THERE'S one rule of thumb in the world of concert promotion - the bigger the act, the higher the risk, the smaller the profit margin.
These words of wisdom come from Anders Nelsson who has been involved in the industry for almost 30 years since, at the age of 12, he started organising Friday night dances at King George V school.
And they certainly ring true for the men and women who have little more than a few grey hairs to show for all the wheeling and dealing done in their effort to bring Michael Jackson to Hongkong. The contract, which promoter Allan Zeman says was water-tight, was pulled from beneath them at the last minute.
The big names are where the headaches are, but they also earn promoters a name and prestige. Securing a star ''opens a lot of doors'', according to Anders Nelsson, who brought Elton John to Hongkong this year.
And the fallout? It can ruin a career, but in the case of Michael Jackson and the three promoters, Artist World, Arena Group and Yiu Wing Entertainment, they should escape unscathed. It's more likely the reputation of Jackson that will suffer yet another dent - ''They don't call him Wacko Jacko for nothing,'' Nelsson commented.
One negative effect could be that the public becomes a little hesitant in diving in to snap up the best seats when a tour is announced. Promoter Michael Hosking commented that there will be some people who will never forget rescheduling their summer holidays to see Michael Jackson and that he didn't come.
''Maybe it will make the promoters a little sharper and they will now want the artists to put their signatures on contracts and not just the promoters,'' said Hosking.