Press Release: Sony/ATV Acquires

Sony/ATV Music Publishing To Acquire Famous Music LLC – PRESS RELEASE Famous is one of the largest independent music publishers in the U.S. NEW YORK, May 30 /PRNewswire/ — Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Viacom Inc. today announced that they have signed an agreement for Sony/ATV to acquire Famous Music LLC from Viacom. Sony/ATV Music Publishing is co-owned by Sony and trusts formed by Michael Jackson. “The Famous Music catalogue is a world-class asset filled with evergreen songs that people know and love,” said Martin N. Bandier, Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing. “The depth and breadth of the catalogue is what truly makes it great, and I strongly believe that the addition of the Famous catalogue and its songwriters to Sony/ATV is another step in our long-range growth plans. In addition, we are pleased to be entering the production music business through Famous’ Extreme division. Extreme’s valuable creative team and unique business model will be a terrific complement to our core music publishing business.” “Famous Music is one of the iconic names in music publishing,” said Philippe Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom. “We are very pleased that Sony/ATV Music Publishing has recognized its great value and potential. We have benefited greatly from the talent and experience of the very able management team at Famous Music, particularly its long time CEO, Irwin Robinson, as well as Ira Jaffe, President and Chief Operating Officer; and Margaret Johnson, Executive Vice President Finance and Administration. We know that Famous and its fine executives have many great days ahead and want to thank them for their tremendous accomplishments.” “Famous Music is one of the world’s largest independent music publishers, and this acquisition, following on the heels of the Leiber Stoller acquisition, further enhances Sony/ATV’s position in the global music publishing industry,” said Rob Wiesenthal, Chief Financial Officer, Sony Corporation of America. [b]”This is a milestone event for Sony/ATV Music Publishing,” said Michael Jackson. “The diverse collection of songs in this catalogue range from timeless classics to contemporary hits, and I am pleased to add the acquisition of Famous Music to Sony/ATV.”[/b] (Read on)

Aphrodite Jones: “Shame On Us” – MediaBistro

Wednesday, May 23 [b]Aphrodite Jones: “Shame On Us”[/b] One of the gazillion reporters assigned to the Michael Jackson trial has a tell-all book about how the media got the story wrong. On June 10, she’ll be in L.A. to be honored by the Brookins Community A.M.E. Church for her work — and, presumably, to hock some books. Aphrodite Jones, wrote Michael Jackson Conspiracy, after two years of reviewing official transcripts and evidence provided by the court.

MJ in London May 22 2007

In case you haven’t heard by now, the breaking news is that Michael Jackson is in LONDON today! Check out the latest pic: [img]http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070522/capt.lon80805221121.britain_jackson_lon808.jpg[/img]

Statement Re: Auction Settlement – Raymone Bain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Raymone K. Bain May 18, 2007 MICHAEL JACKSON AND UNITED EXPRESS REACH SETTLEMENT AUCTION TO PROCEED AS SCHEDULED Las Vegas, NV …….Michael Jackson and Universal Express are pleased to announce the completion of a confidential resolution to the action disputing title to the items being auctioned at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 30 and 31, 2007, or by logging on to liveauctioneers.com. “Mr. Jackson is satisfied with the negotiated settlement,” stated Raymone K. Bain, Jackson spokesperson, “and is pleased that some of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to certain charities. As this is a confidential agreement, we will be making no further comments. ”

Memorabilia Settlement, Bid to Block Auction Dropped

Jackson drops bid to block Vegas auction By KEN RITTER, Associated Press Writer 37 minutes ago LAS VEGAS – Lawyers for Michael Jackson on Friday dropped an effort to block an auction of the pop star’s personal belongings and other Jackson family items, including Jackson’s gold record for his “Thriller” album. Jackson didn’t appear in a Las Vegas court where his lawyer told a judge that a confidential agreement had been reached with representatives of an auctioneer, the current owner of the materials, and a New Jersey man who claimed a warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court. “The matter’s been resolved,” Gregory Cross, a lawyer for Jackson, told Clark County District Court Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez.