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Mark Borkowski

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mark Borkowski
Born1958 (age 67–68)[1]
Stroud, Gloucestershire[2]
CitizenshipBritish
OccupationsPublic relations, lecturer, author
Known forPublicity stunts
Websitehttps://borkowski.co.uk/

Mark Borkowski (born 1958/1959[1][3] in Stroud, Gloucestershire[2]) is a British public relations (PR) consultant and writer. [4][5]

Borkowski has written about public relations and media culture for The Guardian.[6][7][8]

Early life and education

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Borkowski attended King’s Stanley Junior School and St Peter’s High School in Gloucester.[9] He began working in public relations at the age of nineteen and has cited the influence of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren on his interest in publicity and promotion.[10][11]

His first professional role was as in-house publicist at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon. In 1981, he moved to the Theatre Royal Stratford East, where he worked with Philip Hedley.[12] He later undertook publicity work in London’s West End, including a revival of The Pirates of Penzance.[13]

Career

[edit]

Public relations

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Borkowski began his career as in-house publicist at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon and later worked at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1981.[12] He founded Borkowski PR in 1987.[14] The agency initially focused on theatre and entertainment publicity before expanding into corporate and brand communications.[11]

Clients reported in trade coverage have included Cirque Du Soleil,[15] Harrods, American Express, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Selfridges, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Hasbro and Cadbury.[5][16][17][18][19] Press coverage has also cited high-profile clients including Mikhail Gorbachev,[20] Ian Botham,[12] Jimmy Page, Cameron Mackintosh,[21] Dale Vince,[22] Noel Edmonds, Van Morrison, Michael Flatley,[13] Cliff Richard and Tony Kaye.[23]

In 2007, the agency handled publicity for the relaunch of Cadbury’s Wispa chocolate bar, which won PRWeek’s Campaign of the Year award.[24]

Crisis and reputation management

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Borkowski has advised public figures on media strategy during legal proceedings and periods of reputational scrutiny.[25][26] He has written and commented in national media on reputational crises involving public figures, including the Duchess of Sussex[27] and Philip Schofield.[28]

The Financial Times reported in 2025 on his involvement in PREEMPT, described as a reputation insurance initiative addressing culture-war related reputational risks.[29]

Celebrity and theatre work

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Borkowski has worked with Noel Edmonds advising on media strategy for his 2009 wedding, when photo rights were withheld from celebrity magazines.[30] For Cliff Richard, he managed publicity campaigns including promoting The Millennium Prayer to the UK singles chart.[23][12]

He also maintains links with theatre, having publicised shows including Stomp, Mamma Mia!, and Terry Gilliam's Into the Woods.[31][32][33]

When Borkowski left his eponymous agency, he retained the five staff of the arts and entertainment division and its clients, which included Mamma Mia!, and Womad.[32]

Borkowski maintains a blog, Mark My Words.[34] He has provided commentary on figures including Sydney Sweeney,[35] Drake,[26] and David Beckham.[36]

Notable campaigns and publicity stunts

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In 1994, Borkowski handled publicity for the London production of Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom, which attracted press attention and criticism from religious groups.[8]

In 1996, he acted as public relations adviser on the launch of Carlsberg-Tetley’s alcopop brand Thickhead. Contemporary trade coverage described the campaign as controversial amid wider debate about alcopops and their potential appeal to underage drinkers; the product was subsequently withdrawn.[37]

Publicity for the French contemporary circus Archaos in the early 1990s generated tabloid coverage in the United Kingdom focusing on its provocative performance style.[13]

Press reports have also associated him with large-scale publicity stunts and promotional installations.[13]

Media and commentary

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Borkowski has written opinion pieces for The Guardian on celebrity culture and reputation management.[6] In interviews and commentary, he has described celebrity as “a Faustian bargain” and argued that social media has intensified scrutiny of public figures.[38]

In 2025, he produced the BBC Radio 4 documentary Outrage Inc., examining the history of political stunts.[39]

Books and publications

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Borkowski has written two histories of public relations, focusing in particular on the art of the publicity stunt.

  • Borkowski, Mark (2001). Improperganda: The Art of the Publicity Stunt. London: Vision On. ISBN 978-1-903399-00-2.[40]
  • Borkowski, Mark (2008). The Fame Formula: How Hollywood’s Fixers, Fakers and Star Makers Shaped the Publicity Industry. London: Sidgwick & Jackson Limited. ISBN 978-0-283-07039-6.[41]

A 2009 article in The Times questioned the historical existence of one of the book's figures, Maynard Nottage, a claim Borkowski disputed.[7][42]

Reception and awards

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Jeremy Paxman described him as “the proud inheritor of the Barnum tradition of publicity” in profile coverage.[43] PRWeek referred to him as “one of the few PR people whose reputation reaches the outside world.”[11]

He has received awards including:

