Borkowski Weekly Media Trends: Prince Harry, Elon Musk & More

PLUS BBC's Traitors and Gladiator boost, Pitchfork's demise

Mark Borkowski on Prince Harry dropping his libel claim against Associated Newspapers…

“Navigating public challenges and conflicts requires a pragmatic mindset, especially in the spotlight. I've witnessed the power of practical solutions and compromise in my 40-year career in the media and public relations industry.

Like any of us, even those in the public eye, we sometimes find ourselves entangled in prolonged disputes. Embracing pragmatism means prioritising resolution over ego and being open to compromise. As Sun Tzu wisely said, "In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak." This profound statement reminds us that in the face of adversity, true strength lies in strategic decision-making. In brief, It's about focusing on outcomes and long-term goals rather than dwelling on past conflicts.

In my view, this philosophy can undoubtedly apply to situations faced by individuals like Prince Harry, who has experienced his fair share of public battles. He is now facing an inglorious retreat from the might of Associated. By seeking common ground, adapting to changing circumstances, and emphasising reconciliation, even the most challenging conflicts can be transformed into opportunities for positive change.

Let's all remember that pragmatism isn't just a philosophy; it's a path to more constructive and harmonious interactions in both our personal and professional lives. I hope Prince Harry reads the cosmic memo.”

X-treme Challenges to Musk's 'Everything App'

In a surprising move, X, formerly Twitter, quietly announced that it had snagged yet another money-transmitter license, adding to its growing collection of state approvals. The licenses are required for the platform to be able to facilitate in-app payments, and are a crucial part of Musk's plan to revolutionise X into an 'everything app' by the end of 2024. 

However, these lofty aspirations are juxtaposed against a barrage of recent controversies. In the wake of October 7th, X faced scrutiny for a surge in antisemitic content, prompting criticism from the White House and an exodus of major advertisers. Musk's assertion of being "aspirationally Jewish," didn't help the situation. However, in another twist, Musk announced he will visit the former Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland next-week to discuss antisemitism, though it’s rumoured investors are somewhat terrified of what he plans to say.

Adding to the intrigue, Musk's social media behavior this week raised eyebrows. Initially critiquing speeches at Davos, Musk ventured into weirder and weirder territory last night, with posts ranging from Elizabeth Warren jokes through to marijuana allusions. It all painted a picture of a leader potentially ill-equipped to steer X towards professional credibility.

With 51 weeks left in the year, X faces a formidable task in fulfilling its grand ambitions. Musk's vision of an all-encompassing app requires not just licenses and features, but also a drastic shift in user perception and a firm grip on internal governance. After the last few days, some are wondering whether this is one goal Musk just might not reach.

Traitors & Gladiators give pause to BBC haters

As streaming giants, each with the budget of a medium-sized country, pump out pulsating television fronted by Hollywood superstars that we can mainline at the click of a button, there is increasing fear for the future of the kind of old school episodic trash television that the UK in particular has so loved for the past 20 years.

In this survivalist battleground public broadcasters BBC and ITV’s competing Saturday line-ups have had starkly contrasting fortunes.

BBC’s second series of the Traitors and reboot of 90s classic Gladiators have both been instant hits, with large audiences, positive reviews, fevered online discussion and, the true barometer of success, relentless memes.

They’ve trounced ITV’s double bill of The Masked Singer and Love Island All Stars in the ratings to such an extent that even the Traitors companion podcast has a bigger audience than Love Island.

So why the discrepancy? By studying media and online reactions, one way of looking at successful British TV shows is that they exist on a spectrum of comfort vs eccentricity.

While a simple and often cosily uneventful show at heart, fans of The Traitors praise the “high camp” of its format, particularly host Claudia Winkleman’s performance, and obsess with its array of normcore characters. Love Island is often criticised for its tired format and repetitiveness, exacerbated this time by its recycling of characters from previous series, pushing it too far down along the ‘comfort watch’ axis into the realms of boring.

The Masked Singer has the opposite problem and is often criticised as just the wrong side of weird, with the mixed ability of singing performance and convoluted format detracting further from the comforting ‘entertainment’ element. Gladiators, conversely, is wonderfully, mindlessly simple background entertainment but it’s also silly enough to fulfil our need for eccentricity.

Pitchfork’s descent adds to Music Media’s torment

In a sad moment for independent music journalism, Condé Nast announced that Pitchfork will be absorbed into GQ. The merger isn't just a setback for the music industry; it's a symptom of the broader struggles media outlets are facing – financial strains, corporate reshuffling, and shifts in reader habits.

Pitchfork, once the cool kid in indie music reporting, now grapples with the same issues causing closures and layoffs across the industry. This development highlights the changeable state of journalism at this time, where iconic publications struggle to adapt. The loss of outlets like Q Magazine, NME (as a weekly print mag), and now a transformed Pitchfork signals a crisis affecting the smaller voices.

Known for its influential – often savage – reviews and ability to break new acts, Pitchfork served as a bridge between artists and audiences. The loss of such outlets risks losing some of the voices that shaped the music industry and leaving the next generation of artists struggling to find a platform for their work.

In bringing Pitchfork under the GQ, Condé is merging cultural and lifestyle content, raising concerns about the homogenisation of media meaning losing the distinct art form that music criticism represents. As readers react to the news, there's a plea for the preservation of spaces that spotlight rising stars, take risks, and celebrate the art of music beyond celebrity status.