Apple's World AIDS Day campaign brings exclusive app content for charity, retail sales donations
Apple on Sunday announced its 2014 World AIDS Day campaign that will see the company donate a portion of its holiday retail sales, as well as proceeds from a special section of the App Store called "Apps for (RED)," to the (RED) foundation's Global Fund to fight AIDS.
It appears today's (GarageBand)RED update was the first of many, as Apple later unveiled Apps for (RED), a collaboration with top developers to offer exclusive in-app purchases in recognition of World AIDS Day.
Every time a for-pay Apps for (RED) title is purchased -- or when an in-app purchase is conducted through participating apps -- from Monday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 7, all proceeds will go to (RED)'s fund.
The campaign is scheduled to coincide with World AIDS Day, which falls on Monday, Dec. 1.
"Apple is a proud supporter of (RED) because we believe the gift of life is the most important gift anyone can give," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "For eight years, our customers have been helping fight AIDS in Africa by funding life-saving treatments which are having a profoundly positive impact. This year we are launching our biggest fundraising push yet with the participation of Apple's retail and online stores, and some of the brightest minds in the App Store are lending their talents to the effort as well."
In addition to apps, Apple plans to donate to the Global Fund to fight AIDS a portion of retail and online store sales generated over the two biggest shopping days of the year. For Black Friday, coming up on Nov. 28, Apple is handing out special (PRODUCT)RED iTunes Gift Cards with select purchases made in the U.S. Each card represents an additional donation to the fund. The following Monday, coined Cyber Monday for sales offered by e-commerce websites, Apple will donate a portion of all brick-and-mortar and online Apple Store sales to (RED).
"Apple isn't just in the fight to end AIDS. They are setting a new bar for business, giving $75 million and counting to the Global Fund as part of their partnership with (RED)," said (RED) cofounder Bono. "I couldn't be prouder to work with them."
Full list of apps participating in Apple's Apps for (RED) campaign, all of which feature red icons to commemorate the event:
It appears today's (GarageBand)RED update was the first of many, as Apple later unveiled Apps for (RED), a collaboration with top developers to offer exclusive in-app purchases in recognition of World AIDS Day.
Every time a for-pay Apps for (RED) title is purchased -- or when an in-app purchase is conducted through participating apps -- from Monday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 7, all proceeds will go to (RED)'s fund.
The campaign is scheduled to coincide with World AIDS Day, which falls on Monday, Dec. 1.
"Apple is a proud supporter of (RED) because we believe the gift of life is the most important gift anyone can give," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "For eight years, our customers have been helping fight AIDS in Africa by funding life-saving treatments which are having a profoundly positive impact. This year we are launching our biggest fundraising push yet with the participation of Apple's retail and online stores, and some of the brightest minds in the App Store are lending their talents to the effort as well."
In addition to apps, Apple plans to donate to the Global Fund to fight AIDS a portion of retail and online store sales generated over the two biggest shopping days of the year. For Black Friday, coming up on Nov. 28, Apple is handing out special (PRODUCT)RED iTunes Gift Cards with select purchases made in the U.S. Each card represents an additional donation to the fund. The following Monday, coined Cyber Monday for sales offered by e-commerce websites, Apple will donate a portion of all brick-and-mortar and online Apple Store sales to (RED).
"Apple isn't just in the fight to end AIDS. They are setting a new bar for business, giving $75 million and counting to the Global Fund as part of their partnership with (RED)," said (RED) cofounder Bono. "I couldn't be prouder to work with them."
Full list of apps participating in Apple's Apps for (RED) campaign, all of which feature red icons to commemorate the event:
- Angry Birds players can perfect their bird-flinging with (RED)'s Mighty Feathers and challenge themselves to a bonus golden egg level.
- Bubble Witch 2 Saga offers new (PRODUCT)RED levels across all 17 episodes of the game. Gold bar currency purchases will be donated to (RED).
