Target offers up pink iPod shuffle Special Edition

With little fanfare a new iPod package has made its way onto Target shelves in the name of cancer. The pink shuffle -- which may or may not be different than the hot pink model from the last-gen shuffles -- comes packaged with a $15 iTunes Gift Card, courtesy of Target, who is donating a portion of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, totalling $25,000. Happily, the player maintains its $79 price tag, so barring an aversion to pink or cancer cures, you've really got no reason not to seek one of these out. They're only in retail stores, and there's no telling when supplies will run out.

[Thanks, Kiwi616]

[paul34 @ Sep 26th 2007 5:12PM]

Interesting, as I'm sure the Breast Cancer Foundation would find a simple, tax-deductable $79 donation much more useful.

But hey, gotta make money even if it means exploiting the sick, right?

[ja$on @ Sep 26th 2007 5:15PM]

They are exploiting the sick by donating money to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation?

[paul34 @ Sep 26th 2007 5:17PM]

Nope, they're doing it by saying "hey, buy my product... and I'll give a very small donation to a charitable organization!"

It encourages purchases because people want to help the foundation; instead, they could just donate to the foundation, helping them a lot more, and not add to a company's bottom line.

Do you see what I'm talking about? They use this to help sell more shuffles.

There is another way of looking at it. It's good if you were planning to buy a shuffle anyway.

[JDizzle @ Sep 26th 2007 5:20PM]

but you're missing the fact that many people don't just donate to charities. So what if they use the donation to sell more shuffles, any donation is a good donation.

[Rob @ Sep 26th 2007 5:37PM]

I think that out of the big-box retailers, Target's got one of the best records in donating to worthy causes without treating their employees like slaves. I don't see anything wrong with combining a worthy cause with a high selling product. So, if you like the iPod shuffle and like it in pink, then you'd be doing a good deed. Every one wins here people. If you don't like it in pink, then get it in a different color and send out a check to a charity of your choice. But don't be so negative about someone doing something positive.

[Leiterfluid @ Sep 26th 2007 5:41PM]

I must be one of the few who agree with you.
Adding "Breast Cancer Awareness" and the pink ribbon is little more than a marketing gimmick, and quite frankly, I'm a little tired of companies using the "Save the Ta-Tas" campaign to move merchandise.

While it's true that breast cancer is a serious problem, prostate cancer kills more people than breast cancer, but where's my brown iPod?

[Brad @ Sep 26th 2007 5:57PM]

The thing is that they're agreeing to cut into their own profits to support a charity, and in return MAY sell more units.

Yes, the breast cancer society would do great with a $80 check, but then the person sending it gets nothing. What this really amounts to is people buy an iPod shuffle at the normal price, and then feel good about themselves for supporting a charity in the mean time. If you asked them to write a $15 check most of 'em wouldn't, but you can bet no one thinks twice about spending $0 extra to donate to a charity (unless, of course, they think they're exploiting the sick).

Kind of a negative spin you've put on what turns out to be a very positive thing (and is regularly done). What does that say about you?

[imacjenn @ Sep 26th 2007 6:04PM]

As I think someone else said, any money donated to charity is a good thing. Would it be nice if people donated money without buying something at the same time? Sure! But a lot of people simply are not going to do that.... but they might buy a pink iPod or a red whatever and then at least a small amount of money will go towards a charity - and when you add up all the small donation, then maybe it ends up being a decent donation.

Also, don't assume that because a compnay sells a "gimmicked" product for charity that they DON'T also dontate substantial amounts to that charity, or others.

[John @ Sep 26th 2007 6:26PM]

Sounds good, Paul34. Let me know how the Breast Cancer Research Foundation reacts to you convincing them that Apple is only in it for the money and that a non-profit research foundation would in no way benefit from receiving donations based on iPod shuffle sales.

Your argument that Apple's only selling pink iPod shuffles to make more money for themselves is facetious at best ("Oh! I really want to support breast cancer! I know, I'll go buy an iPod shuffle!"). The system works the other way around. A person *already interested* in buying an iPod shuffle has the extra option to donate money to breast cancer research. Even if your logic was correct, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation benefits from the sales either way.

[Leiterfluid @ Sep 26th 2007 6:32PM]

I would argue that every dollar that "cuts into their own profits" is tax-deductible. So it's not really cutting into their bottom line all that much, now is it.

Am I cynical? Absolutely. I applaud Apple, Target, and other for giving money to worthy charities, regardless of motives. But expecting something in return for "donating" money to a charity misses the point of charity altogether. The problem isn't with Apple giving money to Breast Cancer research for each pink iPod sold. The problem is that "charity" has become a business model whereby people expect to get something for their "donation."

That, and Breast Cancer awareness has been so over-marketed, that you can't walk into a store without seeing that damned pink ribbon. It's like the Shrek and Star Wars of charities. What's next? Action Figures?

