Tag Archives: Starbucks

Starbucks Keeps It Simple

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Mitch Devine| 2 Comments

Starbucks hops on the "simple" bandwagon with "real food." Were they faking it before?

Simply coincidence?

Less than a week after writing about how Simple-Minded Marketing Works, I stopped in at a Starbucks and couldn’t help noticing the screaming all-caps headline on a previously blank napkin.

The coffeehouse that recently brought you free wi-fi, but selectively discourages loitering (not every store has a sign posted), has hopped on the simplified ingredients bandwagon. Now Starbucks is offering “real food” that’s “simply delicious.” This raises some questions: Was it all artificial and fake before? Continue reading →

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Posted in Advertising - General, food, Marketing

Tagged ads, advertising, Innova Market Insights, loitering, marketing, simple, Starbucks

Of Loitering and Lifesaving at Starbucks

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Mitch Devine| 2 Comments

Starbucks sez "No Loitering" ... without a tall latte.

A “No Loitering” sign at Starbucks?

Oh, the irony! What are all those comfy couches for anyway, if not an enticement to stay a while?

Although it was amusing, the sign was a bit of a buzz kill. It seemed to water down the chain’s carefully cultivated homey and inviting image. Not that anyone paid attention to it. (Except Yours Truly: I was loitering, waiting for a ride after dropping off my car for service.)

There’s a fine line between lounging and loitering. Obviously you can cross it by not patronizing the place with a purchase. But once you’ve bought your beverage, how else can you cross the line? Continue reading →

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Posted in Advertising - General, Career, Signage

Tagged advertising, career, How Starbucks Saved My Life, J. Walter Thompson, loitering, Michael Gates Gill, signage, signs, Starbucks, transition, weirdies