Goldy to Victoria's Secret: Take off

By RODRIGO ZAMITH, Star Tribune

Last update: June 25, 2008 - 8:28 PM

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Don't expect to see Goldy Gopher on Victoria's Secret merchandise anytime soon.

University of Minnesota officials have notified its licensing agency that they do not want their mascot associated with Victoria's Secret PINK Collegiate Collection.

"We are not making a judgment in regards to Victoria's Secret," said University spokesman Dan Wolter. "We just don't feel it is in our institution's best interest right now."

Wolter said there was not enough discussion about how the company's image could affect the University's reputation and that upon review, "it was simply determined we should opt out of it."

The university was listed as one of 33 schools part of the company's apparel line in a news release sent out last week by Victoria's Secret.

Victoria's Secret Website was still advertising a hooded sweatshirt, T-shirt, sweatpants and tote bag, all sporting the U of M logo, as of Wednesday afternoon.

According to Wolter, the University has used the Collegiate Licensing Company as its middle man for the past two years and did not deal directly with Victoria's Secret.

"It's not about the products Victoria's Secret is selling," Wolter said.

Wolter said the University did not receive overwhelming negative feedback, but a "few key people" took issue with the agreement.

"Licensing offers a whole array of opportunities and we reject a significant number of them," Wolter said. "This just got caught up in the traffic and wasn't red-flagged."

Rodrigo Zamith • 612-673-4895

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