Apple's (Product) RED Holiday Campaign Raised $20 Million to Fight AIDS

[PraisiX-windows]

Just thinking about this...if an entire family's net worth is only $100,000, meaning the value of their house, cars, furniture/appliances, and anything in the bank, then I would think $20 would be a lot of money to them!

My total networth is about $6.000 dollars - $20 dollars is nothing.

 

[haydn!]

Again, another distraction from making better iPhones and iPads. Besides, doing good deeds then boasting about them is actually more self serving than anything else.

Here's an idea Apple. Donate to whatever cause you want but shut the hell up and concentrate on innovation and customer satisfaction which has been losing ground as of late.

This was an internal communication, not a public one. A lot of people inside Apple will have worked hard to make the recent RED campaign not only happen, but so successful. That deserves recognition and a pat on the back.

I don't think innovation is flagging it's just not moving in the direction you want it to. Sales figures for all Apple products also suggest customer satisfaction is a non issue right now.

 

[Piggie]

That is one of the reasons why I am Crazy for Apple!!

So why are you not Crazy for Microsoft / Bill Gates ?

"As of May 16, 2013, Bill Gates had donated US$28 billion"

 

[wikiverse]

Your post made me wonder where this money is going. Product Red gives money to the Global Fund, which puts money towards treatment of Aids/Malaria/TB in Africa. That's got to be incredibly expensive to provide costly meds to 1000's of people, and the meds for AIDS don't eradicate the disease, only suppress it. So if you think about it, that money is essentially going to pharmaceutical companies that make the drugs. How much is actually going to research?

Exactly nothing goes to research.

All of the money goes to 8 African countries for "programs that provide antiretroviral therapy for HIV positive individuals, support HIV prevention, feed and educate children orphaned by AIDS and provide the low-cost treatments needed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child. Each country determines the exact needs of their country and how the money will be used."

So yea. You're effectively giving money to pharmaceutical companies.

 

[s2mikey]

Speaking as one of those always-complaining liberals, I'm all for it.

That said, Apple has about $100 billion in net assets. So let's say you're a median US family, with a net worth of around $100,000. So $20 million to Apple would be about $20 for you. The grand total of $100 million would be like $100 for you.

I'm not saying every little bit doesn't count, but rich people and corporations get credit for charity far out of proportion to what any individual would get for giving a similar percentage of their worth.

Absolutely, positively. Anonymous charity is the ONLY true charity. Otherwise, it's just a PR move and a tax write off. Plus, the percentages are also to comical. With all of the tax evasion and funny accounting Apple does, the amount they gave to SIDS is literally pocket change when scaled down to what the average persons income is.

So, this is just simply a "hey, look at us caring about people with AIDS" maneuver during the holidays.

Big effing deal.

 

[unibility]

Why do you right wing fundies feel the need to interject politics into every conversation?

The problem is the left is one sided. When a white cop kills a black unarmed teen, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson interjects for monetary gain and Obama for political gains causing more racial divide. Though when a black cop murders a unarmed girl, the same individuals are in hiding.

 

[Ericvalz]

Well I think it's a good thing what they're doing. But I beleive they could do more. But at least they're helping in some way.

 

[dsburdette]

True. Though in this case, it was taken from Apples profits, they did not have to pull anything out of the bank, they just got a little less coming in. The family is not running a business

Huh? My income is MY profit. So when I give to charity I don't have to pull anything out of the bank? I think you're thinking about this wrong. Apple is still deciding to eschew some profit and give to charity much like I'd eschew some of my paycheck to give to charity.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

This is really upsetting.

Annual deaths from AIDs: 1.5 M
Annual deaths from Kidney Failure: 26 M

Amount of money to cure AIDs: Nobody has a real plan, so until someone actually has one, we can burn money on this forever.
Amount of money to cure Kidney Failure: $3M

Apple could have cured Kidney Failure nearly 7x over, and they chose instead to burn it on AIDs. There are so many more worthwhile things they could do, but because Bono was pals with Jobs they continue to burn money on this.

For the record, The Kidney Project is a year into animal trials and will be starting human trials in 2 years. Should that go well, they'll be mass producing a commercial product in 2020. They've been at this for 25 years now and have so far spent $7M. They say they'll need $3M for the upcoming trials.

 

[iBlazed]

The problem is the left is one sided. When a white cop kills a black unarmed teen, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson interjects for monetary gain and Obama for political gains causing more racial divide. Though when a black cop murders a unarmed girl, the same individuals are in hiding.

Again, you feel the need to stereotype half your country when not everyone feels the same way. Believe me, I have plenty to say about right wing stupidity, one sidedness, and hypocrisy. So do most people here. We just choose not to do it in a completely unrelated thread. Apparently that's difficult for your kool aid drinking self. But leave it to you people to race bait at any given opportunity and complain that liberals do the same, I love that you don't even see how dense you are. The only people causing racial divide are ones like you. Congrats, YOU are the problem with America.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Thank you, Apple, for helping people help others out.

