Wacko Jacko

During the course of my workday, I receive all kinds of press releases - from development updates on the latest highrise to sales where and till when. Today, however, I hit the Mother Load:

ATTENTION: NEWS EDITOR

Following and attached as a Word document is a news release on Michael Jackson’s first visit to Dubai which is issued on behalf of Mohammed Ben Sulayem who has been escorting the pop superstar around his home city.
Also attached are three photographs for use with this story.

Michael Jackson has been on a private visit to Dubai and we are unable to provide you with any other details.

(Note that they are, however, able to provide you with pictures AND a WHOLE damn press release)

Best regards
PR PERSON

DUBAI’S A REAL THRILLER FOR MICHAEL JACKSON

Pop superstar impressed by landmark developments
on city tour with rally ace Sulayem

Dubai, UAE, 28th August 2005: Dubai has made a big impression on
Michael Jackson who was thrilled by the development he saw, and the hospitality he experienced, during his first visit to the Emirate.

The pop superstar has just spent a week exploring the sights of Dubai in the company of H.H.Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamed Al Khalifa, son of the King of Bahrain.

Top Arab motor sport personality Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who escorted Jackson and Sheikh Abdullah around his home city, said: “Michael had a wonderful time and he was surprised and impressed by what he found in Dubai.”

“He had heard that some amazing developments are taking place here, but he was still astonished to see the scale of the expansion and particular projects like The World and The Palm Jumeirah.”

The pop world’s most famous entertainer, who has been staying in Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah, chatted happily with delighted staff at the offices of major developer Nakheel before taking a boat trip to see how The World and The Palm have emerged as internationally recognised landmarks.

“He was incredibly polite and pleasant with everyone he met,” said Sulayem, the 14-times Middle East rally champion and organiser of the UAE Desert Challenge, the world championship motor sport event.

“Michael is very special for many reasons. We all know about his music and his incredible career, but not many people realise what a genuinely nice person he is.”

“He has achieved so much and is such a unique entertainer, but one of his greatest gifts is that he is an extremely warm and friendly individual who quickly puts you at ease when you meet him.”

Jackson, whose best-selling album of all time, “Thriller”, has sold over 51 million copies, hopes to return to Dubai in the near future.

Said Sulayem: “He would love to be able to spend more time here and will always be welcome. He enjoyed and appreciated the hospitality he was shown, and that is one of the reasons why he feels so comfortable in this part of the world.”

Here's my take on things:



The grapevine is abuzz that Jacko is looking at buying property in Dubai. Are we gonna have a Smooth Criminal hanging in the Dairy aisle at Spinney's now?