Michael Jackson takes entire three and a half minute ITV ad slot

by Emma Barnett, mediaweek.co.uk 06-Mar-09, 11:00

LONDON - ITV1 is airing an exclusive, one-off three and half minute ad to promote Michael Jackson's comeback series of shows at the O2 on Sunday night in the middle of Dancing on Ice.

The ad, featuring a new Jackson video showcasing his performances over the years, will debut at 9.30pm. He is the only artist to take over an entire ad break on ITV.

Jackson is returning to the stage for the first time in 12 years for 10 shows in July.

The 50-year-old held a press conference yesterday in London and arrived an hour and half late.

Tickets go on sale on 13 March, but the presale registration website, MichaelJacksonLive.com, is already struggling to cope after receiving 16,000 requests per second, according to a spokesman for AEG Live, which is promoting the concerts.

Comments

Keith Geddes - 07/03/2009

So the hype starts. How come we saw the same fellas in the crowd with hysterical joy on their faces.. stage managed. Biggest laugh of the day for me was early morning with a Michael Jackson biography writer from the U.S, saying DONT be taken in.. MJ`s not fit.. hes on meds.. every chance he wont do the shows. Did I read the shows were insured? We shall see... wont we. I HOPE he does the shows, but.. will he manage all of them. Expect more headlines.