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February 15, 2004
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MJJSource.com - New Michael Jackson Website To Launch March 1st
Our very own Patricia Brown, along with business partner Ron Sweet (Ropa Promotions) will be responsible for design, implementation and updates of this new exciting site. And we are very proud to announce that MJJForum is a sponsor of the official site.
Jackson comes out fighting to defend image
By Cesar G. Soriano, USA TODAY
Fed up with bad press, pop star Michael Jackson is launching a counteroffensive to combat rumors and innuendo that he says could prejudice a jury in his child molestation case.
In an effort to salvage his public persona, Michael Jackson has hired Raymone Bain as his new spokeswoman.
Jackson has hired a new publicist, made personal appeals to journalists and will soon launch a Web site aimed at the media.
"Michael Jackson is stepping up to the plate and taking control of his personal image," says Raymone Bain, his new spokeswoman. Bain also represents tennis star Serena Williams, boxer Mike Tyson and singer/producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
Bain says Jackson has become "increasingly angry" about people claiming to speak on his behalf.
"Michael is concerned about how he has been portrayed in the media and will work more proactively to turn that around," she says. Jackson also will respond to what he considers inaccurate or untrue reports.
For example, on Thursday, the singer's music manager, Charles Koppelman, quickly denied a New York Times article that said Jackson is in financial trouble.
Jackson personally phoned Fox News reporter Geraldo Rivera and conservative pundit Armstrong Williams last week to stress that he maintains control of his empire.
Jackson has not had a full-time spokesman since late December, when Stuart Backerman left after a dispute with Jackson's camp.
Since then, questions have arisen about Jackson's involvement with the Nation of Islam, and he has been the subject of a stinging article in Vanity Fair.
Meanwhile, Jackson faces a lengthy criminal process. On Friday in Santa Barbara, Calif., Judge Rodney Melville delayed setting a date for a preliminary hearing after Jackson's legal team said it needed more time to examine the evidence. All sides are due back in court April 2. Melville said he wants Jackson's trial to begin by December.
Jackson's new Web site, MJJSource.com, which will be launched March 1, will include press releases, interviews, a calendar of court dates, biographies of Jackson's legal team and background on his career.
Jackson has long used the Internet to communicate directly with his fans. But will these image-control efforts help Jackson's cause?
L.A. criminal defense attorney Dana Cole says they could, if Jackson himself maintains a low profile. His attempts to defend himself, like the 60 Minutes interview, have been unsuccessful, Cole says, "because his responses are so bizarre. If he gets involved in high-profile charity events and concentrates on what he does best ? music ? he would do wonders in turning his image around."
Source: usatoday/MJJF
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