[Craig @ Sep 26th 2007 6:48PM]

john, your view of apple's motive behind the breast cancer donations is naive and idealistic at best. the foundation benefits (to what degree is debatable), but apple certainly benefits by enhancing its image and shuffle-awareness in the minds of consumers.

[artifex @ Sep 26th 2007 8:32PM]

These special versions of products are for people who are going to buy the products anyway.

If you're already going to spend $80 on a red shuffle, why not pick a different color, get the same benefit for the same amount of money, PLUS Apple pays 5% or whatever?

[painty @ Sep 26th 2007 9:07PM]

you are soooooo deluded.....

[eh @ Sep 27th 2007 1:27AM]

People will buy this because A) Its pink; B) It comes with a $15 gift card and they dont mind pink. Aside from the few psycho apple fanboys that would buy Steve Jobs' used toilet paper if it ended up on the Apple store, nobody buys these charity products for the sole purpose of supporting the charity. People buy these because they want the product, the charity thing is just a nice bonus. Telling them to just donate $79 doesnt get them an iPod.

I would not be surprised if Apple is just trying to get rid of stock from a failed idea, hence the weird packaging and $15 gift card. Regardless of the motive its still better to donate a portion to a charity than not to donate anything.

[gjp303 @ Sep 26th 2007 5:18PM]

I'd love to buy it and donate to finding cancer cures. But does the gadget HAVE to be Pink! Come on you know more people would buy it if they were different colors.

[Craig @ Sep 26th 2007 5:25PM]

buy a regular shuffle and send $5 to the breast cancer research foundation

[gjp303 @ Sep 26th 2007 6:06PM]

But generally, i do believe that Apple or any other company who throws money to finding a cure would get more sales if it came in different colors. especally guys who would get teased if ever caught with a pink ipod.

[metal @ Sep 26th 2007 11:21PM]

To be fair I think that if you told them it was pink because part of your purchase went to breast cancer research they would let it slide.

and if not you need new friends.

[blade417 @ Sep 26th 2007 5:25PM]

I don't mind donating, breast cancer sucks, it pretty much eliminates breasts, breasts are awesome..... screw breast cancer.

[robothouse @ Sep 26th 2007 5:52PM]

New official slogan of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

[The Grand Master @ Sep 26th 2007 5:34PM]

WTF?

[Tommy Crashwreck @ Sep 26th 2007 5:39PM]

This pink looks fainter than hot pink, it's more of a pastel.

Also I'm going to second paul34's assessment of the actual kind of lowdown scumbaggery that is behind this ploy. Just like that Vera Bradley crap, or Burger King and the Jimmy Fund, or anything else where a corporation "partners" with a non-profit. Sure, it helps the non-profit a little, but what if the corporation just went ahead and donated a lot of money instead? Hey, that'd be great.

[yun @ Sep 26th 2007 5:47PM]

You do realize the difference between corporation and non-profit charity?

[raymie @ Sep 26th 2007 5:41PM]

go die

[ben @ Sep 26th 2007 5:45PM]

Rob said
I think that out of the big-box retailers, Target's got one of the best records in donating to worthy causes without treating their employees like slaves.

I believe that target gives approx 150 mill to community organizations each year. I worked there for three years and i think that the 6-7 school affiliated to our store each got around 35-50 grand each year.

[Wwhat @ Sep 26th 2007 6:18PM]

That package looks like some condom sale, durex with free gadget.

[Trace The Hedgehog @ Sep 26th 2007 6:24PM]

This one looks prettier than the hot pink one.

[Sardonic Bastard @ Sep 26th 2007 6:28PM]

This is tripe. Look at the actual amount they're donating- $25,000 is less than what target would spend on a single advertisement anywhere. And yet they'll sell more of them, because people actually think they're doing something good with their money. All of the press releases that go out and get posted on blogs just like this turn into FREE advertising for target.

On top of that, breast cancer (and the susan g. komen foundation- aka the "pink ribbon" people) is one of the most over-hyped causes out there right now. You can get campbell's soup, ipods, cars, water bottles, shirts- you name it- that somehow allegedly supports that foundation. There are thousands of charities that are more worthy of your dollars than them.

Don't believe me? Read up!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1543947-1,00.html

[Killian @ Sep 26th 2007 10:31PM]

damn breast cancer supporters...

[Sardonic Bastard @ Sep 26th 2007 6:32PM]

Here's another excellent link. It contains a list of products, questions to ask, and lots and lots of information on why this "pinkwashing" trend is a bad thing:

http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/

[Sean DL @ Sep 26th 2007 11:19PM]

Penn and Teller talked about that on their showtime show(BS, for those who know), even though the money may be bullocks, the community support that comes out of the "pink" is a good thing.

