Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Mark Borkowski

Mark Borkowski is a British public relations (PR) consultant and writer.

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Jul 24, 2026
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Mark Borkowski
Born1958 (age 67–68)1
Stroud, Gloucestershire2
CitizenshipBritish
OccupationsPublic relations, lecturer, author
Known forPublicity stunts
Websitehttps://borkowski.co.uk/

Mark Borkowski (born 1958/195913 in Stroud, Gloucestershire2) is a British public relations (PR) consultant and writer. 45

Borkowski has written about public relations and media culture for The Guardian.678

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.1011

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.516171819 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.2526 He has written and commented in national media on reputational crises involving public figures, including the Duchess of Sussex27 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

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.2312

He also maintains links with theatre, having publicised shows including Stomp, Mamma Mia!, and Terry Gilliam's Into the Woods.313233

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

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

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

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.742

Reception and awards

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

References

  1. "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. "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. "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. "Borkowski: the agency, the man". www.prweek.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  6. "Mark Borkowski Profile". The Guardian. 10 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  7. 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. 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. Owens, John (4 July 2012). "Mark Borkowski: The 'cult' of Borkowski". PR Week UK. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  12. 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. "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. "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. "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. 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)
External links