The Magic Circle has appointed Mark Borkowski Press and PR to
rejuvenate its image and run the launch PR for its new London
headquarters.
Mark Borkowski has been briefed to correct public perceptions of the
Magic Circle, as a club of older men which excludes women.
The Circle now boasts a membership totalling 1,400 magicians, including
high profile characters such as Ali Bongo, and hundreds of young and
female members.
The organisation has come under attack for the rising cost of its
lottery-funded new headquarters, which was originally set at pounds 1.3
million but has risen to pounds 2 million.
The National Lottery paid pounds 475,000 towards the building, which
contains a library, a 140-seat theatre and a conference hall.
The Arts Council also contributed to the cost of the new
headquarters.
The consumer and trade account was awarded without a competitive pitch
this week and work starts on Monday. Previously, PR for the organisation
was handled in-house.
Mark Borkowski PR will work on a project basis for the first four months
and will be called in to work on an ad hoc basis in the future.
The Magic Circle is headed by President Michael Bailey, who oversees a
team of officers and leads a council of 14. Its PR is handled in-house
by press officer and magician Jack Delvin.