Bell Yard Press Coverage

Jackson drafts in crisis PR following Bashir interview

By Gidon Freeman
7 February 2003

LONDON - The singer Michael Jackson has drafted in crisis PR support as he battles to save his reputation in the midst of a media onslaught following this week's 'Tonight' interview with Martin Bashir.

Jackson drafted in Bell Yard late on Monday night as the tabloid attacks began to gather pace. He was damned in the press for openly admitting that he shares his bedroom with young children - although he insisted such relationships were not sexual and were innocent in nature. It is believed the crisis PROs were called in on the advice of the superstar's Los Angeles-based law firm , Paul Hastings Janofsky and Walker, as well as his UK legal team at Theodore Goddard. But the first call is understood to have been made by Andrew Hochhauser, the Essex Court barrister briefed by Jackson's London solicitors. Bell Yard founder Richard Elsen and Melanie Riley are handling the account along with consultant Stephen Lock, their former colleague from Cicero Consulting. Fees are not yet determined but could easily run to six figures as the hourly rates are clocked up. 'We are working on media messaging in the UK and Europe and acting as Jackson's spokesman in the UK media,' Elsen told PRWeek.

Although there is no hint yet of litigation following the Bashir expose, Jackson's company MJJ Productions Inc, is at the 'correspondence between the parties stage,' according to Elsen.

'Jackson was aggrieved by the programme and wishes us to help him with damage limitation,' Elsen added. If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum here.

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