Wings of Desire (and Virtue)

Yesterday we announced that (RED) shoppers had generated $45 million for the Global Fund. Tremendous! We took that news into a wonderful lunch hosted by the Ad Club to honor Bobby Shriver and the entire (RED) community, and highlight the power of consumer action. Bobby looked nervous as the toasting/roasting began. Richard Plepler, Russell Simmons, Dave Maddocks and Mark Dowley all told hilarious and wonderful stories, as did Bobby's cousin Caroline Kennedy. The remarks that put a finer point on all those before came from Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria, who spoke of the need to rebrand Africa as a vibrant center of entrepreneurship and opportunity. She applauded Vanity Fair’s Africa issue and the efforts of (RED) partners to source products and materials from Africa. Always more to do and her message was a good rallying call.

This morning, I spoke on a panel for Self Magazine, which is focusing on empowering their readers with more information about how to "do good." It's always fun to stand up and talk about what (RED) shoppers are doing, especially as I am now on my way to Berlin, Germany for the Global Fund's Donor Pledging Conference… yet another chance to explain the (RED) model and results to date, this time to governments that are called upon to do their part to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

--Tamsin