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. He founded Borkowski PR in 1987. The agency initially focused on theatre and entertainment publicity before expanding into corporate and brand communications.
Clients reported in trade coverage have included Cirque Du Soleil, Harrods, American Express, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Selfridges, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Hasbro and Cadbury. Press coverage has also cited high-profile clients including Mikhail Gorbachev, Ian Botham, Jimmy Page, Cameron Mackintosh, Dale Vince, Noel Edmonds, Van Morrison, Michael Flatley, Cliff Richard and Tony Kaye.
In 2007, the agency handled publicity for the relaunch of Cadbury’s Wispa chocolate bar, which won PRWeek’s Campaign of the Year award.
Crisis and reputation management
Borkowski has advised public figures on media strategy during legal proceedings and periods of reputational scrutiny. He has written and commented in national media on reputational crises involving public figures, including the Duchess of Sussex and Philip Schofield.
The Financial Times reported in 2025 on his involvement in PREEMPT, described as a reputation insurance initiative addressing culture-war related reputational risks.
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. For Cliff Richard, he managed publicity campaigns including promoting The Millennium Prayer to the UK singles chart.
He also maintains links with theatre, having publicised shows including Stomp, Mamma Mia!, and Terry Gilliam's Into the Woods.
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.
Borkowski maintains a blog, Mark My Words. He has provided commentary on figures including Sydney Sweeney, Drake, and David Beckham.
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.
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.
Publicity for the French contemporary circus Archaos in the early 1990s generated tabloid coverage in the United Kingdom focusing on its provocative performance style.
Press reports have also associated him with large-scale publicity stunts and promotional installations.
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