Lady Gaga Walks Away From Target Deal
Bob Witeck of Witeck-Combs Communications (who frequently give us news alerts) told Metro Weekly, "Despite the expectation that this was all unfolding as a deal, it has been in a sensitive stage of continued discussion for probably the last three weeks."
He added, "Quite a few people, even early on, were afraid it was going to dissolve."
In February, talking to Billboard about the deal, Gaga had said, "our relationship is hinged upon their reform in the company to support the gay community and to redeem the mistakes they've made supporting those groups." Target had faced criticism in 2010 for donations the company made to groups supporting candidates who oppose LGBT equality.
Of today's announcement, Witeck said, "They wanted to make it public now. They decided it was important that people know there is no deal."
Fans questioned Lady Gaga, an ardent gay rights supporter, after she allegdely signed off on the Target partnership.
"That discussion was one of the most intense conversations I've ever had in a business meeting," Lady Gaga told Billboard in February.
"Part of my deal with Target is that they have to start affiliating themselves with LGBT charity groups and begin to reform and make amends for the mistakes they've made in the past … our relationship is hinged upon their reform in the company to support the gay community and to redeem the mistakes they've made supporting those [anti-gay]groups."
It's not clear what happened since those negotiations. Sources told E! Online that Target refused to promise that it would never donate to political groups or politicians believed to be anti-gay.
The boycott continues!
Comments