Michael Jackson’s Long-Term Commercial Appeal

While an intense video of Michael Jackson’s 1984 Pepsi shoot gone wrong has dominated headlines this week, but that infamous ad certainly isn’t the only TV spot the King of Pop lent his talents to during the ‘80s and ‘90s.

In videos popping up across YouTube, Michael’s advertisements for a number of companies – and his accompanying dance moves – are being brought back to light.

In one clip, a behind-the-scenes look at a 1982 Suzuki commercial (CLICK HERE to watch), a shirtless Michael rehearses some dance moves to the soundtrack of “Off The Wall,” later dressing up in button-down shirts and dancing around two Suzuki motor scooters. He’s pictured driving one down to the beach and dancing with a girl as the sun sets.

Michael also appeared – as a raisin! – in a claymation commercial for California Raisins in 1989, singing a dance version of the Motown hit “I Heard It Through The Grape Vine.” (CLICK HERE to watch)

More recently, he did a 1991 international ad for Sony in which he sang and danced in the desert. He also did a 1997 international spot for Esonic’s videodisc player, beaming down to a group of kids in a scene reminiscent of “Star Trek” and saying, “I bring you the future.” (CLICK HERE and HERE to watch)

Celebrity endorsements are commonplace nowadays, but Michael was a pioneer in the field. His initial deal with Pepsi, for which the 1984 commercial was filmed, was the first of its kind – a $5 million agreement that led to increased sales for Pepsi and pitched the soft drink as the beverage of choice for a younger generation. Michael later signed again with Pepsi for a $10 million sponsorship for his “Bad” tour, an international deal that reached over 20 countries, according to Ad Week.

In light of their long relationship, a Pepsi rep told Access Hollywood on Friday that the company was unhappy to see the footage of the 1984 incident released.

“We don’t know how the footage became available. This was an unfortunate, highly publicized accident that occurred more than 25 years ago. It was a terrifying event that we’ll never forget. We were grateful for Michael’s recovery and for the chance to continue working with him on a number of successful projects,” the rep said in a statement to Access. “As for Michael as an artist, his music helped us define a generation and, like everyone else, we’re deeply saddened by his passing.”

The video’s source is currently unknown. However, Jay Coleman, the agent who brokered the Pepsi deals for Michael, told Access in a new interview on Friday, July 17, that the star himself wanted the footage released directly afterward to answer the public clamor – but the company convinced him to keep it under wraps.