Pepsi & Michael Jackson: a history in ads
Pepsi has unveiled a TV campaign starring Michael Jackson to mark the 25th anniversary of the pop artist’s ‘Bad’ album. The perfect excuse then to look back at the five best Pepsi adverts starring the self-proclaimed King of Pop.
1983: New Generation
In November 1983, one year after ‘Thriller’ was released, Michael Jackson (and his brothers) struck a $5m (£3.1m) partnership with Pepsi to become the first pop stars to front campaigns for the brand. Jackson moonwalked and boogied in Pepsi’s ‘The New Generation’ TV spot, which featured a reworking of the track Billie Jean.
1984: Convention
On 27 January 1984 the pop star’s hair caught fire during a freak accident on the set of the ‘Convention’ commercial. Jackson was treated for second and third degree burns and the advert has gone on to become synonymous with the incident. The spot was part of Pepsi’s ‘New Generation’ campaign and continued to use the reworked Billie Jean track.
1988: Chase
Pepsi launched a four part campaign which saw Jackson chased down by the paparazzi and fans. The adverts differed from previous editions by ramping up the Pepsi references throughout. It was released during the same year as Jackson’s ‘Moonwalker’ movie and had several homages to the film. The advert was soundtracked to Bad and had Jackson singing about the Pepsi brand.
1991: Dreams
The advert came out in the same year as Jackson’s fourth studio album Dangerous. The advert featured various visual elements taken from his Dangerous album cover. The advert is shot like music video and was heralded at the time for being one of the most elaborate ever filmed.
1993: I’ll be there
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUl4PRwtA3c
The advert starts with a mix of old stock footage of the Jackson family. Michael then hears his younger self singing and performs a duet with himself to the Jackson 5 song ‘I’ll be there’. The commercial was not shown in the United States and was the last Pepsi commercial starring Jackson.
