Mark Borkowski

Publicist. Strategist. Observing the mood of the herd. A man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin. Weekly musings

[Mark Borkowski @MarkBorkowski]

Friday announcement: I’ve authored a new BBC Radio 4 Archive on 4 documentary, it’s called OUTRAGE INC, and it airs next Saturday, at 20:00.

Huge thanks to the brilliant Alison Vernon-Smith for her insight, patience, and sheer determination in producing, and the editing genius of Julian Mayers. I hope it's an entertaining and provocative hour of radio.

You’ll know I’m obsessed with the lessons of history we keep forgetting. This programme travels through more than a century of noisy, provocative stunts from Suffragette arson to Greenpeace in front of harpoons, from flour bombs at Miss World to the humour-as-weapon genius of Otpor, Political Beauty, and the Yes Men. It’s about why the stunt still matters and why, in an age of draconian restrictions on protest, we need to remember the history as much as we argue about the now.

Next week, I’ll share more about what’s in it and the lessons it holds for anyone trying to shift opinion, hold power to account, or seed an idea that refuses to die. I'm bored with commercial PR stunts; the most interesting ones have a purpose

Because history shows this: the best stunts don’t just make noise, they create ripples that move long after the cameras and the media chatter have packed up.

OUTRAGE INC BBC Radio 4, Saturday 23rd, 20:00, and on BBC Sounds.

[BORKOWSKI @BorkowskiPR]

In the latest episode of #TheFameFormula podcast, @MarkBorkowski sits down with Lynne Franks OBE to discuss her influence on the world of #PR, and how her trendsetting career & glamorous persona helped inspire the character of Edina in #AbFab.
📺Watch the full episode on YouTube

[Mark Borkowski @MarkBorkowski]

When marinating in the sun today - why not listen to this ...https://t.co/gF05NSgLGb @Lynne_Franks

[Just Chelsea @JustChelsea97]

La última vez que el Chelsea quedó décimo, al otro año ganó la Premier.
Las últimas dos veces que el Hull City ascendió a la Premier, el Chelsea la ganó.
La última vez que el Arsenal ganó la Premier, Chelsea la ganó la temporada siguiente.

Xabi Alonso, en ti confiamos.

[Mario Nawfal @MarioNawfal]

A cat fell from a stadium roof and was caught by a fan flag.

Best use of team merchandise ever 👏

[Pys @CFCPys]

Alonso needs to bring back an identity to Chelsea FC. He and the board need to be ruthless this summer. No Chelsea fan deserves what we have seen in 3 out of the 4 seasons. Really sad to think about all those fans who travelled several hours up the country to watch that.

[SHAYEE 𒀭 @tier_1st]

Chelsea Fan Louis Beneventi 🗣️ "Chelsea cannot call this project successful. This season has been an absolute embarrassment.

Callum McFarlane should never have been anywhere near that dugout in the first place. Too many ‘jobs for mates’ appointments, too many PR briefs, too much noise coming out of the club instead of serious football decisions being made.

If Xabi Alonso is really the statement signing Chelsea fans have been waiting for, then BACK HIM properly. Stop chasing ‘market opportunities’ and signing raw 17-year-olds every window. Go and buy serious experienced players that improve the team immediately."

[Tom @tomvinall00]

FIVE YEARS LATER we’re in the same situation 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[The Footy Feed @TheFootyFeed]

𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃: Jordan Henderson on his way to link up with the England squad... 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Nigel Pauley @nigelpauley]

What is so sadly missed these days on X since the algorithms changed so you never see you followers posts these days is the running commentaries during big events like #Eurovisión2026 which were often more entertaining than the event …

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

It’s official, it’s a terrible season for Chelsea, the club world champions. No trophies, ninth in the table, danger of not qualifying for any European competition, players speaking out, fans protesting, managerial churn, inexperienced caretaker. Some of the players are culpable, not given enough, not taken responsibility when needed.

But this is largely down to the owners, to their flawed approach to recruitment, to their lack of connection to the fanbase, to their astonishing naivety. Chelsea fans deserve better. They deserve more leaders on the field and any leader in the boardroom. They deserve more expertise in the recruitment department. Owners need a rethink. Club needs a reset. #CFC #FACupfinal #CHEMCI

[Emma @MrsEmmaWebber]

Message to Elias Calocane.

We are not bullies.
We have not ‘instructed’ our Barrister to bully you and your family.
HOW DARE YOU!

We want the truth.
We want to know what happened.
We need answers.
We need to understand.
That’s all…
We deserve that…

You know you had the knowledge and the ability to intervene on the 12th and 13th June; but you chose to look the other way.

#nottinghaminquiry 💛💚

[LDN @LDNFootbalI]

No comment… 🔍

[Vfynn_🥷🏼 𐙚 @Vfynn_]

🚨🎙️| Joe Hart on West Ham’s disallowed equalizer vs Arsenal, accuses VAR of saving Arsenal’s title hopes:

🗣️“Listen, I don’t care what anyone says, that goal should’ve stood. VAR has absolutely ruined moments like that. West Ham fought for that equalizer and somehow they’ve found a way to disallow it for the softest little touch you’ll ever see. If that’s Arsenal scoring at the Emirates, nobody even checks it for more than five seconds.

And this is what frustrates fans, Arsenal have lived off those scrappy, aggressive goals all season. Blocking keepers, crowding the six-yard box, little nudges here and there… suddenly when it happens against them, it’s ‘clear and obvious.’ Give me a break.

I was a goalkeeper, I know when a keeper’s genuinely impeded and when he’s looking for help. There’s no way you can tell me that was enough contact for the goal to be overturned. The game’s gone soft. West Ham have been robbed, simple as that.

You wonder why fans think certain clubs get favourable decisions because moments like this keep happening. Arsenal are in a title race and somehow every 50/50 call seems to land their way. That equalizer changes the whole atmosphere of the game and VAR bottled it. Absolutely bottled it.”

[Football Confidential 🌐 @footballconfid1]

This is seriously embarrassing for the @premierleague, and it’s brand.

Handing a plastic title to Arsenal was clearly the “strategic plan”, but @FA_PGMOL have just made it too obvious and tainted the league forever.

Everyone knows now. Everyone.

[Lemon @Lemonbriz]

🚨🎙️ Roy Keane on West Ham’s disallowed goal for a foul on Arsenal’s Goalkeeper David Raya

"I tell ya what, that VAR decision is a complete and utter disgrace – an absolute joke!

All season long Arsenal have been crowding the goalkeeper on set-pieces, pushing, shoving, blocking – it’s been their main tactic from day one. We saw it clear as day against us at Old Trafford when Saliba backed straight into Bayindir, stopped him from making a proper save, and they nicked a goal through Calafiori. Nothing given. Not a murmur. But now, in a massive title-deciding match against West Ham, when it doesn’t suit them... suddenly it’s a foul on Raya? Are you kidding me?

What the hell are we even watching in this league anymore? It’s shameless, it’s embarrassing. At this rate just hand the title and the trophy over to Arsenal now, because it’s glaringly obvious what they’re trying to pull. Total, utter disgrace."

[Mark Borkowski @MarkBorkowski]

The Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni saga exposed what happens when the hackneyed smoke-filled back room collides with algorithmic hysteria.
https://t.co/C714JPOhs0

[Peter Bleksley @PeterBleksley]

Breaking; Harold Wilson to be exhumed and appointed Deputy PM.