Apple and Starbucks Partner for (Product) Red Gift Cards

Just in time for the holidays, Apple and Starbucks have partnered up for a (Product) Red gift card combo. When you buy the $15 iTunes + $15 Starbucks gift card both companies together will contribute 5% to the Global Fund to help fund AIDS research.

Give a gift that gives back this holiday season with Starbucks iTunes (RED)™ eGift basket. You can send loved ones a thoughtful gift of two digital eGifts—$15 eGift to Starbucks and $15 eGift to iTunes—for $30. Plus, for every gift sold, Starbucks and iTunes will together contribute 5% of the purchase price to the Global Fund to help deliver an AIDS free generation by 2015. With the convenience of a Starbucks Card, Starbucks Card eGifts can be used for purchases in-store at participating company-owned and licensed stores in the U.S. and online. This unique and meaningful eGift basket can be purchased at www.starbucks.com/REDeGift.

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Apple has long been a supporter of the (Product) Red campaign, selling red iPod nano models, iPad Smart Cases and Smart Covers. Most recently, Apple released a (Product) Red bumper for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. At an Apple town hall meeting in February, Tim Cook mentioned that Apple (Product) Red products have generated over $50 million to help fund AIDS research. The gift card combo can be purchased at this website.

Top Rated Comments

crisss1205 Avatar
137 months ago
**Insert Starbucks/Apple hipster joke**
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Derekuda Avatar
137 months ago
WOW, how generous for two multi-billion dollar companies to donate a tiny 5% after making broke consumers spend $30. Yup, they sure are helping alot... *rolls eyes*

To hell with Apple and Starbucks.... Greedy bastards.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EricNau Avatar
137 months ago
Two great companies partnering for a great cause. I like. :)

And the ability to give $15 at iTunes and $15 at Starbucks with only one gift card is rather clever somehow; it makes for a nice pair.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paul4339 Avatar
137 months ago
I love that they're contributing some of the money to charity but 5%? That's weak.
5% may seem slim but just remember that for Apple gets 30% of every $1 of iTunes revenue. From the 30 cents it has to run the entire iTunes ecosystem (data centers, bandwidth, financial transaction to credit cards, marketing, referrals, legal, etc).
It's estimated in 2010 that *over* 2/3rds of the 30 cents went to running iTunes. if that's true that leaves Apple with a most 10 cents per dollar.

So 5% may seem weak, but I'd say 9-11% is about as high can go without risking losing money on product Red currently. (I'm sure Apple is hoping to make alot more on their iTunes side, since the Appstore is growing real fast)
.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TeachMeiOS.com Avatar
137 months ago
I like it when good companies give back!

There is a debate out there about whether or not a company should give back to social causes. To me, I think regardless of what side of the debate you land on, it is admirable when big corporations make an effort like this to make a difference in society. So, good work Apple and Starbucks. Keep this pattern up!

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Two great companies partnering for a great cause. I like. :)

And the ability to give $15 at iTunes and $15 at Starbucks with only one gift card is rather clever somehow; it makes for a nice pair.

This is a good pairing! Why not grab a cup of coffee and download a few apps - perfect!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tiggerz Avatar
137 months ago
I'm afraid it will take more than this token gesture in the UK to rehabilitate Starbucks. I am one of the many people who is now boycotting them over the aggressive tax avoidance they have been practicing in the UK. Starbucks are a parasitic organisation here: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19967397

If they donated 5% of the tax they have avoided paying that really would make a difference. :-/
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)