Michael Jackson x Cirque du Soleil. It was announced today that the famed circus/arts troupe Cirque du Soleil will develop a series of shows based on the music of Michael Jackson. Continuing with their themed Vegas shows, the MJ show will include touring and permanent shows and a nightclub to open in Las Vegas…hopefully not Circus, Circus…b/c you know…the kids. The first project from the partnership will be an arena touring show expected to open in late fall 2011.

“Having attended Cirque du Soleil performances with Michael, I know he was a huge fan,” John Branca, a co-executor of the estate, said in a statement. “We are excited to be partners with Cirque du Soleil to give Michael’s fans a truly unique way to hear, see and feel Michael’s music,” Branca said.

The “Thriller” singer’s estate and Canadian circus company Cirque du Soleil will each own half of each project arising from the partnership. They will split development and production costs, representatives for the estate said.

If the thought of 50 lb. Asian trapeze artists flying through the air to “Thriller” or muscle-bound freaks balancing on each others feet to “Billy Jean” doesn’t get you going…well then..I don’t know what will. Via: Billboard

MJ might have passed away but his family and estate is reaping the benefits having just signed the biggest recording contract in history with Sony Music. The $200 million guaranteed contract is for 10 projects over seven years and depending on performance, could pay out an additional $50 million.

According to various sources, future projects may also include a video game, a DVD compilation of videos and a re-release of “Off the Wall,” Jackson’s fifth studio album. While the deal seems like an astronomical amount of money, Michael was over $400 million in debt when he passed away. Of course it has been after his death where the money and popularity of the King of Pop has had a resurgence. Records indicate his estate made over $100 million from the movie project This Is It.

Michael Jackson x This Is It. Kudos to the Sony marketing staff for pulling off this gem of a viral video. We all know how popular the Filipino inmates dancing to “Thriller” and “YMCA” were on YouTube….and now they are back. Sony actually sent MJ’s choreographer to the Philippines to work on this “This Is It” dance routine all to fuel the hype around the Blu-ray and DVD release of the movie which hits stores today.

Viral video marketing at its finest…almost at a million views in less than three days. More evidence that we need to start taking note how to seed and develop buzz from the film industry. (see Rick Ross’ Teflon Don)

Here is the official Michael Jackson This Is It Blu-ray and DVD trailer which gives you a highlight of all the extras the home entertainment release will have including a crap load of extra music, dance and interview scenes. This Is It comes out on Blu-ray and DVD this Tuesday.

Michael Jackson x PlayStation 3. Sony sure is milking everything out of Michael Jackson’s movie This Is It. Check this Michael Jackson x Sony PS3 package where instead of packaged with a video game it comes packaged with This Is It. The actual PS3 though is not branded with MJ but instead you get a nifty collectors box. Ok not really…but you get a controller. Via: Koalition

Sony should have dropped this music video to fuel the This Is It movie hype…instead they finally released the official version now. At least it was worth the wait as the video is directed by none other than Spike Lee and his 40 Acres and a Mule production company. Still…it would have been nice to have this video as a marketing tool during the film release.

MTV has just released this tribute ribbon/logo in memory of Michael Jackson. Like the concept but it’s just a little creepy.

Perfect for bicep curling and for knowing everything there possibly is to know about Michael Jackson comes the official Michael Jackson OPUS book. The book officially costs $250, weighs 26 lbs., is 400 pages long (at least that’s less than KRS-ONE’s book) and features never-before-seen photos that come to life with music and video using augmented reality.

All you have to do is hold the 26 lb. book up to your computer’s webcam while it is on michaeljacksonopus.com. I’ll be sure to buy one of these as I’ll need to work out from that Thanksgiving meal.