Matt Roche | Marketing

So, it’s a little over 24 hours now since Michael Jackon died in hospital in LA. His death has already started to create a hysteria similar to that of Diana’s death in 1997. Millions of people are mourning him and starting to celebrate his life in a number of different ways.

Now that the news of his death has reached all corners, and every news report is covering the story, already we are starting to see a phenomenal increase in the sale of his records. The fact that every news agency is carrying this story – and making a big deal about it – is a form of marketing in many ways. People are now starting to buy Michael Jackson’s music left, right and centre. Within a few hours of his death it was suggested that a certain song of his could get to number one.

Whilst this is all fairly obvious, and it has happened many times before, it is still fascinating to watch a natural marketing scenario such as this unfold. Many companies are now looking to profit from his death by pushing merchandise and music in front of the masses, but it is really the media and the hype from the public that has driven the surge.

I suspect that there will be few artists in the future who can hope to sell as many records as Michael Jackson whilst they are alive, or dead.