is to rest it. They need to put all the controversies behind them, make people realise what they are missing out on and start again.”
The latest scandal comes less than three months after another male Strictly member was held over a rape charge.
The arrest this week involves an alleged incident in Hertfordshire last year. The complainant is not a dancer or contestant but the pair are understood to have met through the show.
Hertfordshire police said the man was arrested in London on October 13 on suspicion of rape and released on bail while inquiries continued.
Ten days later, the long-serving hosts Winkleman and Daly announced their departure from the programme.
Hertfordshire police said: “Inquiries by officers from Hertfordshire constabulary’s public protection team will continue.Given the nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.”
The BBC’s flagship Saturday-night show has suffered a number of recent scandals. In August another man was arrested on suspicion of rape and nonconsensual intimate image abuse, as well as drug offences.
That month the BBC opened an inquiry into alleged class A drug use by two cast members.
In July last year, Graziano Di Prima, 31, the professional dancer from Sicily, was dismissed after a video emerged showing him kicking Zara McDermott, his celebrity partner.
In response to the controversies, the BBC has introduced safeguarding guidelines. Davie told the culture, media and sport committee in September: “We may see more things coming out because in some ways I’m asking for it and being transparent.”
A source told The Sun: “This is an absolute nightmare for the BBC. Bosses have done their utmost to steady the ship and make the show as scandal free as possible and yet this has happened.”
Inside Sarah Ferguson’s fresh Epstein nightmare and why new book has been ‘pulped’
The Mirror
Many of the charities deemed it “inappropriate” to continue professional ties with Fergie, but thanked her for the work she had done with them over the years. One PR expert, Mark Borkowski, said as she was dropped by the charities that it was clear she was becoming a “toxic” brand with the emails “reputational napalm”.
“This isn’t a PR headache – it’s financial destitution dressed up as disgrace,” the expert said at the time.
Inside Sarah Ferguson’s fresh Epstein nightmare and why new book has been ‘pulped’ – The Mirror
Meghan Markle reveals festive preparations for Archie and Lilibet and kisses Harry in glitzy new Netflix trailer released moments before William and Kate arrive at the Royal Variety Performance
Daily Mail
Leading publicist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail: ‘They have shot the golden goose of 2020 – more of a ‘we’ll call you’ than ‘here’s the chequebook’. It’s a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim.
‘I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo.
‘They’re still in business together – Meghan’s. As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original. So Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix chapter [is] less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.’
Meghan Markle wealthy pal’s bookshop ‘is reported to council for serving her As Ever wine without a licence’ after duchess used it as promotional pop-up
Daily Mail
Branding it another PR power move as part of yet another wider Sussex relaunch, the insider said of her return to acting: ‘It’s fun and gets people talking. There will be lots more [stunts] in the next few months.’
Mark Borkowski, one of Britain’s leading PR gurus, said the timing of her appearance on set is intriguing given William is in Brazil promoting and celebrating his Earthshot Prize.
‘It’s not just dusting off her craft. It is trying to seize control’, Mr Borkowski said.
‘Andrew has been stripped of all his titles, palace in a mess trying to sanitise it all, and meanwhile Harry and Meghan have faded. When silence sets in someone like Meghan knows when it is time to make a move.
‘She is a magnet for attention, whether people like or loath her. It’s a reminder she can make headlines without lifting a finger’.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15269077/Meghan-Markle-bookshop-reported-council-wine.html
Prince Harry goes ‘back to basics’ with ‘Royal Family formula’ as ‘star power’ with Meghan Markle dwindles, says PR pro
The Sun
PR guru Mark Borkowski told Best magazine: “There has been a separation [of their work] for a while.
“Harry is ‘going back to basics’ with a formula that worked well for him as a Royal Family member, but there’s also the realisation that the couple’s ‘star power’ wasn’t as successful as they hoped.
“They had to change the narrative.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/31108565/prince-harry-returns-royal-family-formula-meghan-markle/
‘Strictly is wounded’: Why Celebrity Traitors is the golden ticket for stars
The I Paper
Celebrity representative Mark Borkowski agreed. “Strictly is wounded, especially with the anchors exiting before they rust,” he said. “Traitors is a format that allows talent to shine.”
Carr’s fellow finalists are benefiting from the exposure. The new album from Traitor Cat Burns, released this week, is soaring up the charts.
The BBC hopes Traitors-deprived fans will follow Prof David Olusoga’s new series on the British Empire, which launches on BBC Two on Friday night.
Who are the ‘real winners’ of Celebrity Traitors? Unpacking the future of TV’s most talked about cast
The Radio Times
In a final showdown, the comedian managed to convince remaining Faithfuls Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga that he too was a Faithful, forcing them to end the game before managing to take all of the money for his chosen charity.
But despite winning the show, it won’t just be Alan people think of when it comes to The Celebrity Traitors, and indeed he won’t be the only winner of the bunch despite holding the title.
In fact, they’re all winners, according to PR expert Mark Borkowski.
Aside from the handful of players that were either banished or murdered in the game quite early on, Borkowski sees particularly Cat Burns and Joe Marler truly excelling after the BBC One series.