An attitude of gratitude will help you go far in life, and be happier.

 

[AppleFan360]

This is just plain silly.

About the dumbest post I've seen on here.

Only because you don't agree with it.

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Absolutely, positively. Anonymous charity is the ONLY true charity. Otherwise, it's just a PR move and a tax write off. Plus, the percentages are also to comical. With all of the tax evasion and funny accounting Apple does, the amount they gave to SIDS is literally pocket change when scaled down to what the average persons income is.

So, this is just simply a "hey, look at us caring about people with AIDS" maneuver during the holidays.

Big effing deal.

Exactly!!!

 

[steve62388]

I don't buy their PR marketing spin trying to look good. Apple, Bono and all corporations and people should pay the same percentage of tax as normal folk.

If Apple paid their share it would add up to a darn sight more than $100 million.

 

[cocky jeremy]

That's like spare change to Apple. Oh well, thank you for fighting for something positive! Even if it's a little bit

I'm sure your donation was so much more than this that Apple should be embarrassed, huh?

----------

Absolutely, positively. Anonymous charity is the ONLY true charity. Otherwise, it's just a PR move and a tax write off. Plus, the percentages are also to comical. With all of the tax evasion and funny accounting Apple does, the amount they gave to SIDS is literally pocket change when scaled down to what the average persons income is.

So, this is just simply a "hey, look at us caring about people with AIDS" maneuver during the holidays.

Big effing deal.

No it's not. It's a, "Hey, we care about this, so you should help too" sorta thing.

 

[WilliamLondon]

As evidenced by some of the posts in this thread already (and plenty of others elsewhere in other threads), there are people who will complain no matter what Apple does. If they gave a million dollars to everybody who owned an Apple product, there are people who would complain about what currency denominations it was given to them in, or the color of the check it was written on.

Kudos to Apple for donating to what they consider a worthy cause. It's more than a lot of other people and/or companies have done.

Welcome to MacRumors, where complaining (especially Apple products and all things Apple) is seen to make one uber-cool! Sigh.

 

[Rogifan]

I don't buy their PR marketing spin trying to look good. Apple, Bono and all corporations and people should pay the same percentage of tax as normal folk.

If Apple paid their share it would add up to a darn sight more than $100 million.

According to Tim Cook Apple pays over $35B in state and local taxes in the U.S. Thats not enough for some people?

https://gigaom.com/2014/10/27/live-...hairman-jack-ma-at-the-wsj-d-live-conference/

Besides I don't get what this internal email Cook sent to employees has to do with paying taxes.

 

[steve62388]

According to Tim Cook Apple pays over $35B in state and local taxes in the U.S. Thats not enough for some people?

https://gigaom.com/2014/10/27/live-...hairman-jack-ma-at-the-wsj-d-live-conference/

No it's not enough because their effective corporate tax rate is only 14%. You can't tell me that funneling $30 billion dollars through Ireland where their tax was 2% is not a deliberate attempt at tax avoidance.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-23/apple-tax-rate-ignores-profit-shifting-offshore.html

Besides I don't get what this internal email Cook sent to employees has to do with paying taxes.

It's relevant because in the majority of cases charity work by large organisations like this is merely an attempt to generate good publicity. If they really cared they would contribute the same percentage of income into the tax system as ordinary people.

 

[Rogifan]

No it's not enough because their effective corporate tax rate is only 14%. You can't tell me that funneling $30 billion dollars through Ireland where their tax was 2% is not a deliberate attempt at tax avoidance.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-23/apple-tax-rate-ignores-profit-shifting-offshore.html



It's relevant because in the majority of cases charity work by large organisations like this is merely an attempt to generate good publicity. If they really cared they would contribute the same percentage of income into the tax system as ordinary people.

Man it's amazing how many cynical and miserable people there are in the world. The only way they'd be happy is if everyone else is as miserable as they are (and if everyone else pays more tax than they do).

 

[bawbac]

$20 million dollar tax deduction!
Which means the US tax papers are actually paying for this!!!

I love it when corporations donate money to charities only to deduct it from their taxes to put the burden on the US tax payers!

Go Apple !!!

 

[t76turbo]

That is one of the reasons why I am Crazy for Apple!!

Funny, this is one of the reasons I hate apple. Even though I own lots of Apple stock, and lots of apple products including 2 ipads, have owned 8 iphones, 4 ipods, appletv, and will be getting a macbook pro soon. I will never, and I mean NEVER purchase a 'red' product knowingly.


I get that AIDS charities are the politically correct thing to donate to.

But I would much rather it be put towards cancer research. For the following reasons:

-Cancer impacts almost everyone in some way, shape, or form. Whether you yourself have it, get it, know someone who has it or will get it. Aids is very rare in the scheme of things. And mostly happens to people who are participating in a risky lifestyle. Sexual orientation totally out of the conversation. Either it is through unprotected sex, sharing needles, transmission to unborn babies is of course the one 100% exception to that rule.

