I actually quite like 'Hold My Hand' (although it is rather cheesy) - a bit Akon-heavy though, surely??!

Was this song written solely by Akon? It sounds like many of his other songs. Quite why this was chosen to launch MJ's first studio alum in nearly a decade is beyond me. Most of the outtakes I've heard from older albums are miles better than this rather cheesy unremarkable tune -which granted is catchy but just rather forgettable.

Hold My Hand is really nice but what was with releasing Breaking News last week then? :huh:

I think that was planned as the single, but then seeing the terrible feedback it got, it was pulled... Personally I liked it more than this, but Akon is FAIL.

Breaking news was just a teaser! It was websites that said it was a single. Sony never said it was a single.

'Michael' marks first album of unreleased Jackson material

Source: MW

Monday December 6, 2010

 

The first album of previously-unreleased Michael Jackson material since his death hits the shelves next Monday, the culmination of half a year of work for Sony Music UK.

 

Simply entitled Michael, the album comes 10 months after the release of This Is It, a collection of greatest hits and one new track. Its existence was first revealed in March when Sony announced it had signed a deal with the singer’s estate for 10 album projects over the next seven years, including a new album later in the year.

 

While the world in general only found out further details of the new release at the start of November, Sony began work on setting up the album back in summer, with Sony senior marketing manager, CMG Group, Simon Barnabas leading marketing efforts and The Outside Organisation doing PR.

 

Barnabas and team formulated an “all-encompassing marketing plan” leading up to the release, including outdoor adverts featuring the album cover and a TV advertising plot.

 

The first single from the album, Akon duet Hold My Hand, was launched at 7.15am on

 

 

Monday, November 15 on michaeljackson.com, with the track immediately added to playlists at most major stations, including Radio 2 where it remains on the A list.

 

The video for the single, which was released yesterday (Sunday), debuts this week. It was directed by Mark Pellington, whose CV includes videos for U2, Pearl Jam, and the film Arlington Road.

 

Digitally, new track Breaking News was premiered on michaeljackson.com on November 8, while Ping, iTunes’ social network, debuted album closer Much Too Soon last week. Sony has also been working closely with Ubisoft to support the release of their Michael Jackson game, including retail partnerships and online activity.

 

Already, interest in the new release has been intense: the album has topped pre-release charts at HMV, Amazon, and Play, while there has been blanket media coverage.

 

But the work does not stop here: Sony says the campaign will continue into 2011 with single releases, promo and marketing. The major also hints at a “marketing splash” to come this weekend, when it promises a “suitably show-stopping ‘Michael’ idea”.

Breaking news was just a teaser! It was websites that said it was a single. Sony never said it was a single.

 

 

I wonder what that promo idea will be...

 

MJ always liked to do things big. Remember when Sony floated a statue of MJ down the Thames and put up multiple statues around the world in the 90s? I believe a few of them are still standing all these years later (the one in Amsterdam is definitely still there)