The U2 frontman who co-founded Product Red in 2006 was Bono.
Bono, whose birth name is Paul David Hewson, created the initiative with activist Bobby Shriver. Product Red uses a commercial partnership model: companies create specially branded products, and an agreed share of proceeds supports the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The initiative was announced in 2006 and initially focused on raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. Partners included major companies such as Apple, Gap, Converse, American Express, and Motorola, helping turn charitable giving into a visible consumer campaign.
Product Red is sometimes confused with Bono’s other advocacy organizations, including DATA and the One Campaign. Those groups also addressed poverty, debt, and disease, but Product Red specifically centers on licensed brand partnerships and contributions to the Global Fund.