Mark Borkowski
Birth date1958 (age 68–69)[1]
Birth placeStroud, Gloucestershire[2]
Known forPublicity stunts
Websitehttps://borkowski.co.uk/
CitizenshipBritish
OccupationPublic relations, lecturer, author

Mark Borkowski (born 1958/1959[1][3] in Stroud, Gloucestershire[2]) is a British public relations (PR) consultant, writer, and the person who started a communications agency in London. He has worked on campaigns that got a lot of media attention in the UK and has been mentioned in articles about how the public relations industry is moving toward strategies that focus on getting attention and media coverage.[4][5]

Borkowski has written about public relations and media culture and has written commentary for national publications like The Guardian in addition to his consulting work.[6] People have talked about his work in both good and bad ways when talking about the role of spectacle and news generation in modern communication.[7][8]

Early life and education

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

Public relations

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

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] Prince Andrew[28] and Philip Schofield.[29]

The Financial Times reported in 2025 on his involvement in PREEMPT, described as a reputation insurance initiative addressing culture-war related reputational risks.[30]

Celebrity and theatre work

Borkowski has worked directly with Noel Edmonds and Cliff Richard on individual projects. For Edmonds, he advised on media strategy for his 2009 wedding, where photo rights were deliberately withheld from celebrity magazines.[31] For Cliff Richard, he managed publicity campaigns including promoting The Millennium Prayer to the UK singles chart.[23][12]

He also maintains close links with theatre, having publicised shows including Stomp, Mamma Mia!, and Terry Gilliam’s Into the Woods.[32][33][34]

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.[33]

Borkowski is a regular presence in the media and maintains his long-running blog Mark My Words.[35]He has provided commentary on figures including Sydney Sweeney,[36] Drake,[26] and David Beckham.[37]

Notable campaigns and publicity stunts

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.[38]

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

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.[39]

In 2025, he produced the BBC Radio 4 documentary Outrage Inc., examining the history of political stunts.[40]

Books and publications

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.[41]
  • 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.[42]

A 2009 Times article questioned the historical existence of one of the book’s figures, Maynard Nottage, a claim Borkowski disputed.[7][43]

Reception and awards

Jeremy Paxman described him as “the proud inheritor of the Barnum tradition of publicity” in profile coverage.[44] 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.”[45]
  • Campaign of the Year, PRWeek Gold Award, for Cadbury Wispa relaunch (2008).[46]
  • Listed as Top Flight Reputation Manager in Spear’s 500 since 2023.[4]

