Ypulse Essentials: Gaga And Target Split, Advertisers Shy Away From Risky (If Successful) Shows, Bonnaroo Will Be Streamed

Lady Gaga sticks to her guns (by dissolving her exclusive relationship with Target. The retailer was set to release an exclusive deluxe edition of the singer’s “Born This Way” album, but the agreement was dissolved because Target did not uphold its end of the bargain to support LGBT organizations — it has, in the past, supported anti-gay organizations. How much will Target regret its decision come May 23 when the album drops? We suspect millions of dollars worth) (Variety, reg required) (New York Magazine)

- Comedy Central’s ‘Tosh.0’ (is more popular with the sought after 18-34 male demo than NBC’s most-watched comedy show, but it can’t charge advertisers the same premiums because of the its risky potty humor. Another Viacom show continues its struggle to win advertisors: “Skins” has had success with movie and videogame advertisers, which are less concerned about their public image than are consumer product companies. The “Skins” season finale airs on March 21, and the show has yet to be renewed for a second season) (Social Times) (New York Times, reg required)

- Most young Brits (watch TV with their mobile phone in hand, with the vast majority commenting on shows via social nets — a habit we suspect young people in other developed countries have also acquired) (BizReport)

- In a win-win for college students and brands (companies are providing tech savvy twenty-somethings with technology in exchange for help with their marketing plans. The students offer a from-the-trenches that is well worth the cost of supplying smartphones and software to students, according to brands such as Sprint and Levis. The students — often marketing majors — get a behind the scenes view of marketing campaigns and consumer research) (Wall Street Journal, reg required)

- Can’t make it to Bonnaroo (to see your fave band? No worries! Vevo will be streaming select performances live and on demand, thanks to advertisers like Ford. Something tells us this will be more successful than the behind-the-scenes stream from the Oscars) (Mashable)

- Tokyo Girls Collection (fashion show doesn’t look much like the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan. You won’t find supermodels or celebs, and that’s fine with the young gals in attendance. What celebs wear doesn’t work for them. The show offers some impressive innovations, with fashions available for order instantly at the show, rather than months later) (PSFK) (Label Networks)

- The latest TV network (to challenge Disney is…Al Jazeera!? The Arabic network has plans to launch an English-language channel in the U.S. by 2012) (Fast Company)