The Archives

• 05.01.08
  Unused Gift Cards Should Go to Charity
  CSR

  I just used a Starbucks gift card I had been given. I got it back from the Barista with $.90 remaining. Likewise I have a gift card from Best Buy with $4 remaining on it. I’d like to see a more charitable way of dealing with ‘left-over’ gift cards. If you have less than $10 left stores should ban together and offer to split the difference; give me the option on the spot to have 50% or more be donated to a worthwhile charity like the One Campaign.
  
  
• 03.24.08
  The Resurrection of Starbucks
  Brands and Marketing

    It’s been a while since I wrote about brand reputation optimization, a term I coined last year. However, Starbucks has recently been facing a storm of controversy and I believe how it is handling the adversity is well worth paying attention to. Not too long ago as I sat in a Starbucks already annoyed at having to pay $9.95 for wifi, a barista awkwardly approached me – clearly something was up. “Sir, all Starbucks will be closing early tonight. We are having a major training session among all locations worldwide.” The events of that ‘training session’ have been chronicled on many blogs. While ...
  
  
• 01.21.08
  Business Idea: Subscribe to Tagged Magazine Articles
  Business Models

  Darren Herman has a nice post asking someone to help him start a new website featuring RSS headlines tailored to individual subscribers. Darren’s post reminded me of an idea I had last week... One industry that clearly falls under the long tail effect is the magazine industry. While many magazines make some of their content free available online, for the most part I have stopped subscribing to print magazines because there are few I read cover to cover. Nevertheless, magazines are still proliferating and some B-list mags, like blogs, occasionally have great articles I would love to read. ...
  
  
• 01.07.08
  Protected: How SBUX Saved a Deal
  /Anecdotes Enter your password to view comments

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• 11.12.07
  Why Strong Brands Matter: SBUX
  Brands and Marketing

  Starbucks (SBUX) is near all-time lows. ~50% off its all time high. What’s up? With Wall Street freaking out over a looming recession, the ‘smart’ people think that the first thing impacted is discretionary spending, i.e. items like expensive coffee. This may be true, but something else more significant is going on. McDonalds is launching a new line of premium coffees that beat Strabucks' in taste tests -- and McD's is starting to offer FREE wifi. This matters because the analysts worry that if McDonalds has “as good” coffee and offers free wifi, then people will opt for ...
  
  
• 12.10.06
  Marketing, Rain Makers & Reindeer. Starbucks Does Holidays Right.
  Brands and Marketing

  As I arrived at class the other day I heard from a classmate about an interesting marketing ploy. Starbucks in Washington, DC is apparently paying an individual to drive around with a latte on the roof of his car (undoubtedly permanently affixed). As he drives around Dupont Circle, na??ve pedestrians and other drivers yell at him, ’Mr., you have a coffee on your hood!’ The jolly driver emphatically responds with a big smile, ’Yes, I know! Happy Holidays from Starbucks!’ Here is a photo of the same ploy used in San Francisco: Hmmm cool idea, but I’m not sure about the ROI. Although, the ROMA ...
  
  

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