Dec. 1 Marks World AIDS Day; (PRODUCT) RED Hits $50 Million Contribution Milestone

Yesterday, just one day before marking World AIDS Day 2007, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced that contributions from (PRODUCT) RED partners -- including GoodBiz113 ad partners American Express, Apple and Motorola -- have reached over $50 million.

This cumulative total, achieved since (RED) was launched in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver, outstrips, by far, all previous private-sector contributions to the Global Fund, and creates a new benchmark for engaging business in the global fight against AIDS in Africa.

(PRODUCT) RED has become one of the largest consumer-based income-generating initiatives by the private sector for an international humanitarian cause. As the Fund looks to existing and new donors to help raise $6 billion to $8 billion annually to finance programs globally to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, (PRODUCT) RED has become a significant and promising new source of funds.

"(PRODUCT) RED has brought about a major change in the way the private sector contributes to global causes," said Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "We applaud Bono and Bobby Shriver for their vision in establishing the campaign, and thank (RED), its partners and the consumers who've chosen (RED) for their leadership. The contributions of (PRODUCT) RED partners have already enabled hundreds of thousands of people to benefit from AIDS treatment, prevention and care."

(RED) was created to deliver a sustainable flow of private-sector funds to the Global Fund, and to raise public awareness about the AIDS emergency in Africa. (RED) partners are Gap, Hallmark, Apple, Motorola, Emporio Armani, American Express and Converse.

The partner contributions from the sale of (PRODUCT) RED products are sent directly to the Global Fund to invest in HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. No overhead is taken out of the (RED) money, which means there is 100% throughput to the identified Global Fund grants.

(RED) funds are already at work as part of Global Fund grants in Rwanda, Swaziland and Ghana, funding programs with a primary focus on the health of women and children. (RED) funds will continue to be disbursed to these grants as soon as the next scheduled disbursement requests are received and approved by the Global Fund.

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the dominant, multilateral financer of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, providing well over 20 percent of all international finance against AIDS, and two-thirds of global financing for TB and malaria.

So far, programs supported by the Global Fund have averted 2 million deaths through providing AIDS treatment for 1.1 million people, tuberculosis treatment for 2.8 million people, and through the distribution of 30 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria worldwide.

About the Global Fund
The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector, and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing.

The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.

About (RED)™ and (PRODUCT) RED
(RED)'s primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund, to help fight AIDS in Africa. Companies whose products take on the (PRODUCT) RED mark contribute a significant percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa, with an emphasis on the health of women and children.

Current partners are: American Express [U.K. only], Apple, Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Motorola and Hallmark. MySpace.com is the first media sponsor in the United Kingdom, and MTV Networks is the first media sponsor in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.joinred.com/.

Also, for World AIDS Day, The Killers turned their new Christmas single, "Don't Shoot Me Santa", (RED) -- with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Global Fund, for investment in African AIDS programs. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the single package -- including audio track and video -- arrives in stores. Click here to order from Amazon.com.

SOURCES: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, (PRODUCT) RED
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(PRODUCT) RED: iPod nano and iPod shuffle. Apple Store exclusive. Get free engraving and free shipping.

Bobby Shriver Provides Update on (PRODUCT) RED Campaign to Fund AIDS Programs in Africa

Editor's Note: One year ago, Bobby Shriver and U2 lead singer Bono announced their innovative (PRODUCT) RED initiative at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Since (PRODUCT) RED's official October rollout, more than $11 million has been raised from the sale of products marketed by GoodBiz113 ad partners American Express, Apple and Converse, plus Emporio Armani, Gap and Motorola. Following, is an update from Shriver, (PRODUCT) RED's CEO...

Last year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, we launched (PRODUCT) RED, an idea that had been taking shape for a couple of years. The premise was simple: create a brand that would put global marketing genius to work for people dying of AIDS in Africa.

We knew consumers were the key. The (RED) products had to excite and inspire them. First step was to gin up the corporate sector — to make them see (RED) the way we saw it.

Our goal all along was to “get the check” for Africa -- not just once, but over and over. The Global Fund’s goal is to receive 10% of its funding from the private sector, but it had raised less than 1% in its first five years. The road map to turn this tide was what we spoke about on January 26th, 2006, when we came to Davos with Dr. Richard Feachem, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, and four blue-chip global brands.

It’s been a hell of a year.

We started to build (RED) in the U.K., where the first-year objective was to launch and develop a brand that would engage and tap the creativity of iconic global companies. The results have been compelling, from the initial founding partner — American Express -- to the launch partners — Emporio Armani, Gap and Converse -- to the subsequent year one partners — Motorola and Apple. With six renowned brands demonstrating key differentiating positions, targets and products, (RED) ends year one in a strong position.

From March to September 2006, we concentrated on communicating the concept of (RED) and publicizing a relatively limited product offering.

In October, (RED) introduced its first full product offering from partners to coincide with its launch in the U.S. market. We are now heavily focused on delivering for the (RED) customer and the (RED) community. Now, the fun really begins. And the funds are flowing!