References

  1. ^ "SYNAPSE MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES LTD people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Archived 2026-02-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  2. ^ "Mark Borkowski: To be a true maverick, go outside your comfort zone". The Standard. 2013-07-01. Archived 2026-02-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  3. ^ "Borkowski, Mark | National Library of Israel". National Library of Israel. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  4. ^ "Mark Borkowski - Spear's 500 Adviser Profile - Reputation Managers Index". Spears 500. Archived 2026-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  5. ^ "Borkowski: the agency, the man". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  6. ^ "Mark Borkowski Profile". The Guardian. 10 October 2007. Archived 2026-02-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  7. ^ Evans, Richard (2008-10-17). "Mystery of the starmaker who left no trace of his life". The Times and The Sunday Times. Archived 2011-08-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  8. ^ 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 10 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Mark Borkowski - Adventures in capitalism". Great British Life. 2013-01-14. Archived 2024-12-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  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. ^ Owens, John (2012-07-04). "Mark Borkowski: The 'cult' of Borkowski". PR Week UK. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  12. ^ Hughes, Scott (28 July 1997). "CV; MARK BORKOWSKI Founder, Mark Borkowski Press and PR". The Independent. Archived 8 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  13. ^ "Mark Borkowski: The EdFringe is a place where publicity stunts can be an art form – so take the creative risk". The Stage. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ^ "'Disillusioned' Mark Borkowski cuts ties with own agency". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  15. ^ "Cirque du Soleil: Life is one big balancing act". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2026-04-17.
  16. ^ "Borkowski buys Beatwax". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  17. ^ Cozens, Claire (2000-10-25). "Amnesty hires Borkowski for anniversary bash". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived 2026-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  18. ^ "DIARY: PR glitterati and Kylie turn out for Selfridges' Body Craze launch party". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  19. ^ "Mark Borkowski:Redhammer". redhammer.info. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  20. ^ Stern, Elaine (2022-09-01). "What I learned as Mikhail Gorbachev's press officer". PR Week UK. Retrieved 2026-04-17.
  21. ^ Armstrong, Stephen (2021-03-09). "How the Oprah interview will make Harry and Meghan the king and queen of Hollywood". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived 2021-03-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ^ manageruser (2025-05-15). "Voting is Hot AF: Saatchi & Saatchi debut new campaign to drive young voters to the polls". Saatchi & Saatchi London. Archived 2026-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ^ "CAMPAIGNS: Weekly Web Watch - On a win and a prayer for number one". www.prweek.co.uk. Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ^ "Cadbury discards Borkowski despite Wispa relaunch hit". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  25. ^ Timms, Dominic (14 May 2004). "Arsenal star's ex-wife hires PR firm". The Guardian. Archived 2016-03-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  26. ^ "Drake’s new album: Lover boy comeback after Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us". www.bbc.com. 2025-02-23. Archived 2025-07-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ^ Sharp, Christopher (2025-03-03). "'I'm a PR expert and know the real reason behind Meghan Markle's reinvention'". Gloucestershire Live. Archived 2026-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ^ Powell, Luke (2019-11-16). "PR expert has 'never seen anything so disastrous' as Prince Andrew's interview". Daily Mirror. Archived 2026-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  29. ^ Borkowski, Mark (2024-09-27). "Phillip Schofield is following the modern celebrity redemption playbook. Here it is". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived 2026-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  30. ^ "‘Cancel culture’ insurance offers respite to panicking celebrities". Financial Times. 2025. Archived 23 July 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  31. ^ "Jasper Gerard meets Noel Edmonds". www.thetimes.com. 2006-04-02. Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  32. ^ "Battle of Ideas 2012 | speaker | Mark Borkowski". archive.battleofideas.org.uk. Archived 2025-10-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  33. ^ Sweney, Mark (2011-07-06). "Mark Borkowski to launch new agency". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived 2019-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  34. ^ Shenton, Mark (2022-07-18). "Theatre Openings: from w/c July 18 onwards". Shenton Stage. Archived 2025-10-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  35. ^ "Mark My Words – Mark Borkowski.". www.markborkowski.co.uk. Archived 25 January 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  36. ^ Mussen, Maddy (2025-12-17). "Sydney Sweeney: one of the most controversial stars in Hollywood?". The Standard. Archived 2026-01-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  37. ^ Richardson, Rachel (2024-06-18). "Is the House of Beckham a house of cards that nearly came crashing down?". The Independent. Archived 2024-12-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  38. ^ "Alcopop promoters get lashings of stick". PRWeek. 1996.
  39. ^ Borkowski, Mark (2024-10-22). "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 2026-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  40. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Archive on 4, Outrage Inc". BBC. Archived 2026-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  41. ^ Mikhail, Kate (2000-07-20). "Why let facts get in the way of a good story?". The Independent. Archived 2026-02-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  42. ^ Standard, The (2012-04-05). "The Fame Formula: How Hollywood's Fixers, Fakers and Star Makers". The Standard. Archived 2026-02-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  43. ^ "Nottage is no hoax". The Times and The Sunday Times. 2008-10-19. Archived 2026-02-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  44. ^ Gillis, Richard. "Will the Fianna Fáil brand come clean in the wash?". The Irish Times. Archived 2026-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  45. ^ "Fringe Report: Awards 2006". Fringe Report. Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  46. ^ Lee-Roberts, Christopher (28 October 2008). "PR Week Awards 2008". medianrecruit.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2011.