A recent tweet by Lady Gaga, which shows an offensive photo of an Oil Country sign with a key letter missing, is triggering debate over how much damage her online comments can do to Edmonton's image.
The post was made hours after the recording artist performed her second sold-out show at Rexall Place on Friday. Beyond a link to the image, Lady Gaga wrote to her 5.8 million online followers, "holy mother of laughter."
Northlands said the photograph was taken while crews were setting up for a show, at a time when one letter from a permanent sign had been removed to put a spotlight in place.
Since Lady Gaga appeared fourth on the 2010 Forbes list of 100 most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world, one local social media consultant argues her twitter comments can have a huge impact on how the rest of the world sees Edmonton.
"I looked at the picture recently and it's just topped 170,000 views and so most marketing firms would look at that and go, 'wow that's a lot of exposure'," said Walter Schwabe who heads Fusedlogic, a local social media engagement firm.
"Lady Gaga has the highest amount of followers on twitter….She's got an audience, and it's an audience you need to respect."
Mayor Stephen Mandel disagrees, saying the joke was in poor taste and reflects more on the artist and her crew than it does on the city.
"Some things are disgusting and you shouldn't have to say they're disgusting," he said.
"I think it demeans them more than anything else."
Officials with Northlands say they cannot comment on the incident because they signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Lady Gaga tour.
Still, one spokesperson says given the economic success of two sold-out shows, they are working to secure another concert with the artist sometime in the winter.
CTV Edmonton has decided not to show the picture in question because some viewers may find doing so both unnecessary and offensive.
