It’s been quite a fortnight for Twitter. First, it proved a degree of usefulness and worth when the recent conflict in Iran saw many Iranians using the microblogging tool as their primary means of communication with the outside world. Last night, I got word of Michael Jackson’s death over an hour before the BBC announced the news. And today, I saw Twitter mobilize hundreds of Londoners for a flash moonwalk mob, organised in honour of the late King of Pop. The Mass Moonwalk took place on 26 June at 6pm in London’s Liverpool Street Station. The event was organised by Milo Yiannopoulos, a local tech writer and twitter/online celebrity who managed to spread the word, find a sound system, coordinate with police, get shed loads of press and pull off a successful event in half a day.
I’ll do a more thorough post, as well as post some videos, over the weekend but I was right at the centre of the action for the event are here are some photos from the mass London Moonwalk.
The headlines of every newspaper featured MJ - this was a particularly interesting headline, right next to the thousands of Londoners out to pay their respects.
Reporters, cameras and news crews were on hand to cover the event which was featured in every piece of London press from the Guardian to Spoonfed.
Milo Yiannopoulos, the organiser of the event, was the centre of attention throughout the event.
Hundreds of people were on hand to pay their respects to Michael Jackson, waving newspapers with full-page images of the star, doning white gloves, and hiding themselves behind black umbrellas.
Although the moonwalk tribute marks Jacko's death, the mood was decidedly upbeat and attempted moonwalking quickly turned into a joyous dance party to MJ anthems.
Dozens of police were on hand to make sure things didn't get out of control - but the crowd behaved themselves throughout the event.
Overall it was a sad catalyst for a spontaneous and enjoyable event.
Meaghan Fitzgerald is a marketer and entrepreneur building and growing consumer and gaming products and experiences. A Silicon Valley native, she started her first company, DormWise, in 2006 which she later sold in 2009. Meaghan spent 7 years in London in early stage consumer startups, two years at Xbox as a product marketer for Minecraft, and is currently the head of product marketing for VR experiences at Facebook and Oculus. Meaghan writes here about business, technology, gaming, and marketing. She has been named a top
Thanks for this blog about the moonwalk because I could not get down there, so wanted to see what happened. Like your cool b/w and sepia photos.
It is such a great loss that a man with great talent like Michael Jackson dies. RIP King of POP.
Why is London to blame? I thought is was Captian Hook’s fault.
Michael Jackson is my favorite pop artist ever since i was a child. He is truly the King of Pop and i am saddened by this news.
michael jackson is a very very talented person to the point that he rose as a pop icon. he would live forever in our history books and memories…
Michael Jackson will be the greatest pop singer in the whole world. Everyone will miss him.