Posted by Andrew Unterberger on 05/03/2012 at 10:45 AM News

The Popdust Files: bad, endorsements, michael jackson, pepsi

Remember when Michael Jackson and Pepsi teamed up during Jackson’s incredible post-Thriller boom, which resulted in MJ getting his hair caught on fire, suffering second-degree scalp burns, and suing the soda company for $1.5 million dollars? Well, that partnership went so well that apparently the world’s number one soft drink is gearing up for round two. Pepsi recently announced that Michael’s estate has agreed to have the late pop legend involved with the drink’s (somewhat ironically titled) “Live for Now” campaign, including using MJ’s image on the can (as pictured above) and offering Jackson-inspired leather jackets in contests.

Why now with MJ? Well, we are coming up on the 25th anniversary of Bad, Jackson’s third-most-beloved album, featuring such classic #1 hits as “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror” and “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.” (That last one sucks actually. First two are good though!) That’s the great thing about being a Michael Jackson-sized star—every year you’re coming up on some jewel-worthy anniversary of some kind. For what it’s worth, 2012 also marks the 20th anniversary of Dangerous, the 40th anniversary of “Ben,” and the 10th anniversary of MJ dangling his baby over a hotel balcony because he thought it was cute.

Next up: Pepsi reunites with Madonna for “Like a Prayer ’12,” featuring Madonna dancing in front of a gigantic flaming Pepsi logo.