- CSR Racing delivers new in-game thrills with the highly anticipated Mercedes Benz-AMG GT.
- Clash of Clans warriors can prepare for battle with special edition (PRODUCT)RED gems and display a (RED) badge of honor on the village's town hall.
- Clear's users can perfect their organizational skills with a new (PRODUCT)RED theme which appears automatically with all new downloads.
- Cut the Rope 2 unveils a wide selection of (PRODUCT)RED items including a new red hat, red touch print, red balloons and a red ginger cookie.
- Despicable Me: Minion Rush reveals a new Lifeguard minion that helps players boost their banana collection skills by 200 percent.
- DJay 2's spin tables turn (RED) and offer DJs a special sound pack.
- FarmVille 2: Country Escape players can "Roll out the RED Carpet" and purchase limited-time items such as the Cozy Cow, St. Bernard and more.
- FIFA 15 Ultimate Team players can compete in a (RED) Tournament and Team of the Week event. All winners will be awarded football superstar and (RED) Ambassador Rafa Marquez.
- Frozen Free Fall unveils a magical new (RED) Challenge in the Kingdom of Arendelle, and offers an exclusive combined offer of 1 power-up, 1 snowball and 3 lives.
- GarageBand users can now purchase an exclusive collection of 300 guitar, bass, synth and drum loops to create even more amazing music.
- Kim Kardashian: Hollywood's aspiring celebrity players can treat themselves to (PRODUCT)RED items including (BEATS)RED Solo2 headphones. Kris Jenner, the first family member to join Kim's in-app world, will make her in-game debut on December 1.
- Heads Up! competition heats up with an exclusive new deck featuring (RED) words.
- The Human Body debuts the Immune System feature, educating users on how the body fights pathogens. The accompanying handbook features a new section on HIV/AIDS.
- Kitchen Stories Cookbook will offer a special-edition holiday recipe pack, featuring dishes from renowned chefs Mario Batali, Martha Stewart, Luke Holden and Michael Lomonaco.
- Monument Valley offers a whole new chapter of Ida's Journey, marking the final new feature of the game.
- Over customers have access to a wide selection of (PRODUCT)RED fonts and inspiring artwork, specially created by six artists. Users can share photos with the (RED) brackets overlay to help spread awareness.
- Paper by FiftyThree enthusiasts can enjoy a new (PRODUCT)RED Essentials Pack including Sketch, Outline, Write, Color and Mixer tools.
- Puzzle & Dragons players have exclusive access to the new (PRODUCT)RED magic stone.
- Rayman Fiesta Run introduces a new (RED) edition to their wacky Fiesta world, and players can purchase a pack of three new costumes for Rayman, Globox and Teensy characters.
- Star Walk 2 users can learn more about Mars with the comprehensive new RED Planet feature.
- Sims FreePlay features a special community challenge that unlocks various rewards, and players can purchase limited-edition (PRODUCT)RED items such as a swimming pool, party plane and pi?ata.
- Threes! turns (RED) with a limited-edition (PRODUCT)RED theme.
- Toca Boca paints Toca Town (RED)! Kids can discover new (RED) diamonds, sample (RED) ice cream in the app and look for other surprises throughout the game.
Comments
Interesting.
Previously, I stated that getting third party content creators to opt-in to (RED) donations would be difficult. It appears that Apple has made it happen.
Impressive.
Curious to see how the Google Play store will handle charitable activities this holiday season.
2) Stopping AIDS is great but I would like to see more effort go into stopping female circumcision and other atrocities in Africa and elsewhere.
Not a problem. For every customer that downloads and installs a Google Play app, Google will donate 100% of your user data to their partners. Merry Christmas.
1) So they are giving a flat rate of $75 million regardless of what people buy on those days or was that quote from a different time and Apple will be giving a fix percentage of each sale? If the latter, what's the percentage? If the former, then what is the drive for customers, or is it just to guilt other companies into doing it?
