[talon88]

I think this is really cool, though the cynical part of me thinks that so will the social media strategists of quite a few celebrities out there, looking to promote things around Christmas...

[bdcravens]

Bill Gates has been aggressively giving for several years now, and he's quite consistent with his messaging regarding the need to give to and enable the quality of life in the third world. If anything, the strategy is to put a spotlight on those causes, rather than himself.

[commandar]

The fact that your parent poster is apparently unaware of the fact that the work done by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had a huge hand in eliminating polio in India would be a good example. The country just marked two years without a new reported case.

[talon88]

No, no — I think Bill Gates is absolutely genuine. I think those who may follow in his footsteps will be less so.

[d0m]

Maybe.. but Bill Gates..? He doesn't have to use social media strategies, he won the game already!

[loceng]

There is a lot of unimportant noise out there, and a lot of education and awareness holding needed to keep moving the world towards the better.. everything counts.

[tnkd]

If throughout the unwrapping of the gifts, there was a Microsoft Surface, then I'd agree with you but for the most part I believe this reads as genuine.

[goldenkey]

Microsoft was a means to a beginning for Gates. Some CEOs die with their product, not Gates.

[talon88]

I think I was misunderstood — he's very genuine, and has always been. The copycats, though, are more unlikely to be.

[meowface]

I think you get somewhat of a free pass if what you're promoting is purely a charity.