Abstract

The case examines the rise and fall of Michael Jackson (Jackson), one of the most popular and controversial pop stars of the 1980s and 1990s. It describes the rise of Jackson from the son of a steel worker to a pop superstar in the 1980s. The case then puts forth the various incidents such as the child abuse charges that have brought about a downfall in Jackson’s career by the early 2000s. It also throws light on his deals with various companies including the Sony/ATV music catalog deal, poor financial management, philanthropic activities and his bizarre behavior. The case ends with analysts’ arguments on his comeback efforts and his future.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Study the various phases in the life cycle of a celebrity and compare the same to that of a product or a company
• Examine the business acumen of Michael Jackson
• and Examine the reasons that can lead to a downfall of a celebrity and draw lessons from it.

Keywords

Michael Jackson, Celebrity Endorsement, King of Pop, Child Molestation, Music Albums, Motown Records, Epic Records, Grammy Award, Lawsuits against Jackson, Financial Crisis, Sony/ATV Music Catalog