(Product) RED

Have you heard about this initiative yet?

Bono, yes, of U2, has started this project called (Product) RED, which is a mechanism for some of your commerical dollars to be contributed to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

So far, the (Product) RED line includes:
1. An American Express RED card that donates 1% of your annual purchase balance to the Global Fund
2. A vintage-style RED T-shirt produced in Africa by GAP with 'proceeds' going to the Global Fund
3. Emporio Armani RED Wraparound Sunglasses worn by Bono -- no mention of 'proceeds'
4. And get this, Chuck Taylor All Star mudcloth shoes:



So, while the website does not explicitly indicate that Armani and Converse will be contributing proceeds to the Global Fund, one can assume that by buying GAP with your AmEx card, you are doing good in the world.

I already have an AmEx card, and I would be inclined to replace it with a RED card, and even stop by the GAP and buy a new RED t-shirt with it. Though on principle I do not support Corporate Evils like the GAP, in reality, well, it happens. So I might as well appease my troubled soul by knowing that a percentage goes to the Global Fund, right?

But these items are available starting in March IN THE UK ONLY. GAP/US will be releasing an expanded RED line of clothing in the fall (no mention on their site now), and it seems that some of the Converse 'mud cloth' Chucks will be available online (again, no mention currently; same with Armani, but their site is very difficult to navigate so it's possible that I missed it, although this should be a sign).

So far, AmEx RED is requiring that you have a UK bank account and address to sign up, though.

The campaign site is very attractive with its little intro and catchy logo of flashing words encompassing RED in them: admiRED, inspiRED, desiRED, incREDible, requiRED, you get the point.

And I certainly understand that because Bono's frame of reference is Ireland and the UK that he worked to garner support from those companies first.

However, it's not a successful global campaign to support the Global Fund if we can't participate. Think about it. The UK has 60 million people, only 20% of the US's 300 million. If (arbitrarily) 1 million UK residents signed up for the AmEx RED card and spent on average $500 a month, or $6,000 a year, then $60 from each person would go to the Global Fund, for a total of $60 million. That means that the US could raise $300 million for the Global Fund if the same proportion of people signed up (5 million people).

I would give up some of my miles/points to contribute to a goal like that, wouldn't you?

If anyone has any recommendations as to how to find out more information about WHY the American part of American Express is not on board, or how to change that, please leave me a comment.

In the mean time, if you would like to donate 100% of whatever you feel that you can afford directly to the Global Fund, rather than taking the backdoor commercial non-user-friendly route, here is the link. Donations are accepted in multiple currencies and can be made by credit card or check/money order.