Watchmaker Swatch apologises for ‘slanted eye’ ad after online backlash in China
Reuters
What’s his plan? Harry’s like vacuous Meghan’s hostage-in-the-attic – he’s so lost he ruins EVERYTHING he touches, expert slams
The Sun US
The new deal was also described as a “downgrade” by PR expert Mark Borkowski.
He told the Mail: “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.
“It’s not like they’re gradually uncoupling – it’s a downgrade. Netflix are not going to expose themselves to those budgets again. It’s Netflix saying, ‘Let’s have a look at your content, but we’ll pick and choose, mate’.”
Netflix back away from Harry and Meghan with new deal, on worse terms: Sussexes sign ‘first-look’ agreement after shows flopped – with cooking Christmas special and another documentary
Daily Mail
The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes – who made the announcement with Netflix – as ‘extending their creative partnership’ through Archewell Productions.
But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple.
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.’
Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14990375/Prince-Harry-Meghan-new-Netflix-deal.html
Harry and Meghan renew Netflix deal with first look partnership
Yahoo News
Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract, thought to be worth more than 100 million dollars (£74 million) with the streaming giant after quitting as senior working royals in 2020.
The first-look deal, which means Netflix will have the first option on Harry and Meghan’s projects, was described by the Sussexes as “extending their creative partnership”.
But PR and crisis expert Mark Borkowski described it as a “downgrade”, and suggested Netflix was “pivoting away” from Harry and Meghan.
Mr Borkowski told the PA news agency the deal was a long way from the jackpot figure of their original contract.
“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.
“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’.”
Mr Borkowski suggested the Sussexes would now be on a pay as you go deal, where they are paid for productions as and when they are selected by Netflix, rather than receiving an overall amount.
“I would be surprised if it’s not pay as you go and it’s well, well below that first mark (of an estimated 100 million dollars),” Mr Borkoski said.
A representative for the Sussexes declined to comment on the financial arrangements of the deal.
Harry and Meghan renew Netflix deal with first look partnership
The Argus
Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract, thought to be worth more than 100 million dollars (£74 million) with the streaming giant after quitting as senior working royals in 2020.
The first-look deal, which means Netflix will have the first option on Harry and Meghan’s projects, was described by the Sussexes as “extending their creative partnership”.
But PR and crisis expert Mark Borkowski described it as a “downgrade”, and suggested Netflix was “pivoting away” from Harry and Meghan.
Mr Borkowski told the PA news agency the deal was a long way from the jackpot figure of their original contract.
“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.
“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’.”
Mr Borkowski suggested the Sussexes would now be on a pay as you go deal, where they are paid for productions as and when they are selected by Netflix, rather than receiving an overall amount.
“I would be surprised if it’s not pay as you go and it’s well, well below that first mark (of an estimated 100 million dollars),” Mr Borkoski said.
A representative for the Sussexes declined to comment on the financial arrangements of the deal.
Netflix ‘downgrades’ deal with Harry and Meghan
The Telegraph
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new multi-year Netflix deal on reduced terms.
The contract is less extensive than their original five-year deal, reputed to have been worth $100m (£75m), marking a loosening of ties between the couple and the streaming giant.
Mark Borkowski, a PR and crisis expert, described the new deal as a “downgrade” and suggested Netflix was “pivoting away” from the Sussexes.
However, Prince Harry and Meghan are said to be “proud” to extend the partnership, which comes despite a series of lacklustre offerings and claims that it would not be renewed at all.
The “first look” deal means that both the Duke and Duchess will continue to develop their careers in the world of show business more than five years after they quit the family firm to move abroad and seek financial independence.
However, rather than funding the couple’s entire production output, this deal gives Netflix the first option on the Sussexes’ film and television projects.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/08/11/harry-meghan-sign-new-multi-year-netflix-deal/
Harry and Meghan renew Netflix deal with first look partnership
Asian Image
Harry and Meghan renew Netflix deal with first look partnership
Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract, thought to be worth more than 100 million dollars (£74 million) with the streaming giant after quitting as senior working royals in 2020.
The first-look deal, which means Netflix will have the first option on Harry and Meghan’s projects, was described by the Sussexes as “extending their creative partnership”.
But PR and crisis expert Mark Borkowski described it as a “downgrade”, and suggested Netflix was “pivoting away” from Harry and Meghan.
