Just came across this, though it seems to be a year or so old. Dan the man, on brands, ideas and telling stories round the campfire.

Today, (RED) announced Nike as its latest global brand partner, lining up alongside the likes of Gap, Motorola, American Express, Starbucks and Apple to create co-branded products to raise money for the fight against AIDS, T.B. and Malaria. The first product to be developed by the partnership are some rather natty (RED) laces, which will be worn by a host of Nike athletes over the coming months.

Says Nike:

"The Nike and (RED) concept is a simple one that invites people to ‘Lace Up. Save Lives’ by purchasing a pair of NIKE  (PRODUCT)RED laces. One hundred percent of the profits from (NIKE)RED laces will be split equally between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine for those living with HIV, and Nike football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention.  This unique partnership delivers programs that both medicate and educate.

Progress has been made in the drive to reduce HIV infections in Africa, with fourteen countries reporting a decline in the prevalence of the disease. This is great news and proves the fight can be won. But AIDS remains one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. An estimated 3,800 men, women and children die in sub-Saharan Africa every day, in addition to 6,000 new infections every day among 15-24 year old men and women.

‘The (RED) Nike laces can tie athletes around the world together with people living under threat from HIV in Africa in a beautiful way ,’ said Professor Michel D. Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. ‘Wearing these (RED) laces is a sign that you care about others and it helps us to protect and treat millions of people who every day risk infection or struggle with the effects of HIV.’"

We say: you should buy some. They're available from Nike retailers as of tomorrow (1st December).