Bank of America Donating $1 to Product (RED) for Every Free iTunes Download of U2's 'Invisible' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Bank of America Donating $1 to Product (RED) for Every Free iTunes Download of U2's 'Invisible'

by

During yesterday's Super Bowl broadcast, a new ad featuring rock group U2 announced that Bank of America would donate $1 to (Product) RED's fight against AIDS for every free iTunes download of the band's new single "Invisible" [Direct Link]. The promotion will be active until 11:59 PM EST on February 3.


Product (RED) was co-founded by U2 lead signer Bono and activist Bobby Shriver in 2006, with Apple raising more than $65 million for the charity since then through special products. Last year, one-of-a-kind products designed by Apple's senior vice president of design Jony Ive and designer Marc Newson were sold off at Sotheby's charity auction to benefit Product (RED), which raised over $13 million.

(Product) RED is also affiliated with several other companies in addition to Apple, including American Express, Nike, and Starbucks, raising more than $200 million to date.

Top Rated Comments

polterbyte Avatar
159 months ago
I'd prefer a free song from Katy Perry. Bono is a bit of a dick.
"A song from Katy Perry" is a contradiction of terms.

And if you can be a dick, as your post clearly shows, I believe Bono is entitled to be one too.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSRS Avatar
159 months ago
I'd prefer a free song from Katy Perry. Bono is a bit of a dick.

First, I love U2. Have since "October"

I wouldn't call Bono a dick. Pompous? Certainly. But he certainly is passionate about helping people, putting his own money where his mouth is, too, as well as using his celebrity to raise money and awareness.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Digital Skunk Avatar
159 months ago
Done. Don't even really care for the music but it's a small thing to do that might help someone.

Same here. My wife loves the band so that will be two more.

----------

that.

but also, i think the whole "Red" thing is throwing money away, instead of putting it to good use. instead of using the money towards research to find a cure, they'd rather hand medicine to HIV women so they can get pregnant with some sort of ease-of-mind, that the baby's condition will be taken care of.

Yeah because everyone suffering from HIV thinks exactly like that. Or is this some sort of slight against the entire movement to help treat poor people in Africa instead of lining the pockets of Americans to help develop a cure that will most likely be out of the reach of folks suffering in Africa?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ck2875 Avatar
159 months ago
Yes, I know it's a commercial to create good will for the companies involved, and while it's a nice gesture, I find it a bit weird for them to spend $8 million for the 1 minute advertisement slot during the Super Bowl (not counting production costs), and then Bank of America only pledging to donate $1 per download, up to $2 million. I would have rather seen a 30 second slot for $4 million and BoA donating $6 million to charity.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dejo Avatar
159 months ago
...and then Bank of America only pledging to donate $1 per download, up to $2 million.

Actually, it's up to $8 million.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
159 months ago
First, I love U2. Have since "October"

I wouldn't call Bono a dick. Pompous? Certainly. But he certainly is passionate about helping people, putting his own money where his mouth is, too, as well as using his celebrity to raise money and awareness.

I don't know. The rock career is long over and this new gig raising money for needy pharmaceutical companies kind of creeps me out.

At one end you have people donating money, and at the other, really needy sick people and that sounds OK, until you think about the millions for big pharma in the middle.

Look around the www, researchers say it's almost impossible to find out where the money is going. 1% to the needy, >50% on salaries? RED is a business not a charity. It's more about awareness… Eww.

I know someone who went to school with him and I think the consensus was, he was always a bit of a dick. Just add money and fame.

I'm more than happy to 'take' the bank's money, but looking around, I get the uneasy feeling, I'm not making much of a difference.

It might be The Edge you were thinking of admiring.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
macworld iphone 18 pro colors

iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'

Friday April 17, 2026 3:50 am PDT by
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...