  • Outstanding Achievement, Fringe Report (2006), for creating “a new branch of theatre – theatre of publicity.”[44]
  • Campaign of the Year, PRWeek Gold Award, for Cadbury Wispa relaunch (2008).[45]
  • Listed as Top Flight Reputation Manager in Spear’s 500 since 2023.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "SYNAPSE MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES LTD people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Mark Borkowski: To be a true maverick, go outside your comfort zone". The Standard. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  3. ↑ "Borkowski, Mark | National Library of Israel". National Library of Israel. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Mark Borkowski - Spear's 500 Adviser Profile - Reputation Managers Index". Spears 500. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Borkowski: the agency, the man". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Mark Borkowski Profile". The Guardian. 10 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  7. 1 2 Evans, Richard (17 October 2008). "Mystery of the starmaker who left no trace of his life". The Times and The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 Lister, David (29 January 1994). "Spotlight on topless nun as chapel hosts musical: David Lister on a mixed response to an irreverent production". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "Mark Borkowski - Adventures in capitalism". Great British Life. 14 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Old Borkowski interview goes online: Meet the Modern Day Barnum". markborkowski.com. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 Owens, John (4 July 2012). "Mark Borkowski: The 'cult' of Borkowski". PR Week UK. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Hughes, Scott (28 July 1997). "CV; MARK BORKOWSKI Founder, Mark Borkowski Press and PR". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Mark Borkowski: The EdFringe is a place where publicity stunts can be an art form – so take the creative risk". The Stage. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "'Disillusioned' Mark Borkowski cuts ties with own agency". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil: Life is one big balancing act". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Borkowski buys Beatwax". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  17. ↑ Cozens, Claire (25 October 2000). "Amnesty hires Borkowski for anniversary bash". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  18. ↑ "DIARY: PR glitterati and Kylie turn out for Selfridges' Body Craze launch party". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "Mark Borkowski:Redhammer". redhammer.info. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  20. ↑ Stern, Elaine (1 September 2022). "What I learned as Mikhail Gorbachev's press officer". PR Week UK. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  21. ↑ Armstrong, Stephen (9 March 2021). "How the Oprah interview will make Harry and Meghan the king and queen of Hollywood". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  22. ↑ manageruser (15 May 2025). "Voting is Hot AF: Saatchi & Saatchi debut new campaign to drive young voters to the polls". Saatchi & Saatchi London. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  23. 1 2 "CAMPAIGNS: Weekly Web Watch - On a win and a prayer for number one". www.prweek.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  24. ↑ "Cadbury discards Borkowski despite Wispa relaunch hit". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  25. ↑ Timms, Dominic (14 May 2004). "Arsenal star's ex-wife hires PR firm". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  26. 1 2 "Drake's new album: Lover boy comeback after Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us". www.bbc.com. 23 February 2025. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  27. ↑ Sharp, Christopher (3 March 2025). "'I'm a PR expert and know the real reason behind Meghan Markle's reinvention'". Gloucestershire Live. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  28. ↑ Borkowski, Mark (27 September 2024). "Phillip Schofield is following the modern celebrity redemption playbook. Here it is". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  29. ↑ "'Cancel culture' insurance offers respite to panicking celebrities". Financial Times. 2025. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  30. ↑ "Jasper Gerard meets Noel Edmonds". www.thetimes.com. 2 April 2006. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  31. ↑ "Battle of Ideas 2012 | speaker | Mark Borkowski". archive.battleofideas.org.uk. Archived from the original on 15 October 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  32. 1 2 Sweney, Mark (6 July 2011). "Mark Borkowski to launch new agency". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  33. ↑ Shenton, Mark (18 July 2022). "Theatre Openings: from w/c July 18 onwards". Shenton Stage. Archived from the original on 15 October 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mark My Words – Mark Borkowski". www.markborkowski.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  35. ↑ Mussen, Maddy (17 December 2025). "Sydney Sweeney: one of the most controversial stars in Hollywood?". The Standard. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  36. ↑ Richardson, Rachel (18 June 2024). "Is the House of Beckham a house of cards that nearly came crashing down?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  37. ↑ "Alcopop promoters get lashings of stick". PRWeek. 1996.
  38. ↑ Borkowski, Mark (22 October 2024). "I work with celebrities. After Liam Payne's death, can't we treat them as humans and not gods?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  39. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, Outrage Inc". BBC. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  40. ↑ Mikhail, Kate (20 July 2000). "Why let facts get in the way of a good story?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  41. ↑ Standard, The (5 April 2012). "The Fame Formula: How Hollywood's Fixers, Fakers and Star Makers". The Standard. Archived from the original on 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  42. ↑ "Nottage is no hoax". The Times and The Sunday Times. 19 October 2008. Archived from the original on 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  43. ↑ Gillis, Richard. "Will the Fianna Fáil brand come clean in the wash?". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  44. ↑ "Fringe Report: Awards 2006". Fringe Report. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  45. ↑ Lee-Roberts, Christopher (28 October 2008). "PR Week Awards 2008". medianrecruit.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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