(RED) has delivered a total of $11,303,926 to the Global Fund thus far. Based on early conservative estimates, we believe that when holiday sales have been totaled, (RED) will have generated another $10 million for the Fund*. Two countries in Africa are the initial beneficiaries.

In Rwanda, (RED) money is supporting Global Fund-financed programs, which have already:
· Reached over 168,000 mothers with counseling and services to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV
· Trained over 1,000 healthcare providers in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
· Reached over 325,000 people with voluntary counseling and testing for prevention of HIV
· Trained almost 3,000 counselors to teach prevention of HIV
· Provided antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS to almost 16,000 people, including almost 3,600 infants and children
· Set up 41 health centers to deliver antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS

In the next two to three years, these programs aim to more than double the number of women reached with prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and to expand the reach of antiretroviral therapy from half the population to the entire country.

In Swaziland, (RED) money is supporting Global Fund-financed programs, which have already:
· Reached over 4,400 mothers with services to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV
· Trained over 150 midwives and doctors in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
· Equipped over 40 hospitals to provide services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV
· Reached over 140,000 people with voluntary counseling and testing for prevention of HIV
· Trained over 70 counselors to teach prevention of HIV
· Set up over 35 counseling and testing centers for prevention of HIV
· Established feeding schemes in 335 schools
· Built 154 community feeding centers
· Provided education support for over 36,000 vulnerable children
· Provided antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS to almost 15,000 patients
· Trained over 3,000 health workers to deliver home-based care for patients with HIV/AIDS

In the next two to three years, these programs aim to increase fourfold the number of women receiving treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV; to offer comprehensive support for orphans; and to more than double the number of people currently on antiretroviral therapy.

What have we learned in this first year? Some details:
(RED) has had incredible media and consumer response in the U.K. and U.S.

The media reaction (RED) has enjoyed in year one in the U.K. has been phenomenal with in excess of £16 million worth of positive editorial media coverage -- including high-profile newspaper partnerships with The Independent and on-air partnerships with Sky.

Consumer awareness is high, particularly amongst urbanites and those predisposed to ethical shopping practices, and the response to engagement is very positive. We have found that the "sweet spot" for the target is 18-35 female/male split; the target varies depending on the product offering.

In the U.S., a PR launch on Oprah, Larry King, CNN and across the networks -- along with massive advertising campaigns from Gap and Motorola -- have driven awareness of the brand to 20% of the U.S. population. The aspiration to bring the issue of AIDS in Africa to the malls and main streets of America has been met.

For the future, we will be increasing our (RED) product partners in specific categories to provide consumers with compelling options across everyday, as well as premium, (RED) products in multiple markets around the globe. We will remain a brand that is dynamic — one that evolves to keep empowering customers who want to make their money work smarter. Most importantly, we will continue to be engaged in the fight against AIDS with the vision that this treatable, preventable disease can be eliminated.

Onward.

Bobby Shriver
CEO, (PRODUCT) RED

* Monies are sent directly from the Partners to the Global Fund. (RED) does not break down the figures by Partner in order to protect each Partner from competitor scrutiny.
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Help support (PRODUCT) RED by buying a Sprint Power Vision Phone RED MOTORAZR V3m by Motorola today! In the U.S., each phone sale yields a $17 contribution made to The Global Fund.

New (RED) Impact Calculator Helps Tie Value of Purchases to AIDS Treatment in Africa

As GoodBiz113 reported last Oct. 15 and Nov. 30, the (PRODUCT) RED campaign to raise funds for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has made significant strides since its Fall 2006 rollout.

Together, (PRODUCT) RED founder and CEO Bobby Shriver, U2 lead singer Bono and their associates have signed top names -- e.g., American Express UK, Apple, Converse, Emporio Armani, Gap, Motorola -- to create (PRODUCT) RED-specific goods, from which a certain percentage of the profits go to the Global Fund.

According to preliminary tracking numbers, total (PRODUCT) RED sales in the U.S. during the first six weeks raised enough money to:
* Provide more than 40,000 men or women with anti-retroviral treatment for a year;
OR
* Provide more than 2 million peer educators with HIV training;
OR
* Provide a year’s worth of school materials and daily hot meals for more than 86,000 children orphaned by AIDS;
OR
* Provide more than 1 million Rapid Tests, which detect HIV and deliver instant test results.

(PRODUCT) RED Impact Calculator Among Latest Innovations
Now, with the latest (PRODUCT) RED innovation -- the new (RED) Impact Calculator -- socially conscious consumers can find out the ways in which their (RED) purchases could affect people's lives in Africa.

For instance, let's say you bought an Apple iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition, two Gap (PRODUCT) RED T-shirts, two Gap (PRODUCT) RED Leather Bracelets, plus a Motorola (PRODUCT) RED MOTORAZR V3m Phone. Total profits would:
* Provide treatment for 200 pregnant women to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child;
AND
* Provide anti-retroviral [ARV] treatment for two months to a person living with HIV.