Mr Borkowski told the PA news agency the deal was a long way from the jackpot figure of their original contract.
“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.
“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’.”
Mr Borkowski suggested the Sussexes would now be on a pay as you go deal, where they are paid for productions as and when they are selected by Netflix, rather than receiving an overall amount.
“I would be surprised if it’s not pay as you go and it’s well, well below that first mark (of an estimated 100 million dollars),” Mr Borkoski said.
A representative for the Sussexes declined to comment on the financial arrangements of the deal.
Harry and Meghan new Netflix deal – what is coming next?
Peterborough Matters
“My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally and celebrates our shared vision.”
While a representative for the Sussexes declined to comment on the financial arrangements of the deal, PR and crisis expert Mark Borkowski suggested the Sussexes would now be on a pay-as-you-go deal.
This means the couple would be paid for productions as and when they are selected by Netflix, rather than receiving an overall amount.
He added: “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.
“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’.”
So far, the Sussexes’ most successful series has been Harry & Meghan – their controversial 2022 documentary about stepping back from royal duties and their struggles with the Royal Family.
It totalled more than 23 million views and is Netflix’s fifth most popular documentary series ever.
Harry and Meghan extend Netflix partnership – but it’s no longer exclusive
Sky News
Several US outlets have suggested it is a downgrade from the Sussexes’ previous contract, which saw the streaming giant pay for exclusive rights for the content and was thought to be worth more than $100m (£74m).
British PR expert Mark Borkowski described the deal as a “downgrade” and suggested Netflix was “pivoting away” from Harry and Meghan.
America’s bittersweetheart Sydney Sweeney found herself under fire once again this week following reports that the 27-year-old actress is a registered Republican.
The Standard
The Right were thrilled. This, combined with her “All-American” looks, made her a pretty little pin-up for white, 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.
Eventually, in a post to Instagram, Swift admitted how she had been “reluctant” to publicly voice her political opinions in the past, “but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now.” She went on to reveal that she was voting for a Democrat, and encouraged her fans to educate themselves and “make your vote count.” PR wise, Swift’s image didn’t take much of a hit: she’s now more famous than ever.
Sweeney shot to fame in the aftermath of Euphoria’s second season, released in early 2022. And as with every woman who shoots to stardom, there is a mass of grasping hands ready to bring her crashing back down to earth. “Fame brings all the naysayers out,” says Borkowski, “and the way she’s gone about it has pissed off a lot of people. It’s old-fashioned because she’s using her body for publicity, when [we thought] that had died off.”
Borkowski foresees more of this political drama in Sweeney’s future, unless she finds a way to “get off the hamster wheel,” while still maintaining fame. But Sweeney stepped off the hamster wheel recently, during a breakup from her fiancé and a relatively quiet period career-wise, only to return to more politics.
Is Sydney Sweeney’s Career Over? Celebrity PR Expert Warns She’s ‘Overpromoted’ and Not Ready for Politics
Inkl
Celebrity publicist Mark Borkowski, whose past clients include Joan Rivers and Michael Jackson, expressed concern over the trajectory of Sweeney’s career.
Borkowski also warned that Sweeney’s rising profile does not guarantee resilience. ‘It’s a massive PR risk because she hasn’t made it yet. She is not Margot Robbie, she does not have Oscars behind her,’ he said.
So far, Sweeney has chosen not to comment. According to Borkowski, this may be her best option for now. ‘Silence in politics is really important now because if you don’t, you’re going to be exposed by the full weight of the opposition on social media,’ he said. ‘It’ll be carnage. She’s a bombshell, but she’s not box office yet.’
‘It’ll be carnage’: why Sydney Sweeney’s risky political moment may backfire
The Guardian
Mark Borkowski, whose PR clients have included Michael Jackson, Joan Rivers and Van Morrison, said avoiding political entanglements, particularly in the infancy of a career when hopefuls rely on goodwill from all sides, was vital.
It can hardly be said that her career has suffered but Swift was established, said Borkowski, as were other celebrities, such as John Wayne and Charlton Heston who threw themselves into political causes, the former with the Republican party and the latter the civil rights movement and then the National Rifle Association.
“I am fascinated by Sydney Sweeney,” Borkowski said. “She’s become the sort of delicious siren of the gen Z media. She has got all the echoes of Jayne Mansfield or Marilyn Monroe, but she’s totally overpromoted.
