Spin when you're winning

It could perhaps best be called The X Factor for spin doctors. To celebrate the launch of The Fame Formula, a rollicking history of the Hollywood PR machine by spinmeister Mark Borkowski, booksellers Borders has joined forces with the book's publisher, Pan Macmillan, to launch a competition to win 15 months worth of representation by the Borkster's PR agency. From Monday August 4, www.borders.co.uk will be inviting hopefuls to send in their video entries showing off the talent they think deserves recognition. Borders will also be running a series of events with Borkowski, featuring video booths for hopefuls to try their luck, at six of its stores. Other events already confirmed will be held in Glasgow, London's Oxford Street and Islington, plus three further auditions at the end of September in Bournemouth, Cardiff and Leeds. The judging panel will be comprised of representatives from Borders UK, Pan Macmillan and the Bork himself, with the shortlist of 20 to be announced on December 20 and the winner unveiled on the perhaps inauspicious date of April 1 2009. However, Monkey has been assured it isn't one big practical joke.