About Mark Wittenberg

Michael Jackson Expert, Collector & Co-Founder of MJ Memories

Haarlem | The Netherlands | 2026

Hi there, I'm Mark Wittenberg, founder of MJ Memories and a Michael Jackson fan since the age of 5. 

My mother loved Michael too and used to play and dance to his music all the time.
So I am not joking when I say I was a fan since before I was born...

What caught my attention was Michael's voice. His voice stuck with me.
And not quite in the way you might expect. It was the "And up they went, E.T. and his pals, higher and higher, whoo hooo hoooow..."
Yes, that was the cue to run to the television, and then it was gone...
This happened repeatedly until the commercial was no longer on air.

Then came We Are the World, and I was amazed by that voice...
But being very little, I did not connect the two yet.

I can't remember any children's songs that I liked. I was into real music and listened to the Rolling Stones, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney until...

BAD!

I ran to the radio and shouted, "Who is this?!"
My mother replied, "That is Michael Jackson."
Wow!

Since that day, most of the other music on my tapes was gone, replaced one by one with Michael Jackson's songs.

Then all the magazines, concert specials on TV, and the hype of the BAD Tour followed.

This made me realise that I had become a fan for the third time!

Forgive me for this, but through a child's eyes, the beautiful Black lady in We Are the World was somehow that really cool dude in the BAD video!

At a moment in time when many people were confused about how Michael looked, it felt completely normal to me. No judgement.

And in MJ's words: "It don't matter if you're black or white!"

I was so lucky to discover that we had a family member who worked at Sony Netherlands.

They told me about upcoming album and single releases, and later about the upcoming Decade album.

Some insider information at an early age, and the start of my MJ collection.

Unfortunately, I was too young to attend the BAD Tour. For the Dangerous Tour, I didn't have the money, so I didn't go either...

Then came the accusations against Michael. Devastating.
Especially the way the press mistreated him.

I hated to see that. The way he was misrepresented by so many people gave me the motivation to do better.

You could say HIStory partly wrote my history.

It was the start of the adventure of a lifetime: travelling to many different countries, meeting fans from all over the world, making friends, attending events, working with the media, Radio 538, British radio, television interviews for RTL, CNN, BBC, Japanese TV and more, attending the trial, business meetings, meeting Michael's family, and of course meeting Michael several times!

After all these years of experience and knowledge, you could say I am a Michael Jackson expert.

Publishing the MJ Times newspaper, helping prepare events for Michael, releasing official merchandise, organising release events, attending the trial, witnessing his memorial, and being a guest of Michael's family.

The biggest honour was being introduced as a friend of the family.

I am proud that I always treated Michael like a normal person.

I can talk about this for hours and hours, and that passion is now part of MJ Memories.

And just like Michael's HIStory continues, ours continues too, and we hope you will join us!

Let's make sure HIStory is never forgotten!
Meeting Joe Jackson | Germanty | 2004
Backstage Jacksons concert
Cardiff interview BBC
This is it press conference London

Media, press & Public engagements (2003 - Present)

2026 (The 'Michael' Biopic Release Era)

  • April 2026 – [ZDF Berlin] European Movie Launch – On-camera interview filmed on location in Berlin during the European promotional activities and Global Fan Celebration for the Hollywood biopic Michael, focusing on the rehabilitation of his legacy.
  • April 2026 – [Dutch Radio Networks] National Movie Release – A series of prominent studio and telephone interviews across major Dutch stations discussing the massive box office success, the historical accuracy of the film, and the emotional response of the community.

2022 – 2025

  • 24 July 2025 – [NPO Radio 1 NOS Journaal] Pop History Analysis – Live musical analysis on national radio dissecting the massive historical significance of The Jacksons following their concert at the Concertgebouw. [Link] nporadio1.nl
  • 29 August 2023 – [NPO Radio 5 Bert Haandrikman] Studio Guest – Main studio guest on the national morning show Goeiedag Haandrikman! celebrating Michael Jackson’s 65th birthday and honoring his artistic legacy. [Link] nporadio5.nl
  • November 2022 – [Thriller 40 Release] National Press Series – Interviews for various national and regional radio stations following the 40th-anniversary celebration of Thriller, discussing its unmatched status as the best-selling album of all time.