“She’s clickbait and it’s the worst idea to declare a political affiliation, especially in the inferno that is American discourse. It’s a massive PR risk because she hasn’t made it yet. She is not Margot Robbie, she does not have Oscars behind her.”
As if to illustrate the danger for celebrities who dip a toe in American politics, Trump later doubled down on his Truth Social platform to praise Sweeney’s instincts and castigate Swift.
He said: “Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH that I can’t stand her (HATE!) She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became NO LONGER HOT.
“The tide has seriously turned – Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Sweeney is yet to comment on her political sympathies but plenty of others, beyond Trump, will have a say, said Borkowski. “Silence in politics is really important now because if you don’t, you’re going to be exposed by the full weight of the opposition on social media,” he said. “It’ll be carnage. She’s a bombshell, but she’s not box office yet.”
‘Never seen this’: Billion-dollar truth behind Emma Raducanu triumph
Yahoo Sport
Sponsors will now be lining up to get on board with Raducanu, who will undoubtedly become the ‘it’ girl of tennis.
And according to renowned publicist Borkowski, who has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson and Led Zeppelin, Raducanu has the potential to earn $1 billion on and off the court.
“Potentially, I see her as a billion dollar girl,” he told The Sun. “She’s everything that is really positive about the new icons that this age has got to throw up.
“In the conflicting culture wars, here we have someone who is young, incredibly talented, has a multicultural background.
“Everything about her is what every brand would like to get their hands on right now.
“The way she handled the Wimbledon incident, the way she’s come back, the way she tackles interviews, the way the crowd responds to her, the way she plays the game … if she is as good as the form suggests the sky is the limit.
“You get a sense with Emma that she’s got a really powerful personality to go along with the talent.”
Should Jet2 respond to the White House ‘deportation’ video?
Campaign
Mark Borkowski, industry veteran and founder of eponymous PR firm Borkowski, believes Jet2 “absolutely” has to comment. “Silence risks being interpreted as complicity,” he says.
“A firm, dignified statement: ‘We don’t endorse this. We didn’t licence this. We reject this. It’s not just managing optics. It’s refusing to be a footnote in someone else’s cruelty. Yes, Jet2 should speak publicly. Not because political correctness demands it but because your brand DNA demands it. Let them meme themselves. You stay credible,” Borkowski adds.
https://www.campaignlive.com/article/jet2-respond-white-house-deportation-video/1927560
Gwyneth Paltrow is Astronomer’s ‘temporary spokesperson’ in new video
The Washington Post
My LinkedIn inbox is under siege…
I’ve returned from a much-needed break to find my LinkedIn inbox under siege. Not by actual opportunities, but by a relentless army of snake oil salesmen promising to “scale my biz to £5m” through something called “story-led AI-integrated brand intimacy.”
Just click the link. Book a call. It’s digital panhandling dressed up in jargon.
“I help visionary founders become scalable, story-led category kings.” Of course you do, mate.
Take five minutes to scroll through LinkedIn profiles. It’s like tumbling down a rabbit hole into a parallel universe where everyone’s a guru, a sherpa, or a bloody Jedi. My feed has become a game of Buzzword Bingo, but nothing meaningful ever emerges from the noise.
Once upon a time, personal branding meant simply not being the person who photocopied their arse at the office Christmas party. Standards were refreshingly low.
Now? It’s apparently about building a “multi-channel visibility architecture powered by storytelling and neuro-linguistic positioning.” Christ.
We used to worry about getting too emotional over lunch with a journalist or nodding off during client meetings while some account executive from Leo Burnett told us how gravy granules possessed a deep emotion and needed space to “speak its truth.”
Those concerns seem quaint now. Today’s professional anxiety centres on “curating your narrative ecosystem” across LinkedIn, Substack, and your upcoming soft-launch on Discord.
The modern workplace has been sanitised within an inch of its life. No photocopiers. No sneaky Gordon’s gin hidden in desk drawers. No one’s pushing Paul from accounts down the corridor in a Herman Miller Aeron chair during a post-deadline celebration.
HR has rewritten the entire playbook. Everyone’s at the gym, sipping mushroom tea, and “optimising their emotional intelligence stack.”
Every job title now sounds like a rejected name from Black Mirror. “Cultural Futurist.” “Brand Evangelist.” “Head of Special Situations.” When someone introduces themselves as a “Storytelling Architect,” I genuinely reach for the sick bucket.
