Las Vegas Weekly

July 9, 2009 · 11:33 AM

Michael Jackson merchandise goes on sale shortly after L.A. memorial

By Robin Leach

Michael Jackson shoots rehearsals of his London show under the eye of High School Musical director and choreographer Kenny Ortega.

Photo: Courtesy

It doesn’t take long for the wheels of big business to start rolling even if King of Pop Michael Jackson hasn’t been buried yet. Less than 48 hours after the Staples Center memorial tribute in L.A., official new merchandise has gone on sale.

There is now -- this morning -- an authorized Michael Jackson This Is It merchandise store up and running at www.MichaelJacksonMerch.com, and it’s approved by AEG, the promoters of the London concerts, which were due to start next Monday.

“Early in June, Michael approved a line of official merchandise for his fans. As we mourn the loss of one of the greatest talents the world has ever seen, we are only beginning to feel the impact that Michael left upon us all. A variety of official merchandise commemorates this incredible talent and preserves his legacy,” said AEG, who made the merchandising deal with Bravado, a division of Universal Music Group, and not rival Sony Music, who has Michael’s music rights.

The treasure trove of some 300 products, discussed by the superstar as early as May and then sketched out by Michael over three days in June, are being sold worldwide. The collection includes T-shirts, caps, belt buckles, plates, glasses and barware, scarves, wallets, pocketbooks, tote bags, key chains, playing cards, glitter logo socks and even a sleep mask! Orders are being accepted now for shipping Aug. 7.

However, some of the merchandise will be shipped to Target and JC Penney as early as this weekend, and factories were churning out the lines even while the funeral was being telecast around the world. The final contract between Bravado and AEG was inked less than 24 hours before the service.

Executives defend the big business having to resume so soon after Michael’s death because of the need to prevent bootleg merchandise surfacing. Although it’s certain that Michael’s estate will receive proceeds in excess of 15 percent of all sales, it’s AEG that owned the rights as part of the whopping mega-million-dollar contract that Michael signed with the company.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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