“Joe Marler seems to be on everything and anything, anytime you see him on The Wheel, he’s sticking, so clearly he’s got a good agent to get him into that role,” Borkowski told RadioTimes.com. “He’s got a very strong personality.”
He continued: “But I think everybody’s a winner in this series. It’s about visibility. It’s no different from other reality shows like I’m a Celebrity, and even Big Brother in the day, the celebrity versions. I’m a Celebrity is the best example of that. The more exposure that you have, the more of your personality, or your perceived personality is pushed out.”
“So with the BBC, [it’s] the same love that is shown from Strictly or whatever, they know that they can actually develop programmes or put people in those programmes, that they know they’re going to get eyeballs on in an age where there isn’t a linear audience that once was.”
The Celebrity Traitors has proven to be its own cultural phenomenon, with 11.7 million viewers and counting having tuned in for the first episode alone, making it the biggest unscripted episode across the UK market since 2022.
With so many eyes on a programme with a variety of famous faces, Borkowski argues it has only “doubled down” on the importance of having some of these stars on television, including Claudia Winkleman.
“That’s why Claudia has left [Strictly], because she’s helming lots of statistics,” he explained. “I read one in four people are watching it across the country. So it’s doubled down on her importance, and why does she want to be shackled to a 20-year-old format where [now] she can capitalise on the hot format at the moment and actually go into other things?”
Borkowski noted that the “biggest stars” from the series are ultimately the lesser known amongst some demographics, notably Cat Burns.
“Cat has got a recording career, I guess, but it’s all the other people who’ve come forward in a format that isn’t trivial, like suddenly things like eating bugs or dancing your way around a dance floor,” Borkowski told RadioTimes.com
“It is something that actually shows intellect. David Olusoga, you know, all these Nick Mohammeds, they’re all going to be vital collateral, and it’s going to give, in an age where TV executives can’t make their decisions about something, it identifies that they have an audience.”
Amidst rumours of chat shows for cast members and revivals for others, Borkowski explained that speculation will undoubtedly happen.
He said: “All of us, publicists or agents or whatever, social media managers, they are creating content in the now. One of the biggest pieces that is going to generate a conversation is speculation. What will they do next? That speculation is no different from a politician testing out public opinion on a radical policy.
“It’s no different. It’s ‘let’s land this and see what people do’. So that’s a message, not just to the public, but it’s also message to the TV bosses to see the reaction, and of course, now the down page comments and social media reaction. You’ve got a research facility.”
The News Review: The Traitors final, Meghan’s return and Andrew’s impact on the Royal’s reputation
PR Moment
Welcome to the PRmoment podcast. Today, we’re joined by Angie Moxham, founder of 3 Monkeys and Fourth Angel and Mark Borkowski, founder of Borkowski PR and PR commentator.
In this new show Mark, Angie and PRmoment founder Ben Smith review the biggest news stories of the week from a PR perspective and this week we’re talking about Traitors, Meghan Markle’s return to acting and whether the Royal Family can survive Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s scandal in the long term.
The News Review: The Traitors final, Meghan’s return… | PRmoment.com
The smile that says, ‘Hollywood here I come!’: Meghan is seen on set for the first time filming new comedy movie where she plays HERSELF
Daily Mail
Mark Borkowski, one of Britain’s leading PR gurus, said the timing of her appearance on set is intriguing given William is in Brazil promoting and celebrating his Earthshot Prize.
‘It’s not just dusting off her craft. It is trying to seize control’, Mr Borkowski said.
‘Andrew has been stripped of all his titles, palace in a mess trying to sanitise it all, and meanwhile Harry and Meghan have faded. When silence sets in someone like Meghan knows when it is time to make a move.
‘She is a magnet for attention, whether people like or loath her. It’s a reminder she can make headlines without lifting a finger’.
The photo that will haunt the Beckham family forever
The Telegraph
Sir David must surely, then, be feeling especially sad about Brooklyn’s absence from his knighthood celebrations – “just as any of us would if a loved one chose not to be with us”, says public relations expert Mark Borkowski.
He adds: “The knighthood is something David has worked for desperately. He has his family behind him, that’s very important to him, and I’m sure he would have been expecting them all to be with him before this row happened. Sadly, it appears the wounds are just too deep for a rapprochement.”
The photo that will haunt David and Victoria Beckham forever
Why Celebrity Traitors hosting gig has “doubled down” on the importance of Claudia Winkleman
The Radio Times
Public relations agent Mark Borkowski exclusively told RadioTimes.com that through the sheer enormity of people tuning in to watch The Traitors, with consolidated figures suggesting that one in four British adults have been watching the celebrity series, it has “doubled down on her importance”.
“That’s why Claudia has left because she’s helming lots of statistics,” he explained. “I read one in four people are watching it across the country. So it’s doubled down on her importance, and why does she want to be shackled to a 20-year-old format where [now] she can capitalise on the hot format at the moment and actually go into other things?”
Amidst rumours that the presenter is poised to land her own chat show on the BBC from the production company behind The Graham Norton Show, Winkleman would undoubtedly be elevated into mega-star status.