2019 – 2020 (Leaving Neverland & Square One Premiere)

  • February 2020 – [De Balie Amsterdam] Square One Dutch Premiere & Press Campaign – Following the exclusive Dutch premiere of the counter-documentary Square One at De Balie in Amsterdam, you and Marije Veerman delivered a series of coordinated press interviews. Together, you acted as spokespersons to challenge the Leaving Neverland narrative, presenting evidence-based arguments and court files directly to the Dutch media to vindicate Michael Jackson.
  • February 2020 – [Utrecht Academic Lecture] Trial by Media Presentation – A formal presentation and guest lecture delivered in Utrecht for journalism students, clinically analyzing the heavily biased media dynamics surrounding the documentary using official court files. This presentation was held exactly one day before the highly anticipated Square One premiere in Amsterdam.
  • 18 January 2020 – [Trouw] Square One Cinema Preview – A national press review covering the upcoming Amsterdam cinema screening of Square One, an event entirely organized and hosted by you. [Link] trouw.nl
  • January 2020 – [Algemeen Dagblad (AD)] National Newspaper Coverage – A prominent feature and news report in the AD covering the mobilization of the Dutch fanbase and your role in organizing the exclusive screening of Square One as an evidence-based rebuttal to the allegations.
  • 29 May 2019 – [NRC] Best HIStory Statue Investigation – A prominent investigative reconstruction of the social unrest and subsequent removal of the iconic HIStory statue at McDonald's Best, detailing your campaign for its permanent relocation. [Link] nrc.nl
  • 2019 – [Latin American Media Networks] Global Spanish Broadcasts – Official spokesperson for Spanish-language news channels covering the massive international ripple effect of the Dutch billboard campaign.
  • 8 April 2019 – [Omroep PowNed / YouTube] Amersfoort Demonstration – A televised video interview in front of the mobile billboard trucks during the physical protest outside the national headquarters of McDonald's Netherlands. [Link] YouTube/PowNed
  • March 2019 – [National TV Debate] Live Clash with Michiel Vos – A sharp, high-profile televised debate where you stood directly opposite US correspondent Michiel Vos. During this heavy discussion, you firmly argued that "justice must also be found in interview form," criticizing how a public media tribunal was weaponized to bypass rigorous legal processes and his previous 2005 court acquittal.
  • March 2019 – [Qmusic Vlaanderen] Belgian National Radio – A radio broadcast for the Belgian audience detailing why radio networks must continue playing Michael Jackson's music based on facts rather than allegations. [Link] hln.be
  • 8 March 2019 – [De Telegraaf] National Media Feature – An exclusive interview highlighting the international crowdfunding campaign you spearheaded to launch the MJ Innocent mobile billboards across Dutch highways. [Link] telegraaf.nl
  • 8 March 2019 – [RTL Nieuws / RTL Boulevard] Media Park Protest – Official on-camera spokesperson during the organized peaceful fan protests outside the Media Park in Hilversum. [Link] rtlnieuws.nl
  • 8 March 2019 – [NRC] Full-Page National Newspaper Interview – A deep-dive, full-page feature explaining the motivation behind your public fight for vindication: "I am standing here for Michael Jackson because he can no longer do it himself." [Link] nrc.nl
  • 7 March 2019 – [Radio 538 Frank Dane] Live Morning Show Feature – A fierce live studio interview with host Frank Dane. In a highly dramatic and widely discussed segment, you confronted the station with Radio 538's ultimate historic blunder: you revealed how you had personally arranged an exclusive, officially approved 1-on-1 interview with Michael Jackson in the Netherlands circa 2003. When you arrived in the middle of the night with all preparations ready at the station's famous studio on the Koninginneweg in Hilversum, the 538 staff famously failed to even open the door for you, causing the station to lose the biggest exclusive interview in its broadcasting history. [Link] 538.nl

