Apple’s released a new red iPod today in order to help fight against AIDS in Africa. A portion of the profits from these products goes directly to the Global Fund to fund programs for women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. Maybe today is the day to go and buy an iPod, because it won’t just be a casual purchase and will help those in need. Apple is not the only company helping in this fight. The GAP is also joining in this fight against AIDS and has launched a high profile ad campaign shot by photographer, Annie Leibovitz. Motorola has launched a Red RAZR which will be sold exclusively through Sprint and US Cellular in the US. (Thanks Eric!)
i hate to be “bah humbug” here, but gee, apple is donating a whopping $10 out of $199 price of red ipods to combat aids. what percent of even their net profit margin is that? the company is literally minting money these days — come on, apple, if you want us to be committed, be committed yourself. make a substantive gift to the cause regardless of whether or not we buy red ipods, and then donate a healthy slug of the profits from the sales to the cause, not a token amount.
the amount of money actually contributed to good causes by celebrity and corporate spokespeople and backers is disgustingly miniscule. the celebs and corporations get the appearance of being philanthropic, without having to actually sacrifice anything, all the while exhorting us to sacrifice.
yuck.
I agree. This is a little pathetic. Apple’s making 20% margins or $40 bucks on these units. If you don’t give the $40 I’d hardly call it philanthropy. If you want to give, then give directly at theglobalfund.org. Make all your dollars count.
How about giving them some credit for doing anything at all?
They had the choice of giving 0% or any amount between that that they are giving. Maybe it is tiny, but it is something…
If they don’t already they should just dump a pile of money that direction every year. Cause driven marketing is supposed to be big, but I wouldn’t be surprised if target markets look at it with cynicism.
Global Fund gets more out of it than $10/pop. They also get awareness, the number one mission of NPOs. Seeing a red iPod may invite people to ask why it’s red. Or they may see the red iPod and think of the Global Fund.
It’s snazzy too. I think I’m finally going to get an iPod.
-fink
That sucks. ’nuff said.
For all the critics above, I initially thought the same but then who else out there is doing anything else? It’s all relative isn’t it? The credit card companies are so busy trying to acquire customers that they give them x% back. Why isn’t there a credit card that gives x% to some charity of the card user’s choice? Let’s see how many individuals would sign up. Every little bit helps. Hats off to Steve Jobs, Oprah, and Bono for promoting this. Jobs could’v e issued a red ipod without giving anything.
Well, we do have a credit card (at least in India). A credit card company, sbicard.com, contributes a percentage of what I spend through my card to WWF, Cancer Patient Aid and few more organisation. Its Called SBI Social Card and its for those who opt for it, I have one already.
Isn’t that noble!
Actually, the problem is you. You the public. You who need to be poked and prodded awake to donate to a cause. If you think about it, you would see that Apple is making an effort to draw attention to a cause. The dollar amount is symbolic and helps people feel good about buying something they don’t need, but want.
If your logic is that Apple should give away it’s whole profit margin, shouldn’t the buyer just donate the whole $200 to the cause? Or shouldn’t Apple, and all corperations, donate all of their profits to help make the world a better place. It’s a lovely idea, but an unreal one that does not account for human beings apparently greedy nature.
Also, if you are looking for a company that donates percentages to socially responsible causes, you might want to check out “Working Assets”