Before Martin Bandier agreed last year to sign on as chief executive of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, there was just one concern weighing on his mind: Michael Jackson.

As half-owner of Sony/ATV, Mr Jackson (pictured below) holds broad sway over a catalogue that boasts roughly half a million songs, including more than 200 Beatles classics. But while the King of Pop has proved an astute collector of music, his legal troubles and reclusive lifestyle had sometimes paralysed management at Sony/ATV.