2011 – 2018

  • September 2016 – [Radio Veronica Album Top 750] National Radio Feature – A highly praised, extensive radio interview broadcast nationally after listeners voted Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the #1 Greatest Album Ever Made. As the definitive expert, you delivered a deep-dive analysis on why the record remains culturally unmatched, detailing the production masterclass of Quincy Jones and why Thriller continues to stand solitary at the apex of music history.
  • December (Multiple Years) – [3FM Serious Request] The Glass House Charity – Coordination of a massive fan-driven fundraising campaign. You presented a significant monetary donation live on the radio to DJ Gerard Ekdom on behalf of the fan community under the banner of "Heal the World."
  • October 2011 – [UK Press / Cardiff Wales] International Media – On-site interviews with British press during the Michael Forever Tribute Concert at the Millennium Stadium, highlighting the solidarity of the global community.
  • 25 June 2011 – [Stichting Nederlandse Top 40] Official Anniversary Interview – A prominent interview with the official Dutch Top 40 media team on the second anniversary of Michael's passing. You outlined why the community deliberately chose to celebrate his life and legacy (remembering the recent visit of his nephew Dealz) rather than organizing a somber memorial. [Link] top40.nl/nieuws
  • May 2011 – [National Fan Day] Dealz Meet & Greet – Organization of a massive Dutch fan gathering where you successfully flew in Michael Jackson’s nephew Dealz (Siggy Jackson, son of Jackie Jackson) to the Netherlands for an exclusive event.

June / December 2009 – 2010 (Posthumous Eras & Album Controversy)

  • December 2010 – [Ruud de Wild Show / National Radio] The "Michael" Album Vocal Controversy – A major live radio feature following the release of the posthumous album Michael. Ruud de Wild brought you on the air to address the massive global backlash from fans and the Jackson family regarding the suspicious "Cascio tracks" (Breaking News, Keep Your Head Up, Monster). You delivered a sharp critique on behalf of the Dutch community, voicing the fans' deep skepticism regarding the authenticity of the vocals and discussing the ongoing ethical dilemma of a potential album boycott.
  • 4 December 2009 – [Het Parool] National Newspaper Feature – A major featured article showcasing your position as a top collector and prominent figure at the National Collectors Fair shortly after the release of This Is It. The piece highlights your heavily discussed prediction that the global demand and sales records for Michael Jackson would endure for decades to come.
  • October 2009 – [Pathé Tuschinski Amsterdam] This Is It Grand Premier – At the star-studded national movie premiere of This Is It inside the historic Tuschinski theater, you took the main stage for an exclusive live on-stage interview. Standing side-by-side with legendary Radio 538 DJ Jeroen Nieuwenhuize, you addressed the VIP audience and national entertainment press, celebrating Michael's creative genius and final performance blueprint.
  • August 2009 – [National Tribute Talent Contest] Jury Panel Chair – Serving as an official prominent member of the expert jury panel to evaluate and select the "New Michael Jackson" tribute artist in the Netherlands.
  • August 2009 – [NH Nieuws & National Press] Live Hotline with Jackie Jackson – During a massive memorial gathering you organized for fans in Hoofddorp on Michael's first posthumous birthday, you established a live telephone connection directly with Michael's brother, Jackie Jackson. Following a minute of silence, you addressed him on speakerphone to convey the solidarity of the Dutch community.
  • July 2009 – [ZIP! / Japanese Television] International News Feature – On-camera interviews for Japanese news crews in Los Angeles highlighting the global unity of the collector community.
  • July 2009 – [NPO 3FM GIEL] National Morning Show – A live telephonic broadcast from Los Angeles with host Giel Beelen, delivering an immediate report directly from the official memorial service.
  • June / July 2009 – [RTL / SBS6] National TV Special Features – Comprehensive television breakdowns directly following his passing, including appearances on the Shownieuws desk with Sandra Schuurhof and an in-studio feature with Froukje de Both for RTL.
  • June / July 2009 – [NOS Journaal / 8 Our Journaal] National News – Numerous live studio and location broadcasts as the definitive spokesperson in the Netherlands to contextualize the shock, the grief, and the historical impact of losing Michael Jackson.
  • 7 July 2009 – [Qmusic Vlaanderen] Belgian National Radio Feature – A prime-time radio segment for the Belgian audience, analyzing the events, emotions, and atmosphere inside the Staples Center during the official memorial service.
  • 7 July 2009 – [Radio 538 Evers Staat Op] National Memorial Special – A live broadcast from Los Angeles with host Edwin Evers right after the Staples Center memorial service. You described the royal respect shown to Michael, stating: "The way Michael was presented was exactly the way he really was, and how he was treated like Royalty. That is the way we always treated him! I loved the respect given to him there, but it should have been done for him when he was alive." [Link] radio538.nl
  • 7 July 2009 – [Omroep West] TV Documentary Feature – A dedicated television report tracking your journey to Los Angeles as a prominent Dutch fan representative on-site at the Staples Center memorial service.
  • 6 July 2009 – [De Telegraaf] National Newspaper Exclusive – An extensive print interview conducted on-location at the Hilton Downtown Los Angeles, published nationwide on July 7th to a subscriber base of 2 million readers. [Link] Telegraaf Print Archive Photo
  • June / July 2009 – [BBC Radio 5 Live] Posthumous News Special – Extended breaking news contributions and reaction interviews on the prominent British radio network following the devastating news of June 25th, contextualizing the immense grief and shock hitting the tightly knit European fan community.
  • 26 June 2009 – [Netwerk (NOS/VPRO)] Dutch National TV News Feature – A prominent televised interview on national TV discussing your love for Michael Jackson, managing global fanclub phone calls, coordinating with the BBC, and detailing the deep emotional impact of his passing on fans. [Link] YouTube Archive
  • June / July 2009 – [Catawiki Collector Magazine] Memorabilia Expert Interview – A prominent feature as a top collector and expert. The in-depth interview focused entirely on the art of collecting, analyzing the rarest Michael Jackson memorabilia, and evaluating "the missed opportunity" regarding historical market entries and the evaluation of rare artifacts right after his passing. [Link] catawiki.com
  • June 2009 – [Independent Culture Magazine] Deep-Dive Feature – An extensive background interview in an independent magazine exploring the psychology of the hard-core fanbase. This article featured your widely quoted statement: "Michael Jackson gives me energy, Michael Jackson is in my DNA."

