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.
Shaving with axes
In 1955, Jim Moran devised a stunt to promote the National West Virginia Axe Company, founded over 50 years before, but struggling to maintain their profits in the axe saturated capital of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Moran commissioned a photographer to photograph numerous prisoners in a local jail, shaving with axes made by National West Virginia Axe Company.
Battle rages over Tony Blair's refusal to name the day for his departure
As the battle rages over Tony Blair’s refusal to name the day for his departure Mark Borkowski gives a PR perspective on the issue on the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 Click here to download MP3
TOY BOY OR NOT TOY BOY
Uma Thurman, 36, recently admitted she was on the look out for a toy boy and it seems 29-year-old Orlando Bloom could fit the bill. She said: “I know women who like to have ‘boy toys’ – and actually I could grow into that.” The Borkowski poet in residence imagines what might be going through her mind… Oh youth, yes youth, is still on my side but still, but still I can’t decide whether to be sober and down to earth with an older man or go for rebirth in the arms of a boy who’s many years younger Which…
Here's one we elected earlier
Tony Blair’s aides want him on Blue Peter as part of a ‘farewell tour’. But are the presenters sure to go easy on him? Tim Dowling imagines how the chat might turn out. And Emine Saner asks PR experts how they would manage his exit. Mark Borkowski (Vodafone, Virgin) “They must be desperately embarrassed about this plan being leaked. The beauty of PR is for people not to understand what you’re doing so I would go right back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that would surprise people. You have to choose what to do very…
BOWING OUT
A sullen and potentially unstable truce was struck yesterday between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown after the prime minister reluctantly bowed to the demands of the chancellor and rebel MPs by promising to step down within 12 months. “One way or another I’ll be gone within the year,” says Tony Blair adjusting hair and playing with his ear. “The party has stopped fighting – there is nothing left to fear. So look at all the shiny schools and the changes that I’ve wrought and please forget our sponsors and the lordships that they’ve bought and most of all forget about…
SO LONG STEVE IRWIN
‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin has died. The wildlife presenter was filming a documentary off the coast of Australia earlier this week when a stingray attacked him, using its poisonous barb to pierce his chest. So long Steve Irwin, eco-Crocodile Dundee. You pursued savage beasts with irreverent glee. Badgered them, bothered them all through the wild – even taunted crocs with a chance to taste child. You were so long, Steve Irwin, in the television’s eye that no-one expected you’d be able to die in a manner ignominious and unsuitably swift. We were sure you had superpowers – wrestling crocs was…
HEY YOU GET OFFA MY TANK
Sir Mick Jagger forgot the words to classic Rolling Stones song ‘Ruby Tuesday’ during a concert last week. Mick covered up his memory loss by singing the same verse twice. He also has an oxygen tank backstage to help him get through his grueling live shows. Hey you get offa my tank. I need all that oxygen it’s my memory bank for when the words go away and all I can do is repeat the first verse in place of verse number two. Hey you get offa my tank. Can’t hit high notes without it and my mind goes as…
'Who says the old ones aren't the best?'
As my mother once said, never expect to please everyone .. Robin Hoodwinked? By John Plunkett / Television 12:55pm It’s the biggest mystery since ITV commissioned a second series of Love Island – what has happened to the master tapes for Robin Hood? And is Hungary’s answer to Police Five’s Shaw Taylor on the case? Latest reports from Hungary – where the BBC1 series was being filmed – suggest the thief snuck past security guards and climbed up a fire escape. PR stunt. I suspect Mark Borkowski is already writing his ‘Who says the old ones aren’t the best?’ article…
Hungary for publicity?
