Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Pam Frazier, Media Relations [email protected] Jerry Biederman, Co-founder / Executive Producer [email protected] / (818) 599-2428

Former Michael Jackson Spokesperson Stuart Backerman Joins the Largest MJ Tribute in the World www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com attracts top celebrities in a unique global fan-driven tribute.

Los Angeles, California – Celebrity spokesperson Stuart Backerman has announced he is joining The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait project, the largest and most respected Michael Jackson tribute in the world. Mr. Backerman served as Jackson’s publicist and spokesperson for nearly two years between 2002 and 2004 and is now leading the PR campaign to inform millions of fans worldwide that the best way to commemorate the one year anniversary of Michael’s passing is to become part of Michael’s Tribute Portrait. A section of the portrait created using only dots. “There are many tributes out there, but this is the one that all fans can actually participate in regardless of who they are or where they are in the world,” said Backerman.

The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is a partnership of many major international fan clubs, including The Michael Jackson Fan Club (http://www.MJfanclub.net), established by the King of Pop himself. The Tribute Portrait has the support of many celebrities and those who were close to Jackson, including Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Jermaine Jackson and David Ilan Larry King, Jermaine Jackson, George Lopez, Dionne Warwick, on the red carpet of a MJTP event. Stephanie Mills, Vivica A. Fox, Adam Lambert, Teddy Riley, Travis Payne, Mickey Rooney, Magic Johnson and many more.

The tribute is a one-of-a-kind, charitable, global art project that has brought together more than a quarter of a million fans in more than 180 countries thus far. This innovative, interactive work of art is being created by LA-based celebrity artist David Ilan using a technique called pointillism – made from hand drawn dots. Two years ago, the artist came up with the innovative idea to associate Dionne Warwick receives her dot. Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait

each dot in his drawings with a real person and their message on any given topic. One Dot = One Person. He has created portraits of various celebrities and public officials.Among those who have participated in his “dot drawings” are Scarlett Johansson, David Beckham, Jerry Seinfeld, Julie Louis Dreyfus, Vanessa William, Maria Shriver and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It will take at least one million fans to complete the dot drawing for Michael Jackson (a museum piece in the making, which has captured the interest of several museums, including the Smithsonian).

A dot is not drawn on the canvas until someone signs up for it on the tribute website.

“The more fans join, the more Michael’s image in the portrait grows and the more the world can see who he really was – not just the greatest entertainer of all time, but a great humanitarian who brought millions together through his art and giving heart,” said portrait artist David Ilan.

After fans get their dots, they can “connect their dots” with other likeminded people from all over the world. The website has been called “a Facebook just for Michael Jackson fans.”

Jackson’s former attorney, Tom Mesereau, also recently expressed his support of the tribute, because he loves the concept. Both Mesereau and Backerman worked for Michael Jackson at the time of his 2005 trial – the darkest period of his life. They successfully defended him, but his image continued to be tarnished after his acquittal. Now, following Jackson’s death, the attorneys for Dr. Conrad Murray (the man charged with his death) plan to put Jackson on trial again as a defense tactic for their client. As a result of the continuing tarnishing of Jackson’s image, Mr. Backerman has returned in a labor of love for his former boss, to remind the world of Michael Jackson’s true spirit as personified by his Tribute Portrait.

The MJ Tribute Portrait is a continual work of art that requires fan participation for its completion. Once the artist has drawn the one millionth dot needed to finish the portrait project, it will go on a world tour to promote the humanitarian causes that Jackson cared about.

“We see Michael’s Tribute Portrait as an opportunity to carry on Michael’s work. This is our mission,” said Executive Producer Jerry Biederman. Once the portrait tour is completed, the artist will present it as a gift to Jackson’s mother and children.

Fans can go to http://www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com to sign up for their free dot, witness daily progress of the portrait as it grows to completion, and connect with other fans around the world.

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