2008 – 2009 (Milestones & This Is It Announcements)

  • 5 March 2009 – [Japanese & British Television] London Location Interviews – Detailed location interviews at the O2 Arena with major British and Japanese television networks discussing tour expectations, logistics, and fan euphoria.
  • March 2009 – [De Telegraaf & National Media] The Ultimate Ticket Commitment – In a highly publicized national press interview following the ticket sales launch, you famously announced your plans to take months off from work and temporarily move to London. You stated your ultimate goal was to live there for the duration of the residency to witness as many of the 50 upcoming concerts as possible live. [Link] telegraaf.nl/entertainment
  • 3 March 2009 – [BBC & Global Press Conference] This Is It Tour Launch – On-camera interviews at the O2 Arena in London during Michael Jackson's official press conference announcing the This Is It concert series. [Link] nu.nl/achterklap
  • 29 August 2008 – [BBC Show News] International Radio Interview – Interviewed by the BBC regarding the 50th birthday celebrations, what fans could expect, and promoting the official Sony King of Pop CD compilation release.
  • August 2008 – [Michael 50 Years Party] Official Album Event – Coordination and organization of the official album promotion and massive national open-air birthday event for fans celebrating Michael's 50th birthday.
  • February 2008 – [Thriller 25 Promotion] Radio & Music Press – Various media appearances and interviews for Dutch radio and music stations celebrating the release of the 25th-anniversary edition of Thriller, explaining the timeless cultural impact of the album.
  • 2 February 2008 – [Official Thriller 25 Release Party] Event Organization – Organized the official national 25th-anniversary celebration of Thriller in direct collaboration with Sony BMG in Utrecht.

2005 (The Santa Maria Trial Era)

