Posts Tagged ‘Starbucks’


Starbucks is brewing a new marketing plan with wine and beer offerings

June 28th, 2010 by chelsea

Starbucks is considering expanding its brand from fine-brewed coffee by adding a repertoire of sophisticated, locally sourced beverages.

One of the coffee chain’s undercover stores–15th Ave. Coffee and Tea–plans to add wine and beer from Pacific Northwest vineyards and local brewers this fall. These changes accompany the store’s renovations, which include an indoor-outdoor fireplace.

Coffee has always been the mainstay of the chain, but its latest offerings and marketing initiatives with breakfast sandwiches and, more recently, VIA have emphasized the fast-paced lifestyle. Fine wines and hand-crafted beers appear to re-emphasize the brand’s long-standing value of fine quality.


Next up: coffee and wine-tasting room?




Photo via http://www.seattlepi.com






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Starbucks connects with customers — wirelessly in marketing initiative

June 17th, 2010 by chelsea

It’s no secret that coffee shops love to offer free WiFi to keep their customers happy.

For years, Starbucks’ exclusive contract with AT&T solicited customer loyalty by locking visitors into weekly, monthly or year-long WiFi plans.

Now the coffee giant is opening up its wireless offerings with a new marketing plan — distinctive partnerships with media giants to provide value-add content beginning this fall.

It’s all on the Starbucks Digital Network. This gateway page seizes the opportunity to expand the Starbucks brand while also providing customers with free access to paid sites like the Wall Street Journal,  The New York Times, iTunes, For the next few months, customers will have to settle for the first two hours free through AT&T.

What better way to keep your customers tuned in with free downloads and targeted content?

Starbucks patrons, rejoice!


Photo via watblog.c


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Foursquare, Starbucks partner in location-based marketing

June 11th, 2010 by chelsea

At Starbucks, it pays to be Mayor — at least on Foursquare.

The budding location-based game is new fodder for corporate marketing strategies, with companies like Starbucks and Bravo TV delivering freebies for frequent visitors. And a lot is in it for them, too. Incentives for “checking-in” allow these companies to measure their popularity and learn about their customers with real-time data.

Starbucks is a prime example of how social gaming promotes loyalty. For mayors of Starbucks locations, the coffee conglomerate offers $1 off any Frappucino. Foursquare stands to gain a lot from working with Starbucks, as the company is one of the most widespread merchants.

It’s all fun and games–until someone overthrows your rule and snags your coupon.


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Seattle’s Starbucks to launch flavored ground coffee line

May 19th, 2010 by chelsea

Starbucks is saying forget the iced-venti-extra-caramel-caramel macchiato and go “back to the basics.”

The coffee giant is refreshing its flavor with “Starbucks Natural Fusion,” which is ground coffee spiced up with three different flavors: cinnamon, vanilla and caramel, according to an article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. The company aims to extend its value of fine coffee to the home with the new line, which is set to hit the shelves in June.

After the success of Via, the company’s instant brew brand, Starbucks is pulling back to the simplicity of coffee.

“We definitely feel like with the trust we’ve developed throughout the years and enhanced now by going into the instant category, we can continue to prove to our customers that Starbucks can deliver an amazing cup of coffee,” said the Seattle company’s chief marketing officer in the article.

Make room on the grocery store shelves for some flavorful brewed.

Photo via examiner.com

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Starbucks in disguise in Seattle

January 7th, 2010 by chelsea

You’d be mistaken to think you could get your iced venti, three pump vanilla, soy latte on the fly at Seattle’s 15th Avenue E Coffee and Tea Starbucks location.

That’s because this location is an undercover Starbucks moving away from the corporate stigma of high-priced, fast coffee and focusing on savoring the flavor of fresh-roasted beans, according to an article from CNN. Here you won’t see the green smocks or hear the clumsy squeal of the espresso machine — just the caramel-colored espresso filling shot glasses and the low hum of the steam wand.

This decadent cafe experience hails from the Starbucks of the 1990s — when the company founded its image on serving premium coffee rather than a quick caffeine fix, said Seattle-based blogger Melody Overton in the article.

After the 2009 economic downturn, Starbucks embarked on an experimental re-branding concept with  “stealth” stores like this location. “It’s rooted at the very core of Starbucks, we are an innovative company,” Arthur Rubinfeld, Starbucks president of global development, said. “We must continue to be that, and stay relevant as we continue to move forward and grow.”

The only indication the 15th Avenue E. location is connected to the coffee giant is its hardly visible “inspired by Starbucks” door sticker. And customers like it.

Out with the old, in with the new.


Photo via vidafine.com


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