Mark My Words Blog
Welcome to ‘Mark My Words,’ the digital sanctuary where insight meets intrigue, and commentary sparks contemplation.
Delve into the dynamic world of PR maverick Mark Borkowski as he unravels the threads of media, culture, and communication. Mark’s blog is a treasure trove of industry wisdom, offering a backstage pass to the inner workings of publicity and the ever-evolving landscape of modern media.
Nothing clean about royal soap opera
As the media frenzy surrounding Paul Burrell reaches fever pitch, it’s likely to be the royal butler and not the Windsor’s dirty laundry, that is hung out to dry.
The great pretender
Far from damaging his reputation, Derren Brown’s controversial Russian roulette stunt was a magical masterstroke that confirms him as a showman of considerable talent.
PLAYING THE BLAINE GAME
David Blaine’s latest endurance stunt may have gained temporary headlines in the world’s media, but is all publicity really good publicity?
HOW ARNIE MUSCLED IN ON POLITICS
Arnie offers America everything it wants – confidence, security and punchy one-line politics. And who cares about policies when you’ve got hand-held armaments?
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
The Uday and Qusay Hussein photograph incident, planned as a surgical media strike, has backfired because no one had the sense to think through the PR implications
KRAFT GETS CRAFTY OVER HEALTHY EATING
Kraft foods have realigned their brand to appear champions of caring consumerism – despite their processed products being the bane of parents everywhere. It was masterful PR, but that doesn’t mean we should applaud it
A COMEDY OF ERRORS
Far from raising his profile as a comedian, ‘comedy terrorist’ Aaron Barschak will be sucked dry and then discarded by the media like all the other fame hungry wannabes
OBFUSCATION, OBFUSCATION, OBFUSCATION
Forget spin, forget news management, forget everything you know. Confusion, it seems, is the latest buzzword in PR – and it’s a tactic being used by everyone from the government to rail operators
STARS IN THEIR EYES
How many actors have I known who will tell me in a blasé fashion that they worked with a famous theatrical name, when they were, in fact, no more than bit-part, walk-on, no-lines players in pre-West End runs of a great star’s less auspicious long-forgotten dramatic outing?
LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX
In case you hadn’t heard, XXX by La Fura at the Riverside Studios in London is attracting a modicum of media interest. This is because XXX gives journos and editors full public interest immunity to talk dirty about anal sex, gang rape, fellatio, sodomy, bestiality, S&M and copraphilia.
CYNICS TAKE ON THE SPIN CYCLE
We always knew not to believe a politician, but the Iraqi conflict is teaching us far more about the mechanisms behind propaganda
IS IT ALL A PHOTO-OP?
The US has pulled out all the ammunition at its disposal in its mission to sell brand America during the current war in Iraq. But like all PR campaigns, there is more than a little manipulation involved
HIGH TIMES FOR J-LO
The tabloids were full of tales of J-Lo’s excesses last week – but far from damaging her reputation, it was all part of her elegantly managed and highly successful PR campaign
LETS GET POLITICAL
Today’s pop icons could help the anti-war movement (and their record sales) with a little old-fashioned protest, says Mark Borkowski
WAR – WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?
If we fight a war in Iraq, it is going to be neat, tidy and quick. After all, we have a staggering array of secret weapons at our disposal. Well, at least that’s what they tell us
PR STUNTS PUT ON ICE
As radio station BRMB is fined £15,000 for injuring contestants in a promotion, it could sound the death knell for dangerous stunts
MCCARTNEY SPIN PROVIDES RED LETTER DAY
The newspapers are obsessed by alleged rifts between Heather Mills McCartney and stepdaughter Stella – so top marks to Red magazine, who have used the story for shameless self-promotion
NESTLE MAY PAY HIGH PRICE FOR PRINCIPLE
Type “Nestle boycott” into Google and you’ll find 5,170 sites that comprehensively diss the company for its promotion of baby milk sales in third world countries. Check out “Nestle products” and you’ll find 110 products to add to your “mustn’t-have” list this Christmas.
THE TRUTH ABOUT CHERIE'S TRIFLE
After initially reacting to the media with a mixture of panic and naivety, Cherie Blair’s heroic speech was a good job – it was just a shame that it came too late
FORGET HOLLYWOOD, JUST GIVE ME MOORE
Michael Moore’s satirical documentary Bowling for Columbine manages to combine tenderness and pathos with incredible humour