UNAIDS Cites (RED) as an Innovative Organization For an AIDS Free Generations in 2015

Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), visited South Africa last week and pressed that with political will and increased funding, the world could see an AIDS Free Generation born in 2015. There is a great deal of global interest in the 2015 goal, and UNAIDS cites (RED) as an example of an innovative organization promoting awareness and raising needed resources in helping reach it. 

UNAIDS estimates about 90% of new HIV infections among children are concentrated in 22 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and India. The Global Plan delivered after the UN High-Level Meeting on AIDS in June 2011 focuses on how to address the challenges in these priority countries, and it emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach that incorporates a broad range of maternal and child health programs, puts utmost importance on country ownership of the programs and emphasizes the need for concrete plans and accountability at every level, from governments down to local communities.
Speaking from the Zola clinic in Soweto, South Africa, one of the 22 most burdened countries with 14% of the global burden, Mr. Sidibé said, “Mother by mother, clinic by clinic, and country by country we can reach pregnant women with HIV services, to ensure their babies are born free from HIV and to improve their own health.” He called on countries to accelerate progress towards the global goal to eliminate new HIV infections amongst children.

Representatives from the 22 high burden countries are meeting in South Africa this week to assess the country plans called for in the Global Plan. The two-day meeting will focus on closing the gap in these countries and creating momentum for the 2015 goal of an AIDS Free Generation being born.

You can read more here.

Thank you for being (RED).

Ashley

Bono's Tribute to Steve Jobs, a True (RED) Champion..

"What made Steve Jobs truly great is that he was only interested in doing truly great things.  He was bored by an easy ride or easy profit.  In a world littered with dull objects, he brought the beauty of clean lines and clear thought. This rhyme of intellect and intuition could be applied to a wide range of subjects from the US education system, to sculpture, to the fight against HIV/AIDS where his support of (RED) literally transformed the lives of two million people in Africa.

He changed music. He changed film. He changed the personal computer and turned telephony on its head while he was at it.  He was tenacious in the extreme, his toughness never more evident than these past few years in his fight for his life as well as his companies.

Steve told me as proud as he was of Apple and Pixar, his real pride was his family.  He was a thoughtful and tender father, and loved nothing more than hanging out in the house with his belle Laurene and the kids.

I already miss him...one of a very small group of anarchic Americans who through technology literally invented the 21st century. We will all miss the hardware software Elvis."
 -Bono

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011...

The (RED) team would like to express condolences to Steve Jobs' family, friends and colleagues today. Mr. Jobs led Apple into its partnership with (RED) in 2006 and that partnership has helped to save the lives of millions of people with HIV in Africa. We are forever grateful for his leadership.

(RED)’s CEO, Deborah Dugan, Speaks Tonight at UN Event: Every Woman, Every Child

This evening, (RED)’s CEO, Deborah Dugan will speak at the UN Event: Every Woman, Every Child. Hosted by UN Special Envoy for Malaria and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Advocate, Ray Chambers, leaders from the worlds of business, politics, health, culture, and media will discuss the role of maternal and child health in achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The health of women and children is at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals. Without addressing the needs of these two populations – at once the most vulnerable members of society and the two groups with the greatest potential to transform the word – we cannot achieve broader goals around poverty, equality, defeating disease, or environmental sustainability.

The evening will host numerous illustrious speakers including Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Desmond Tutu, Christy Turlington Burns, Jennifer Connolly, 50 Cent, Deepak Chopra, President Kikwete (Tanzania), Princess Cristina (Spain), Rajiv Shah (USAID), Tony Lake (UNICEF).

Tonight’s conversation promises to be a dynamic and informative platform to bring new people, organizations, and sectors into the race to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Meet (RED)’s New CEO: Deborah Dugan

Today is an exciting day. We’re thrilled to announce that Deborah Dugan has joinred the (RED) family as our new CEO.

Deborah's career spans more than 16 years of diverse and pioneering media experience. She formerly served as President of Disney Publishing Worldwide, as Senior Advisor to the Tribeca Enterprises Board and as Executive Vice President at EMI/Capitol Records.

“We’re very excited Deborah Dugan is coming to lead (RED),” said Bono. “She’s got firecracking energy, great creativity, and a hardcore business background -- all very good news for us and the wider global health community.”

In Deborah's own words, “I am energized and honored to lead (RED) at this exciting time for the organization and the fight to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We have in our sights a momentous goal – virtually ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the year 2015, which (RED) and its partner organizations will be working to help achieve. With the world’s most iconic brand partners and with one of the largest digital cause communities of 2.5 million, (RED) will be engaging young people in the fight in even more provocative and innovative ways and getting them to ‘be (RED)’ to trigger donations from our partners.”

Read the full Press Release here.

Apple (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod models ..

Choose (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod models and iTunes Gift Cards, and Apple gives a portion of the purchase price to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

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You make choices every day, from the clothes you wear to the music you play. Now making a choice means making a difference. That’s because proceeds from every iPod nano sold go directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

The Global Fund.

The numbers don’t lie: More than 3,600 people die every day from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, and more than 1,000 children are infected with HIV everyday. (PRODUCT) RED works with companies, like Apple, to create (PRODUCT) RED branded products and direct up to 50 percent of gross profits from the sale of those products to the Global Fund to help fund AIDS programs in Africa. Since its introduction, (PRODUCT) RED has generated more than $160 million for the Global Fund. And now you can make an impact by purchasing (PRODUCT) RED.

For further information about the Global Fund and (RED)™, visit JOINRED.com.
Buy iPod nano (PRODUCT) red

Are You the Next (RED) Digital Intern?

Do you want to put your digital skills to work at (RED)?

(RED) is seeking an energetic, passionate, social media obsessed Digital Intern based in New York during the fall of 2011. We’re looking for juniors, seniors, or 2011 graduates who can commit to a minimum of 4 days per week. World AIDS Day is on 1st December so it’s (RED)’s busiest time!

The intern will work with the (RED) Digital Team on a variety of creative projects.

The intern will:
· Assist with digital marketing, communications campaigns, and organization

· Create digital assets for (RED) properties and campaigns

· Update www.joinred.com via a Content Management System

· Research/utilize latest social media to engage and inform our supporters

Intern qualifications include:
· Addicted to social media: must use Facebook & Twitter. Uses of other social media/blogs a plus.

· Comprehensive digital design knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign

· Love of music a plus.

· Excellent research and writing skills

· Organizational abilities and keen attention to detail

· Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite

· Ability to work in an energetic atmosphere and take direction

· Discretion and a professional demeanor

· Dependable and punctual

· GPA of 3.0 or higher

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter in one email to InternApplication@joinred.com  by 5:00pm (EST) on Friday, September 2, 2011:

This is an unpaid position.

Visit our website to learn more about (RED) - www.joinred.com