Despite having big names like Oprah, Bono and Giorgio Armani rooting for the cause, the (RED) campaign has been turned out to be well, a complete failure. According web reports, despite having blown close to $100 million in advertising, marketing and branding, (RED) has only raised $18 million in funds for Africa.

The folks at (RED) say they are committed to keeping the dream alive, and that they hope to raise that number to $25 million in the next few months. But still, raising $25 million when you spent $100 million in advertising seems like a laughable proposition. Sure, awareness means something, but if (RED) really wanted to effect change, they should have just sent the cash to Africa in the first place.

Hindsight is 20/20, but someone should have seen that one coming.

[Correction: Consulting company in charge of (RED) contacted me to let me know that this was erroneous info. Apologies for the mistake. Guess you can't trust everything you read on the internet.... AM]