While album becomes biggest preorder on iTunes

Jan 25, 2010 08:44 GMT  ·  By
Sacha Baron Cohen, Jennifer Aniston and John Cusack at the Hope for Haiti telethon
   Sacha Baron Cohen, Jennifer Aniston and John Cusack at the Hope for Haiti telethon

Showbiz A-listers, from actors to singers and television personalities, all joined forces in what is known as the biggest campaign of the kind to date, the Hope for Haiti telethon on Friday night. The event was aired on several US and international networks live, with a myriad of big artists performing while other stars picked up phone calls. As Variety informs, the telethon helped raise $57 million.

Not only have the stars managed to help raise a considerable sum that will be put to good use in Haiti in assisting earthquake victims, but more money will also be generated by the music album comprised especially on this occasion. The material wrote iTunes history on the day of the telethon, becoming the biggest one-day preorder ever on iTunes, which means that, beyond any doubt, the event was a major success, Variety further says.

“The money raised for the earthquake relief fund came in the first 24 hours after it aired live on more than 50 domestic networks and in 60 countries. It also does not include proceeds from online music downloads of the broadcast, which featured headline performances by Wyclef Jean, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and several others. ‘The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with “Hope for Haiti Now,”?’ said Lisa Paulsen, prexy and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which is ensuring proper fiduciary oversight and administration of all donated funds,” Variety writes.

“The ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ album became the No. 1 iTunes recording in 18 countries. The studio version of ‘Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour),’ the original track performed by Bono, the Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna during ‘Hope for Haiti Now,’ rose to become the No. 1 song on iTunes in 12 countries. CNN’s Anderson Cooper had by far the greatest presence on the show, appearing numerous times with live updates from Haiti,” the same publication further says.

The money made during the 2-hour telecast does not include separate donations made by celebrities. Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bono, Sandra Bullock and many others made considerable donations shortly after the earthquake. People are still encouraged to contribute with whatever they can: donations are still accepted at hopeforhaitinow.org, by phone, text message and mail, six months from now on.