Cause-related rock impresario Bob Geldof made big news today with his announcement of “Live Eight,” an eight-city concert event featuring some of the biggest names in the music biz — from “Fitty” to Bono to Sir Elton. AOL will stream the live July 2 concert with hopes of reaching 1 billion people.

Did I mention the cause? Borrowing some brand equity from the “G8 Summit” in Scotland later that month, “Live 8″ hopes to push the issue of poverty in Africa to the top of the geo-political agenda. A million-person protest march is planned.

Having worked on Quincy Jones’s “We Are the Future” all-star concert in Rome a year or so ago, I can say that it takes an extra effort to cut through the celebrity clutter to make a meaningful statement about, and real contribution to the cause at hand.

“The Tribute To Heroes” concert in the days following 9/11 didn’t need much explanation. We all knew who was benefiting. But this is different. Mr. Geldof & company might put the issue front & center by filling the media pipeline with stark images and informed interviews detailing what’s really happening in Africa. The march will help (as long as it doesn’t turn into the anarchy of Seattle’s WTO meeting some years ago).

Maybe The Times’s Nick Kristof will lend a hand by recounting his harrowing tales from Darfur.

Finally, I wonder if 50cent would sit for a half-day of message training on Africa?

I was interested to read this morning that condom ads will bow on network television this evening — after 9pm, of course. This is a story that will certainly generate stiff opposition. It goes smack against the very vocal and politically influential pro-abstinence (and virulently anti-condom) crowd. It comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the ACLU against the Silver Ring Thing organization. Look for a number of politicians flexing their muscles on this one in the coming days.

I tried to relax this Memorial Day weekend since the weather in New York finally took a turn away from the dark side. (It’s OK for a blogger to take a a weekend reprieve from posting. Right?). I was tempted, however, when I saw the AP story on the Gold Star Mothers’ rejection for admittance into the organization of a mother whose son was killed in Afghanistan (fighting for the USA). The grieving Mom is not a U.S. citizen.

While I understand that the group has rules for inclusion, it was the insensitive quote from the organization’s president that spelled big PR trouble: “We can’t go changing the rules every time the wind blows.”

My vote: a Lead Star for the Gold Star Mothers.