Read more: Jennifer Hudson says "I do" to Target when Lady Gaga wouldn't

by Ed Stych

Pop star Lady Gaga may not want to form an exclusive arrangement with Target Corp., but other music stars aren't following her lead.

Target announced Monday that Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson had signed an exclusive deal with the Minneapolis-based retailer for a deluxe edition of her new album, "I Remember Me."

The deluxe edition, which includes four additional songs and bonus video material, will only be available at Target starting Tuesday, the company said in a news release.

It was widely reported earlier this month that Lady Gaga had ended her deal with Target for exclusively selling a deluxe version of her new album, "Born This Way." Lady Gaga said Target wasn't doing enough to help gay and lesbian causes.

Target was still offering customers the opportunity to pre-order the deluxe version on its website on Monday. But so were other retailers, such as Amazon.com. The album will be available May 23.

Artists-in-Residence Open Studios Simone Leigh, Kamau Amu Patton, Paul Mpagi Sepuya

Apr 10, 2011 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

• You are invited to visit the studios of 2010-11 Studio Museum artists in residence Simone Leigh, Kamau Amu Patton, and Paul Mpagi Sepuya as they prepare for their upcoming summer
  exhibition! This is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and get an advance look at their newest work. Conceived at the formation of the Museum nearly 40 years ago, the Artists-in-Residence Program remains central to the Museum’s mission.
  
  
  
  
  

The Artists-in-Residence Open Studios event is free and open to all.

Visit the event page at studiomuseum.org for more information and to RSVP

Lady Gaga: Tell Target Child Labor Isn't Golden

By Tim Newman

Last month, pop superstar Lady Gaga partnered with Target to offer fans a special edition of her forthcoming album Born This Way. Gaga hoped that the partnership would also offer her the opportunity to work with Target to improve the company's policies toward gay rights, but apparently her hopes did not come to fruition as she has recently decided to sever ties with the company. Before Gaga completely frees herself of this bad romance, she should speak out against forced and child labor by joining almost 22,000 Change.org readers in calling on Target to agree to responsible sourcing policies for its gold.

When Target made large contributions last year to virulently anti-gay politicians in Minnesota, LGBT advocates, includingmany Change.org readers, put pressure on Target to end this support. Despite tepid apologies, Target reportedly has continued to finance anti-gay candidates. A supporter of equal rights, Gaga had stated, "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 [antigay] groups." If Gaga is not able to push Target to do more to support gay rights be sitting at the table with the company, she is right to end the partnership. Before she slams the door, there's one more thing she can do to change Target's policies for the better.

As we have written about on the Human Trafficking blog, Target is lagging behind other major retailers and jewelry companies in committing to responsibly sourcing the gold in its products. In many countries, gold mining is tainted by the use of child labor and forced labor, not to mention other human rights and environmental abuses. Over 70 major companies have endorsed the No Dirty Gold campaign's Golden Rules that include protecting internationally recognized labor rights and ensuring safe working conditions in addition to making environmental improvements and respecting human and land rights.

Target has indicated that it is considering endorsing the Golden Rules for its gold sourcing, but until those internal discussions result in concrete improvements for the workers around the world whose rights are being abused to mine gold, advocates will continue to pressure Target to responsibly source its gold. As one of the biggest voices in pop culture, an artist with several certified gold records and someone who has Target's ear, Lady Gaga's support for the campaign to clean up Target's gold would go a long way pushing the company to improve its policies. So, Mother Monster, as parting words to Target, why not mobilize your "Punk Art Pop Revolution" to support workers in the gold industry globally?

In the mean time, you can send an e-mail to Target and recruit your friends to join here. Keep checking Change.org for updates and new ways to take action to support this campaign in the coming days!

Justin Timberlake's Fashion Collection Hits Target

William Rast at Target: "Never Look Back"

William Rast, the men's and women's fashion collection by Justin Timberlake, has arrived at Target stores in the U.S. along with a new campaign. The biker bohemian line is a collaboration with designer Trace Ayala.

Target Openings in HARLEM on July 25th

Mark your calendars: Target is opening a store in Harlem and the company's advertising is anything but subtle. Aside from print and outdoor ads, the company is overtaking the front pages of the New York Daily News and New York Post, and wrapping double-decker tour buses and subways. The number 6 train will be branded inside with Target ads and outside with a red and white wrap. Outside subway wraps rarely occur, so I can only imagine how much money the MTA will receive. Enough to close in on its deficit? See the bus and subway wraps, paying close attention to a certain subway rider who loves riding the Target trains! Mother New York created the campaign.