Music
02 Jul 08

Bono's (RED) combines music and charity

(RED), a charity started by U2 frontman Bono, has announced a new initiative to help to raise money for people living with AIDS in Africa, through the medium of music.

The new digital music service will deliver customers exclusive content per week, with half of the membership fees going to the Global Fund.

Don MacKinnon, President of (RED) Content, said, "The world's best brands created (RED) products that have generated over US$110 million. What we are doing now is applying the (RED) model to music. Every week you will receive great music from amazing artists and people living with AIDS in Africa will receive lifesaving antiretroviral medicine."

Users will pay US$5 per month and receive a weekly "issue" containing an exclusive song from one of the world's top artists; a song by an emerging artist; a piece of non-music content called a "Crackerjack surprise" and stories of how (RED) funds are being used.

And Bono's already been heaping praise on MacKinnon and his idea. "Don MacKinnon just might be the Penicillin the ailing music business needs," the star said.

"He is an innovator by nature and I have no doubt that some of the music software we are working on at (RED) will help change the way music is received, as well as changing the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drug that (RED) can provide."

The (RED) music initiative is due to be unveiled in Autumn 2008.