[james cordero @ Sep 26th 2007 7:03PM]

If we men as so tired of the Susan B. Komen foundation and the Breast Cancer Foundations success, perhaps we should become vigilant activists the way women did to help better the voice for their cause. Most will attribute the success that this organization has had is due to the successful lobbying and awareness raising of ACTUP, the aids organization. I applaude both of these groups for getting organized and raising their voices to get their message out to the people and the politicians. Perhaps we men ought to quit complaining and start donating and become active in the fight against prostate cancer! Instead we do little to nothing about it. For the record, my mother has had breast cancer and we all(her children) support her in her efforts as well as in our own donations and works.

[KC @ Sep 26th 2007 7:47PM]

In the United States, breast cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer and colon cancer). How about more awareness for colon cancer, and maybe an ipod for colon cancer?

[artifex @ Sep 26th 2007 8:35PM]

Heart/cardiovascular disease kills one in four men and one in four women.
That's a lot more than any single cancer. It's the leading cause of death for both sexes, now.
Heart disease isn't as sexy as breast disease, though, especially since it forces people to realize they often personally have to make lifestyle changes to avoid heart attacks.

[Cycomachead @ Sep 26th 2007 8:09PM]

But why is that shuffle is a 1st gen box? The box is the same shape as the old nanos. The new ones are fat.

[Sean DL @ Sep 26th 2007 11:16PM]

Target got an idea to put the "old" iPod shuffle in a special package and call it limited edition,...Yeah, because after you run out, no more pink shuffles...

[craighead @ Sep 26th 2007 8:38PM]

How about the fact that HEART DISEASE kills more than 3x as many women as breast cancer? Ohhhhh, I get it...Nothing says "girl" like the color pink. Heart disease needs a cute little color to make people care.

Wake up people. Your wives and mothers are dropping dead from heart attacks!

[Sean DL @ Sep 26th 2007 11:14PM]

Then start your own project...Oh wait, you rather complain about another project then do something...

[dc @ Sep 26th 2007 9:27PM]

Most wasteful packaging ever. What a step backwards.

[Gamoe @ Sep 26th 2007 10:36PM]

Apart from the entire charity vs. marketing debate, what I don't understand is why this isn't on the Apple website. I can't even find a press release on Apple.com. How do we know this is a genuine Apple product?

[Sean DL @ Sep 26th 2007 11:13PM]

It is a genuine Target product. They are just using the left over "old" pink iPod shuffles they have in a special edition package.

It's why the Apple logo is only on the Apple products...

The only Apple approved charity product is the Project (Red) iPods...

[Major Malfunction @ Sep 26th 2007 10:51PM]

*DING* Douchetard alert!

[Miker @ Sep 27th 2007 3:26AM]

...and what about testicular cancer?! I presume this MP3 player would be more appropriate http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/28/soundwave-1gb-pink-mp3-ball-rolls-out/

[Yoshi Likes Boys @ Sep 27th 2007 8:33AM]

Not quite the $10 out of every $200 Red nano, but good stuff anyway.

[Pete @ Sep 27th 2007 8:49AM]

Look at the amount of packaging on that thing. It is absolutely disgraceful. How can Apple, with all their environmental policies, allow someone to sell this. Landfills will be filling up with discarded packaging. Look at the size of the iPod relative to the packaging. That is absolutely appalling.

[Sean DL @ Sep 27th 2007 12:20PM]

I guess you don't shop at Target or Walmart....Almost everything they sell is in that type of packaging.

Apple can't tell what someone can do with a discontinued product, specially not a big box company.

[IndiaTech @ Sep 27th 2007 1:54PM]

Hmmm... I am not that keen in these Product (RED) kind of marketing...
I mean, I buy stuff because I want to and not because they "support" some good cause.

For me, I am happy buying an iPod of my choice and then donating $10 to the Breast Cancer Foundation, directly.

As for Target, they are trying to get rid of last gen Pink iPod shuffles for lesser profit than for no profit at all.

I have been giving stuff / food / money to organizations like Red Cross / Global Fund / BCF because I want help them, not because it fits my shopping habits....

Personal Prespectives, I guess....

[AdamRL @ Sep 28th 2007 10:47AM]

Just wanted to add - further to some comments above - that my local Target is selling the Hot Pink version and not some lighter shade. Maybe there really is a special edition that isn't insanely pink - or maybe they're all this way.

[sgreenler @ Dec 17th 2007 6:37PM]

All I have to say is that the only reason that I am buying this iPod is because I am a breast cancer survivor and want a pink one to go with all of my other PINK!!! I just wish that it had a little pink ribbon on the actual ipod. I see it as an educational too not a marketing tool. If someone see's me w/ the pink ipod or any of my other Pink items that may remind them to do an exam or to ask about cancer and I am always willing to educate someone on how important it is to do your exams and get your mamagrams. It could and will save your life. It saved mine and several of my friends.