It demonstrates that companies can make a huge impact and help by focusing creative talent and marketing an idea, demonstrating it isn't all bottom-line business, and that heart and a conscience combined with style are what corporate citizens should all strive for.
M.A.C. AIDS Fund is marking a momentous milestone - $100 million raised to help fight HIV and AIDS around the world.
The money represents the sale over the past 13 years of more than 7.1 million Viva Glam lip products. The entire 100 per cent of the sale price has gone to the work of the Fund.
The lipsticks are still some of the best shades in the business - from sultry neutral mauves to diva dark classics. Owning every one ever made, they are all still fashionable and incredibly wearable for any variety of occasion.
"Our $100 million landmark has been reached with enormous commitment from our Viva Glam spokespeople, M.A.C. makeup artists and dedicated customers," said M.A.C AIDS Fund Executive Director, Nancy Mahon.
Helping to sell the fundraising for the M.A.C. AIDS Fund have been a clever grouping of glamourous celebrity spokespeople.
Each connected with a specific shade of Viva Glam Lipstick, these 16 spokespeople have made public appearances and appeared in advertisements over the last 13 years to raise money and awareness for the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The inaugural Viva Glam spokesperson was performer RuPaul.
The outspoken superstars who joined the fight for HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, testing and support, taking their message around the globe also included K.D. Lang, Mary J. Blige, Elton John, Shirley Manson, Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Linda Evangelista, Chloe Sevigny, Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, Debbie Harry and Lisa Marie Presley.
Currently the face of the M.A.C AIDS Fund is Fergie, Eve and burlesque star, Dita Von Teese.
"The celebrities who have joined us over the years embody the spirit of M.A.C and the M.A.C AIDS Fund - Every Race, Every Sex, Every Age," said M.A.C AIDS Fund Chairman and M.A.C President, John Demsey.
This crusade against the deadly disease is further reinforced by its spokespersons. This year, two stylish fashion icons appear in their ads to support the Viva Glam cause: fashionable burlesque queen, Dita Von Teese and hip-hop star, Eve.
Viva Glam was introduced as an outspoken deep red shade lipstick in 1994. Today, the newest member of the Viva Glam family, the Viva Glam VI, is a warm terracotta-plum with pearl finish.
The M.A.C. AIDS Fund was the brainchild of Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo, co-founders of M.A.C. Cosmetics. As the AIDS epidemic spread and began to impact the fashion and entertainment world, the two men searched for a way to respond to their personal and profound sense of loss.
Encouraged by M.A.C employees, they decided to make HIV/AIDS organizations the beneficiaries of the company’s charitable focus. Their first fundraising initiative, Viva Glam lipstick, was an unqualified success.
Viva Glam - the original lipstick - is a deep, neutral red and was an instant hit with the help of original spokesperson, Ru Paul.
Viva Glam II was introduced in 1997 to maintain the fund-raising momentum. The muted mauve-pink shade was another hit, along with the help of its spokesperson, K.d. lang.
The two shades continue to be some of M.A.C.'s best-selling shades.
Viva Glam III, a plum-brown shade, was launched in 2000 with Lil’ Kim and Mary J. Blige, and raised a record-breaking $7 million in less than two years.
Viva Glam IV, a frosted rose and gold shimmer lipstick, was introduced with Mary J. Blige, Shirley Manson and Elton John in 2002.
Viva Glam V, a neutral frost pink Lipstick and introduction with Viva Glam V Lipglass was launched in 2002 with Christina Aguilera, Linda Evangelista, Chloë Sevigny and Missy Elliott. The campaign was refreshed with Pam Anderson, who thus far has helped raised 12 million in just one year.
M.A.C. is the leading brand of professional cosmetics, and was
created in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and is now part of The Estée Lauder
Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a tradition
of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers
and journalists around the world.