Here’s the brutal irony: we’re in a gold rush for attention, but most people are digging with bloody spoons.
Everyone’s “building pipelines,” but the pipes are clogged with jargon and SEO mulch. Meanwhile, the few who cut through the noise are the ones saying something unexpected. Human. Specific. Maybe even a bit weird.
That’s always been the gig in this business: creativity over conformity. Theatre over templates. The willingness to take risks, to be genuinely surprising, to make people think or laugh or feel something real. So here’s my modest proposal: let’s bring back fun. Bring back the chaos that creates genuine perspective. Bring back ideas with an actual pulse.
And yes, bring back the office party. The real connections. The unscripted moments where something interesting might actually happen.
Just don’t bring back the photocopier incident.
We’ve moved on from that. (Mostly.)
From Jeff Bezos to MAGA: The strange politicisation of Sydney Sweeney’s boobs
The Standard
“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.
Eventually, in a post to Instagram, Swift admitted how she had been “reluctant” to publicly voice her political opinions in the past, “but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now.” She went on to reveal that she was voting for a Democrat, and encouraged her fans to educate themselves and “make your vote count.” PR wise, Swift’s image didn’t take much of a hit: she’s now more famous than ever.
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/celebrity/sydney-sweeney-boobs-maga-jeff-bezos-b1152516.html
Tom Cruise and sport: an intriguing Hollywood romance
The Telegraph
Britain holds a particular pull for Cruise. He has lived in the country for long periods and filmed much of his recent output in the UK. Events like Wimbledon are especially appealing. “Americans, particularly Hollywood folk, who buy into British culture love the great sporting events,” says PR expert Mark Borkowski. “Everybody’s a star in Hollywood, here he stands out
“There’s an enjoyment of the British summer season and the glamour of the Royal Box. Other places offer that, like the Long Room at Lord’s, but who understands cricket in America?”
Divorce? Spice Girls reunion? What’s next for Geri Halliwell after her husband’s fall from grace?
The Telegraph
“It was definitely a performance,” says publicist Mark Borkowski. But the fact that Halliwell was willing to endure such humiliation and put on a show is telling, he thinks. “I’m pretty sure she’ll stick with him. She’s very resourceful and strong – she’s been through the ups and downs of toxic fame, so she knows how to handle it. Someone who hasn’t had that experience might struggle.”
Will that support continue? It really depends on what exactly happened at Red Bull, notes Borkowski. “If more details have emerged about what led to his sacking that she finds intolerable, then she’ll have a big decision.” The Telegraph contacted Halliwell’s representation for comment.
There were also rumours of a Halliwell-centred reality show, following the mammoth success of the Beckhams’ Netflix documentary, though Borkowski reckons that’s now highly unlikely. “If she and Horner do stay together, I don’t think they’d take the gamble. They’ll need a period of stability while the eyes of the world are on them and their relationship. That’s a hell of a pressure.”
But if Halliwell did decide to separate from Horner, a documentary could be an opportunity to take back control of the story and tell it on her terms. “She’s an independent woman – she wouldn’t be frightened of striking out alone and leaving everything behind,” says Borkowski. “Plus she’s already proved she’s the queen of reinvention.”
What about the oft-rumoured Spice Girls reunion to mark the 30th anniversary of the band’s breakout hit Wannabe in 2026? If Halliwell did agree to it, that would increase the level of press scrutiny, which might put her off. But Borkowski suggests a potentially considerable motivation. “We’ve seen in the past that reunions can happen when men have big legal bills to pay after a divorce!”
INSTASCAM Harry Potter star targeted by fake social media accounts as fans warned ‘don’t be fooled’
Scottish Sun
PR consultant Mark Borkowski warned the young actor’s team should jump into action and protect him.
He said: “The issue is that, particularly when you get thrust into the public arena these days, you become public property very quickly.
“The younger you are, obviously there’s rules and regulations, but the badlands of the internet don’t sort of grip the same principles.
“There’s a huge Harry Potter fan base, as we know, and there’s been a lot of expectation for this latest version of it.
“It will all come down to protecting him because of his age and allowing him to grow up against a backdrop of a huge amount of attention on him, both on and offline. And that is incredibly difficult to manage.”
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/15038635/social-media-scammers-harry-potter-stars/