The number of (PRODUCT) RED goods you've purchased can be input into the calculator and saved in your own (RED) profile, where you can login to update it anytime at: http://www.joinred.com/news/45/track.asp?sel=3.

You can also tell your friends and family about your (RED) Impact via customizable greeting cards that you can print and send. Check out (RED) Impact Cards today.

For more information about (PRODUCT) RED, go to: http://www.joinred.com.
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iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. 4GB and 8GB Models Available for $199 an $249.

Dec. 1 Marks World AIDS Day; (PRODUCT) RED Companies Continue the Global Fight Against AIDS

Twenty-five years have passed since the virus later identified as HIV was discovered, yet the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS has relentlessly increased. In Africa alone, 5,500 lives are lost daily and unnecessarily to the deadly disease.

As GoodBiz113 reported in October ["Apple Announces iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition; Portion of Proceeds Contributed to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa," Oct. 15], several companies comprise the Bono- and Bobby Shriver-led (PRODUCT) RED initiative to raise awareness and funds in the global fight against AIDS: American Express [U.K. only], Apple, Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Motorola, MySpace.com [U.K. only] and MTV Networks. Each partner has developed special (PRODUCT) RED items, and donates a portion of sales or profits from those products to support Global Fund programs.

GoodBiz113 is proud to partner with two (PRODUCT) RED companies: Apple, which donates $10 from each sale of its sleek 4GB and 8GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition models; and Converse, which donates 5% of the net wholesale price of its distinctive, red-eyelet (PRODUCT) RED shoes. [See product sample, above.]

[Cindy, a Converse staffer, recently informed GoodBiz113 that the company's (PRODUCT) RED inventory sold out "quite quickly," and doesn't plan to restock until February 2007. Till then, customers have the "Design Your Own -- MAKE MINE RED" option at Converse.com; i.e., choose from several syles, colors, materials, etc., and include the special (RED) eyelets at the top.]

According to preliminary tracking numbers, total (PRODUCT) RED sales in the U.S. during the first six weeks since launch have raised enough money to:

* Provide more than 40,000 men or women with anti-retroviral treatment for a year;
OR

* Provide more than 2 million peer educators with HIV training;

OR

* Provide a year’s worth of school materials and daily hot meals for more than 86,000 children orphaned by AIDS;

OR

* Provide more than 1 million Rapid Tests, which detect HIV and deliver instant test results.

Looking for current information about AIDS? The Kaiser Family Foundation has a wealth of fact sheets about HIV/AIDS -- on both the global and U.S. fronts.

To keep informed about (PRODUCT) RED developments, click here.

Also, tune into a special one-hour program tomorrow evening [Friday, Dec. 1]. Ashley Judd and Salma Hayek have teamed to create a documentary, "Ashley Judd and YouthAIDS: Confronting the Pandemic," which premieres at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST on TLC.

Apple Announces iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition; Portion of Proceeds Contributed to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa

Editor's note: As promised since our humble beginnings, GoodBiz113 is primarily about showcasing small businesses. On occasion, we're going to shamelessly feature small-biz champions and socially responsible GoodBiz113 Mall merchant partners...

Apple® just announced the iPod® nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. (RED) was created by U2 lead singer Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage business in the fight against AIDS in Africa by getting the world’s most iconic companies to make uniquely branded products. 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.

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED comes in a beautiful red aluminum enclosure and features 24 hours of battery life; Apple’s innovative Click Wheel; and an incredibly thin and light design. Apple will contribute $10 from the sale of each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Apple will also offer a $25 iTunes® (PRODUCT) RED gift card, available for purchase at Apple’s retail and online stores next month.

“We’re ecstatic that Apple is giving their customers the choice to buy a red iPod nano, and help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa,” said Bono, co-founder of (RED). “It's wonderful to see this incredible level of commitment from companies that are willing to lend their creativity in the fight against AIDS in Africa -- the greatest health crisis in 600 years.” Other (PRODUCT) RED partners include American Express, Converse, Emporio Armani, Gap and Motorola.

“Now, customers can buy the best music player in the world and do something to help the world at the same time,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re honored to work with Bono, (RED) and this team to contribute to an incredibly important initiative and help change the way people think about AIDS in Africa.”

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002, with the support of the world’s leaders and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need by supporting locally-driven strategies. To date, the Global Fund has committed $5.2 billion [US] to more than 363 programs in 131 countries. For more information about (RED), please visit http://www.joinred.com/.

Pricing & Availability
The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is available worldwide in a 4GB model for $199 [US] through Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Store® [www.apple.com]. All iPod nano models include redesigned earbud headphones providing superior comfort, fit and sound quality, and a USB 2.0 cable. The second-generation iPod nano features up to 24 hours of battery life and completely skip-free playback. The iTunes (PRODUCT) RED gift card will be available through Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Store [www.apple.com] next month for $25 [US].

iPod nano requires a Mac® with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 7.0 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000 [Service Pack 4], Windows XP Home or Professional [Service Pack 2] and iTunes 7.0 or later. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended.

Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; actual capacity varies by content. Photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
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4GB iPod nano RED Special Edition. Just $199, only at the Apple Store.