Last Thursday night just before I went to bed I checked my Facebook Profile and there was a message from Joel Comm mentioning that Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital after having a cardiac arrest. 10 Minutes before that I also read another post from Joel also mentioning that Farrah Fawcett died.

What a weird thing… two icons from our generation on one single day?

The next Morning I woke up to the sad news that Michael Jackson passed away and the entire day, television, radio, newspapers and obviously the Internet were remembering the ‘undisputed King of Pop’. However I only saw a note or two about Farrah Fawcett!

This actually got me thinking…

Who hasn’t seen this Picture before?

I had this poster in my room when I was 10 years old! As I am sure a lot of other teens and pree-teens on the late 70’s

Farrah was an Icon from the 1970’s and 1980’s!

Or Was she?

After she left Charlie’s Angels and Divorced Lee Majors, I’ve hardly heard from her!

Sure, I know that she married Ryan O’neal and she posed nude thrice  for Playboy…

But besides that, it’s very little what Iremember about her life or career!

In the other hand, Michael Jackson was not only an Icon from the 7o’s 80’s and 90’s but he was a BRAND!

I strongly believe that he was one of the  most recognized persons in the  world topped only by possibly Princess Diana and a couple of other people.

In fact it is quite possible that his ‘Brand’ was the greatest ‘Brand’ EVER!

His Glasses, red jacket, white glove, moon walk and weird excentricity made him one of the most recognized persons EVER.

Now, when we think of a brand we think of a product, right?

Remember the days that possibly Coca Cola was the most recognized brand in the World?

Those days are FAR gone, these days Google, Starbucks, Apple and Skype top the charts!

Now, think in terms of a person as a brand… (Fill in the Blanks)

Eccentric, Adventurous Billionaire with long hair and a goatee beard _________________________

White glittery suits, black greased hair and amazing dance moves _____________________________

Controversial African American Boxer who claimed: HE was “the greatest” ______________________

I’ve got no doubt you guessed that I was talking about Richard Branson, Elvis Presley and Muhhamad Ali!

My point is: Michael Jackson was a MUCH biger brand than Farrah Fawcett and that’s the reason why the media did not pay as much attention to her death as they did to Michael’s.

June the 25th 2009 will go into history as a very bizarre day! Two icons passed away in one single day. As far as I can remember this has never happened before. So, for me to see the huge difference in media covering each of the deaths attracted  was a learning experience.

What is what I learned?

Being Beautiful or doing a ‘one time off” outrageous stunt (posing for Playboy) will not create a long lasting impact. However being unique and using your talent and imagiation to it’s full potential  WILL indeed create a long lasting impact in whatever you do, no matter how weird or controversial your world can seem to others.

No matter what you do make sure to work on your ‘BRAND’. Make sure your uniqueness shines!

Michael & Farrah, thanks for having existed and for being part of my life in many ways. May you rest in peace.

Ernesto

Please let me know what you think and tell me about your own personal ‘brand’ on the comment box below!