  • 2005 – [The MJ Times] Independent Newspaper Publication – Creator and publisher of "The MJ Times", a definitive report on the trial published entirely without negative media bias, containing comprehensive evidence supporting Michael’s innocence. The publication was eventually translated into 10 different languages globally.
  • June 2005 – [Nieuwe Revu] National Print Magazine Interview – A prominent background feature in the major weekly magazine published immediately following Michael Jackson's full acquittal. You acted as the definitive voice of the Dutch fan community, breaking down how the fans experienced the historic verdict.
  • 13 June 2005 – [NPR National Public Radio] United States Radio Feature – Contributed as an international expert to a specialized radio segment titled "Is Michael's Career Over?", stating: "When there is a regular person who has a court case, did you see this? No, I don't think so! Michael’s bigger than ever, and Michael will be back!" [Link] npr.org
  • May / June 2005 – [ZDF] German Public Television – International TV interviews analyzing the deep loyalty of fans and delivering sharp criticism against the one-sided mainstream reporting across Europe.
  • May / June 2005 – [CNN] International News Network – Live commentary and expert quotes representing the European fan base across global American broadcasts, highlighting the unwavering international support of the fans during the trial.
  • Mei / Juni 2005 – [Radio 538 Evers Staat Op] National Morning Show – Live telephonic updates provided to host Edwin Evers regarding the volatile daily atmosphere and legal developments surrounding the Santa Maria courthouse.
  • May 2005 – [Schiphol Airport] Arrival Interview – National media outlets intercepted you directly at the arrival gate at Schiphol Airport following your flight back from Los Angeles for an immediate live response regarding the courtroom atmosphere and trial impressions.
  • May 2005 – [BBC Radio 5 Live] International Trial Analysis – Multiple live phone interviews conducted directly from the Santa Maria courthouse grounds, explaining the European fan community's viewpoint on the trial and providing counter-arguments to the British public against the aggressive US media approach.
  • 19 May 2005 – [RTL 4 Barend & Van Dorp] TV Talk Show Guest – Main studio guest alongside the Dutch Minister of Transportation (Karla Peijs), crime author Simon de Waal, and military figure Marco Kroon, with Jan Mulder serving as the sharp co-host. You provided a comprehensive live report after monitoring the trial in California for two weeks, resulting in the production team labeling you "the showstopper" of that broadcast. [Link] rtl.nl/barendenvandorp
  • May 2005 – [Holland Media Huis] Exclusive Trial Reporting (Breaking News) – When prominent US correspondent Max Westerman missed his flight to California, you officially stepped in for him. You delivered exclusive, first-hand journalistic reports live from Santa Maria for Holland Media Huis, providing crucial updates directly from the heart of the trial.
  • May 2005 – [Santa Maria Times] U.S. Newspaper Feature – An exclusive on-site interview in front of the California courthouse during the criminal trial, explaining the deep loyalty of European fans and dissecting the lack of credible evidence.
  • May 2005 – [Schiphol Airport] Departure Interview – A major press interview at Schiphol Airport just before boarding your flight to the United States, outlining the expectations of the fan club and the goals of traveling to the courthouse.
  • 11 February 2005 – [Santa Barbara News-Press] U.S. Newspaper Feature – Providing a powerful statement to the local American press regarding your independent research: "We wrote the MJ Times, and checked and double-checked the information, our conclusion: Michael is Innocent."
  • 31 January 2005 – [EenVandaag] Dutch National TV Feature – Guest in a news documentary presented by renowned anchor Jaap Jongbloed. The feature highlighted your extensive preparations for your second journey to the US and the publication of "The MJ Times"—a supportive newspaper headlining Michael's innocence, translated into 7 languages at that time. [Link] eenvandaag.nl

2003 – 2004 (Early Actions)

  • November 2003 – [SBS6 Shownieuws] TV Studio & Location Interviews – Your very first major national television appearances. Immediately following Michael Jackson's arrest, you acted as the nationwide voice for the shocked but resilient fan community.
  • November 2003 – [Dam Square Amsterdam] National Fan Protest – Organization of and participation in the large-scale protest on Dam Square directly following the raid on Neverland Ranch. This early media offensive demanded a fair trial and generated major national press coverage.
  • April / November 2003 – [Mega Record & CD Fair Utrecht] Stand Demonstration & Interviews – Coordination of national fan club stands at Jaarbeurs Utrecht. On-site interviews were given to music media and radio stations regarding the intense media pressure on the pop star.
  • 2003 – Present – [Continuous Media Network] Lifetime Career Overview – Ongoing, unbroken media collaborations over the past decades across major networks, including frequent appearances on Ruud de Wild's sharp afternoon shows, local Haarlem coverage via Radio 105, various regional broadcasting networks (AT5 / Omroep West / RTV Oost / RTV Utrecht), and individual analytical support for university journalism students.