Apple Raised $70 Million for Charity Through (PRODUCT) RED

[RaduTyrsina]

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Apple has recently announced through its official Twitter account that the company has contributed $70 million to the charity (Product) RED organization to help in their fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, in Apple’s case (Product) RED refers to donating part of the money spent by consumers on certain Apple products with a red exterior. The concept was founded in 2006 by U2 vocalist Bono and Bobby Shriver. Other companies participating include Nike, American Express, Starbucks, Converse, Head, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics, Gap, Armani, Hallmark and others.

Apple currently sells red versions of the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPad Smart Cover, and iPhone cases under the (PRODUCT)RED branding. Its contributions through its RED product sales go directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Apple has contributed to the cause in other ways as well, including changing its iconic white Apple logos at Apple Stores red for World AIDS Day and a Jony Ive curated auction in partnership with (Product)RED.

The $70 million amount is up $5 million from the number the organization said it received from Apple as of July 2013. Thus, Apple has become the biggest contributor from all the participating companies. Apple has been contributing to (RED) since the organization was first established in 2006, with a special edition (RED) iPod Shuffle being the first product to be sold like this. Besides iPods, iPhones and iPads, Apple has also included iPhone Bumpers, iPad Smart Covers, iPod Nanos and iPhone 5s cases.

But Apple did some extra things to boost donations to charity – in 2013, lead Apple designer Jony Ive teamed up with designer Marc Newson to create some uniquely designed products. These included a red Mac Pro desktop, which later on sold for $977,000 and solid Rose Gold EarPods, which sold for $461,000. Overall, the auction earned nearly $13 million. Have you ever bought a (PRODUCT) RED device from Apple?

Source: iPhoneForums