Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Chicago Tribune - October 12, 2006
Tribune staff report
By 9:30 a.m., when the celebrities were supposed to make their appearance and do a little shopping at the Gap, one of the corporate sponsors of Bono's effort, more than a hundred fans were waiting on either side of a red carpet rolled out at Ohio Street. Dozens more stood in the Michigan Avenue median, some clambering up on concrete planters for a better view.
Finally, shortly after 11 a.m., the two stars rolled up in a red sports car.
Known as Product Red, the rocker's creative corporate partnership is expanding to include Schaumburg-based Motorola, the Gap, Armani and the Converse athletic shoe company. It will feature products and full clothing lines whose purchase will assist African AIDS relief.
The Gap's flagship store on Michigan Avenue today was decked out in red signage advertising its clothing line with words such as "Inspi(red)" and "Empowe(red)."
Extra police were on hand trying to keep the crowd from spilling onto the street.
Temperatures in the 30s and wind-driven show showers did not put a damper on most fans' enthusiasm, and the crowd grew even though more than an hour went by with Oprah and Bono nowhere to be seen.
Sara Brackett, 25, said she did not mind waiting in the cold as long as she got a glimpse of two of her favorite stars.
"Who cares about the snow?" said Brackett, who is visiting Chicago from St. Louis. "It's Oprah and Bono!"
Steve Howell, of Chicago, said he was just walking by when he saw the crowds and checked out what was happening.
When he learned who was appearing, he called several friends at work and said he would be snapping photos of the celebs on his cellphone camera.
"I told them I'd post them online," Howell said. He said he was big U2 fan, but was more eager to see if Rolling Stones leader Mick Jagger joined in the event, as had been rumored.
The event marks the unveiling of the Product Red lines in America, which had previously been available only in the United Kingdom. The items will be available throughout the U.S.
Other celebrities are in Chicago to help with the promotion.
"I'm very happy to be here for that because I think that's something that's going to help in a tremendous way," Penelope Cruz said Wednesday afternoon at her Chicago hotel.
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