Hungary for publicity? I might be wrong, but could the BBC’s Robin Hood tapes in Budapest be just the latest bid to steal column inches during the silly season? http://media.guardian.co.uk/columnists/story/0,,1861304,00.html
The value of celebrity branding
One of Jim Moran’s publicity stunts involved the actress Ann Blyth taking a bubble bath before the eyes of photographers in Los Angeles for the National Association of Inventors. Blyth had just made a debut in the movie “Mr Peabody and the Mermaid” and had won an accolade for playing the mermaid. Moran thought she would be a natural choice for the bubble bath photocall. Blyth always made headlines: in 1954 at the Academy Awards, she famously sang “Secret Love”, a Doris Day song from Calamity Jane when she was 7 months pregnant. In the 1960’s Blyth wasn’t lazy at…
KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKS
In the past, a goad, or prick, used to be used to jab an ox used to till the soil. Sometimes the ox would refuse this incentive by kicking out at the prick. As result, the prick would be driven deeper into the flesh of the rebellious animal. In the case of Paramount versus Tom Cruise, it is difficult to decide whom the metaphor should be applied to… So it’s farewell Tom Cruise from the Paramount lot. He costs too much money; he’s no longer hot. He hectors, he postures, he jumps on the couch. When he doesn’t get his…
The reviewing couch exposed
The Hollywood studios were always extremely frustrated by poor reviews. Today, film production companies aren’t giving reviewers the opportunity to slate their multi million dollar offerings before release; instead they are encouraging comment from random everyday internet users. Snakes On A Plane is the most current example of how a film can get hyped to success by “blogging”, thus disabling all the film critics. In the 1940’s there was a host of Hollywood studio million dollar movies that were totally slated by the East Coast film critics. As a result, big investment films went into decline. Russell Birdwell was responsible…
FAIRY TELLE WEDDING
EXCLUSIVE Have the Big Brother couple found true love or is it a … Mirror.co.uk – London,UK … As celebrity agent Mark Borkowski puts it: “Their celebrity was beginning to wane. By getting married so soon they’re trying to re-establish themselves.”. … http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17624139&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=fairy-telle-wedding–name_page.html
Underneath the ices
Jim Moran was the publicist responsible for selling fridges to Eskimos when he famously teamed up “Refridgerator” with American Airlines. American Airlines virgin flight to Alaska needed publicity as well as “Refridgerator’s” first Ice Box. Moran organised the transport of the ice box on the first flight to Alaska, which brought about the publicity stunt to sell fridges to Eskimos. The first sale of a fridge in the U. S. was actually a milestone in the history of modern household management. At first, the appliance was no more than an exotic luxury item, so Moran sought to bring it to…
BLONDE AMBITION PART 4
Britney Spears – who is currently pregnant with her second child – is reportedly so devoted to her pet pooch Lucky, she wants to follow the example of the ancient Egyptians and be buried with her. She said: “You know how the Pharaohs used to get buried with things they loved? I want to do that with Lucky. She should be laid to rest with me when the time comes.” “I want you to bury me with my hound. She’s my perfect friend, I need her around. I need her beside me when I’m in the ground,” says Britney. “A…
BLONDE AMBITION PART 3
Madonna believes she can help save the world from an ecological meltdown by using a special Kabbalah water to dispose of nuclear waste. Madonna has previously been quoted as saying: “According to science, we aren’t going to have a planet in about 50 years at the rate we’re going with nuclear waste. I can write the greatest songs, make the most fabulous films and be a fashion icon and conquer the world but if there isn’t a world to conquer, what’s the point?” She’ll heal the world and make nuclear waste into a tasty nutritious strawberry paste with Kabbalah water…
BLONDE AMBITION PART 2
Madonna has caused a furore with a controversial mock crucifixion during her current tour. Last week, Dusseldorf police warned the singer that she could be in breach of their “insulting religious beliefs” law and might face arrest, while numerous religious leaders have condemned the performance as “blasphemous”. For the stunt, Madonna wears a crown of thorns and is hoisted on to a ‘disco cross’. Madonna insists she is doing it to try and raise Aids awareness. Madonna, Madonna, up on the cross I must confess that I’m quite at a loss to understand just what your grand gesture means. Are…
The marvellous coincidence of Oz
All my recent Hollywood publicist research has led me to the much-talked-about Hollywood myths. Over the years of movie publicity, a plethora of myths exists. A young intern at the Academy Library in Los Angeles, who I met on my last trip, has written to me having found some interesting information on a lady named Mary Mayer, who was the unit publicist for a time on the movie “The Wizard of Oz”. Mary Mayer had attested to the astonishing truth (according to her and the cinematographer, Hal Rosson,) that the coat chosen for the character “Professor Marvel” was actually found…
BLONDE AMBITION
Paris Hilton recently declared herself to be the new Marilyn Monroe. She said: “There’s nobody in the world like me. I think every decade has an iconic blonde – like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana – and right now, I’m that icon.” The hotel heiress has bought so many pairs of shoes she doesn’t know what to do with them all, which leads the Borkowski poet in residence to a more appropriate comparison… If the simple fact of blonde ambition is enough to earn one full admission to the hallowed halls of endless fame then Paris Hilton need not up…
My Mentor: Mark Borkowski on Philip Hedley
My Mentor: Mark Borkowski On Philip Hedley ‘He taught me about risk and about trust. They are the two things you need’ Interview by Sophie Morris The Independent :21 August 2006 http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article1220598.ece