It sounds like the former. Apple gives $75 million themselves, regardless of what the Apps for (RED) sales revenue is.
From a tax standpoint, it might make more sense to waive revenue (their customary 30% cut from app sales) as their taxable income would be less.
Customers don't really get anything extra from the actual app purchase, just a warm fuzzy feeling that they are doing something good. Getting something extra isn't a requirement for charity. Let's say some charity offers a $10 gift for a $100 donation. You could donate $90 and not take the gift. Or you could donate a thousand dollars and tell them to keep their gifts.
Bono's talking donations to date. Apple reached $70M in April, so that makes $5M over the past six months or so.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/04/04/apples-red-contributions-in-fight-against-aids-reach-70-million
Ah, I think I got it:
After Tim Cook's recent revelation I understand why Apple focuses so much on AIDS:)
Not to sound insensitive but how about we fight AIDS here and let Africa take care of its own problems?
You are insensitive beyond belief.
You want to withhold charity based on nationality? No concept of the global village?
Really?
What happens in another country, no matter how close the virtual border is to you, has no effect on your country¡
I see that Red is now a part of One, and while having an open mind, I looked at some of the info on their site, and I just don't agree with some of their overall goals.
They even mentioned something about climate change and how that was some sort of huge danger. Hopefully Apple won't be releasing any climate change colored products anytime soon. What a joke that would be. AIDS, poverty and climate change, what a perfect trio, a liberal wet dream. They're also lobbying for the complete elimination of billions of dollars of debt by poor countries. I say let the chips fall where they may. Bailouts are a bad idea, be they national or international.
Some countries are poor for a reason. Many of them are run by criminals and corruption is rampant. Throwing money at the problem is not going to solve anything longterm, as long as the core remains rotten. I believe that certain countries that are not functioning societies should be colonized or simply taken over and the leaders and authorities replaced with competent people.
1) Way to turn this thread political with your hate speech. :rolleyes:
2) I like you don't even acknowledge that rich countries can also be run by corrupt politicians committing crimes, but that the rich countries prey on the poorer and more vulnerable ones. Oh yeah, so long as it's not your country you're perfectly fine with the rest of the world burning. :no:
1) Way to turn this thread political with your hate speech.
2) I like you don't even acknowledge that rich countries can also be run by corrupt politicians committing crimes, but that the rich countries prey on the poorer and more vulnerable ones. Oh yeah, so long as it's not your country you're perfectly fine with the rest of the world burning.
It sounds like you are an ostrich, burying your head in the sand.
They even acknowledge on the One website that $52 billion was lost by sub-Saharan Africa in illicit financial flows in 2011. I wonder how much that $52 billion would have benefited the people who live there. And that was just for one year. The entire amount of money that has been generated by RED is a joke compared to that figure. It's the poor country's problem to fix and they can begin fixing it by looking at themselves. Treating them like children and ignoring the source of the problem is a mistake.
I look forward to the USA government being colonised and competent people put in charge
I believe that you chaps have attempted that before, but it didn't work out.
Every time.
Three words that makes Apple ][ gets angry, in no particular order: poor people, non-white people, Android users. Any three of those all lead to some combination of liberal.
2) Stopping AIDS is great but I would like to see more effort go into stopping female circumcision and other atrocities in Africa and elsewhere.
Apples and Oranges. AIDS is a disease. The example you gave is human action. How the **** is Apple supposed to help "stop" that? It's like asking them to fundraise to stop "murder". RED goes towards funding research for a cure and management of AIDS, which is not something that affects only a specific region of the world.
1) The spread of AIDS is from human action.
2) My comment didn't state Apple should do anything. Apple doesn't help stop AIDS, they donate money to an organization that handles it.
This is what Google and Facebook are doing for Ebola. Not sure if this involves the Play store.
http://thenextweb.com/google/2014/11/10/google-launches-campaign-fight-ebola-donates-10-million/