-People of all ages and risk levels are affected. AIDS you know how to avoid. But many people make bad decisions and still get it. Cancer strikes even people who take all the precautions like sunscreen, avoiding contact with chemicals, etc....

-Making large strides towards a cure for cancer would possibly apply to all forms of cancer, of which there are many. Not just going towards research and primarily to drugs to treat those who have it but cant afford the pills. Regardless of how they got it and if they were reckless or took precautions.



And heck, cancer is even what killed Steve Jobs for goodness sake.

 

[AppleFan360]

Funny, this is one of the reasons I hate apple. Even though I own lots of Apple stock, and lots of apple products including 2 ipads, have owned 8 iphones, 4 ipods, appletv, and will be getting a macbook pro soon. I will never, and I mean NEVER purchase a 'red' product knowingly.


I get that AIDS charities are the politically correct thing to donate to.

But I would much rather it be put towards cancer research. For the following reasons:

-Cancer impacts almost everyone in some way, shape, or form. Whether you yourself have it, get it, know someone who has it or will get it. Aids is very rare in the scheme of things. And mostly happens to people who are participating in a risky lifestyle. Sexual orientation totally out of the conversation. Either it is through unprotected sex, sharing needles, transmission to unborn babies is of course the one 100% exception to that rule.

-People of all ages and risk levels are affected. AIDS you know how to avoid. But many people make bad decisions and still get it. Cancer strikes even people who take all the precautions like sunscreen, avoiding contact with chemicals, etc....

-Making large strides towards a cure for cancer would possibly apply to all forms of cancer, of which there are many. Not just going towards research and primarily to drugs to treat those who have it but cant afford the pills. Regardless of how they got it and if they were reckless or took precautions.



And heck, cancer is even what killed Steve Jobs for goodness sake.

Wow, some real common sense for a change. I totally agree. Cancer has already taken several of my family members so I try to help the cause as much as I can. This whole red thing is just a blip on my radar.

 

[Rogifan]

$20 million dollar tax deduction!
Which means the US tax papers are actually paying for this!!!

I love it when corporations donate money to charities only to deduct it from their taxes to put the burden on the US tax payers!

Go Apple !!!

So let me guess you don't deduct any charitable contributions on your tax form (assuming you file a 1040).

----------

Wow, some real common sense for a change. I totally agree. Cancer has already taken several of my family members so I try to help the cause as much as I can. This whole red thing is just a blip on my radar.

And if Apple did cancer then someone would argue they should do heart disease or diabetes or parkinson's or ALS etc.

 

[NY Guitarist]

Only because you don't agree with it.

No it's silly because it's not based on any real evidence and is an assertion based on hyperbole.

Again, another distraction from making better iPhones and iPads.

What makes you think that supporting RED is a distraction from making better iPhones and iPads? Can you support this assertion with any factual information? If not then the assertion is invalid as it is pure hyperbole.

Besides, doing good deeds then boasting about them is actually more self serving than anything else.

How do you know that this is more self-serving than anything else? I see the value in what Apple is doing and in 'boasting' of it not only helps raise money for this endeavor but raises awareness. It is possible that the intent in advertising Product RED is that Apple is using their high profile to help others?

Here's an idea Apple. Donate to whatever cause you want but shut the hell up and concentrate on innovation and customer satisfaction which has been losing ground as of late.

Isn't raising awareness part of the effort to help raise money? Does advertising RED automatically mean that Apple has taken away from efforts in other areas? Why do you think they are related?


I stand by my opinion that the assertion you put forth is silly.

 

[WilliamLondon]

Funny, this is one of the reasons I hate apple. Even though I own lots of Apple stock, and lots of apple products including 2 ipads, have owned 8 iphones, 4 ipods, appletv, and will be getting a macbook pro soon. I will never, and I mean NEVER purchase a 'red' product knowingly.


I get that AIDS charities are the politically correct thing to donate to.

But I would much rather it be put towards cancer research. For the following reasons:

-Cancer impacts almost everyone in some way, shape, or form. Whether you yourself have it, get it, know someone who has it or will get it. Aids is very rare in the scheme of things. And mostly happens to people who are participating in a risky lifestyle. Sexual orientation totally out of the conversation. Either it is through unprotected sex, sharing needles, transmission to unborn babies is of course the one 100% exception to that rule.

-People of all ages and risk levels are affected. AIDS you know how to avoid. But many people make bad decisions and still get it. Cancer strikes even people who take all the precautions like sunscreen, avoiding contact with chemicals, etc....

-Making large strides towards a cure for cancer would possibly apply to all forms of cancer, of which there are many. Not just going towards research and primarily to drugs to treat those who have it but cant afford the pills. Regardless of how they got it and if they were reckless or took precautions.



And heck, cancer is even what killed Steve Jobs for goodness sake.

I've got a better idea: we enact a law that says bigots get to choose which one disease all charitable funding will support.

 

[steve62388]

I've got a better idea: we enact a law that says bigots get to choose which one disease all charitable funding will support.

Well that escalated quickly.