AppleInsider Staff
A number of Apple Stores across the world have changed their usual white logo to red in recognition of World AiDS Day, while added to the company's homepage takes users to the official PRODUCT (RED) website, of which Apple is a partner.
With Saturday being World AIDS Day, the switch in Apple's logo color is a symbolic reference to the PRODUCT(RED) initiative, which hopes to end the propagation of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Various partner companies are involved in the project, each donating a portion of (RED) branded merchandise to the cause, with Apple being a longtime supporter.
In addition to the logo change and prominent display of PRODUCT(RED) iPods and accessories at its retail outlets, Apple added a JoinRed.com "card" link to its homepage, directing users to the (RED) website where they can make PRODUCT(RED) purchases, including the Dance (RED) Save Lives compilation album presented by Tiësto and sold through iTunes. The record is associated with special World AIDS Day performances at the Stereosonic Music Festival in Melbourne, Australia from artists including AVICII, Calvin Harris and Tiësto, which will be live-streamed on YouTube.
According to Apple, the (RED) campaign has generated over $190 million since its inception in 2006, with more than $50 million coming from Apple products alone.
From Apple's PRODUCT(RED) informational page:
The Global Fund
The numbers don’t lie: Every day more than 900 babies are born with HIV. By 2015 that number can be nearly zero. (RED) works with companies like Apple to fight for an AIDS-free generation by 2015 by creating (PRODUCT) RED merchandise. A percentage of gross profits from the sale of those products goes to the Global Fund to help fund AIDS programs in Africa. Since its introduction, (PRODUCT) RED has generated more than $190 million — more than $50 million from Apple alone — for the Global Fund. Now you can make an impact, too, by purchasing a (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPad Smart Cover, iPad Smart Case, or iPhone Bumper.
Apple's iTunes and Starbucks recently collaborated on an eGift basket that included a $15 digital coupon for both stores, with 5 percent of the purchase price going to the Global Fund AIDS research foundation.
Andrew Orr
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
15 Comments
AIDS-free by 2015? They're really that close to a cure? If that's anywhere near true, it's impressive. Sort of doubt it, myself.
Anyway, that's awfully AppleOutsidery; back to the "Steve Jobs would have shot anyone asking for charitable donations on sight".
If the number of new AIDS babies gets down to zero by 2015, it will be more to do with the unprecedented economic growth happening in Africa these last few years, than with this charity. I'm sure they'll take the credit though.
If the number of new AIDS babies gets down to zero by 2015, it will be more to do with the unprecedented economic growth happening in Africa these last few years…
How does this prevent AIDS?
[quote name="ascii" url="/t/154728/apple-recognizes-world-aids-day-at-apple-stores-worldwide#post_2240113"]If the number of new AIDS babies gets down to zero by 2015, it will be more to do with the unprecedented economic growth happening in Africa these last few years, than with this charity. I'm sure they'll take the credit though. [/quote] I'm not sure how much (RED) would have helped overall but I'm not understanding how unprecedented economic growth would be the reason for stopping AIDS. I can see better education and better infrastructure for disease control would be the largest factors.
How does this prevent AIDS?
What do poor young women do for money when there's no economy?
Yep and the education and infrastructure are paid for by taxes which grow with a growing economy.