Starbucks, MSNBC Brew Up Sponsorship Deal

Brandweek.com ^ | June 1, 2009 | Anthony Crupi, Mediaweek

[Psycho_Bunny]

MSNBC has brewed up a sponsorship deal with Starbucks that positions the coffee chain as the title sponsor of the daily news program Morning Joe.

Per terms of the agreement, the Starbucks brand will be visible at various points in MSNBC’s weekday 6 a.m.-9 a.m. news show, via graphic elements like billboards and banners and on-set placement. The latter portion of the deal is nothing new; co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are often seen drinking out of Starbucks cups, so much so that many viewers already assumed that MSNBC was compensated for the integration.

Appearing on this morning’s.........

[Psycho_Bunny]

It just so happened that I was standing in the Seattle 6th and Union Starbucks when they first tested this idea a few weeks ago. They have embedded a TV in the menu board of the back wall so you HAVE to watch MSNBC when standing and waiting in line.

Next to me were around 8 Starbucks Suits looking all happy with themselves….I turned to them and said “THAT is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen” and then turned back to the cashier and said, “This is my last cup of coffee from here so, make it good.” It actually shut everyone up….lol

I used to go into that store 2-3 times a day, often taking my employees and buying them coffee…and I used to buy a couple pounds of Sumatra every few weeks… but, I haven’t set foot in the store since. Starbucks is dead to me: IF YOUR BUSINESS ISN’T POLITICS, KEEP POLITICS OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS.

[mewzilla]

Dunkin Donuts, here I come :)

BTW....

Dunkin' Brands, Inc. supports the brave men and women of the United States military.

[mockingbyrd]

Oh I love my Starbucks, but this will be the end for me.

[2banana]

Another reason I will never buy another Starbucks cup of coffee...

[the invisib1e hand]

“THAT is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen”

Nice. Sounds like something I'd have said.

I can't stand sbux. However, I have seen that they attract a lot of hipsters and nobody's easier to market to than they are.

Well, OK, I downloaded a free song during a promo, but only because I know a guitarist for the band and wanted to try out the song. A case in point, I suppose: they have a very effective marketing mechanism.

Of course, all those self-satisfied suits will f))k it up and drive it into the ground and before long it'll look like some kind of 21st century Denny's.

[mewzilla]

SCHULTZ, HOWARD
SEATTLE, WA 98198
STARBUCKS COFFEE

OBAMA, BARACK
VIA OBAMA FOR AMERICA
06/30/2007 2300.00 27990401021

SCHULTZ, HOWARD D
SEATTLE, WA 98124

CLINTON, HILLARY RODHAM
VIA HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT
10/31/2007 2300.00 28930340179

[randog]

I gave up on Starbucks (or did they give up on me...?) last month and I've never been happier. It was over the decaf thing. It still perplexes me how a coffee house that can gin up something called a skinny mocha latte with sprinkles can't grasp the idea of a cup of black decaf. When the gal behind the counter said, "no, we have no decaf--would you like me to brew some?" I told her, "no, it looks like coffee is out of your realm of expertise" and walked out, drove to Wal*Mart, bought a $15 Mr. Coffee, enough filters to last a year and a couple of bags of 8 o'clock decaf. My morning blood pressure has never been better.

I recently heard that the Starbucks employees get offended when you order S/M/L. Maybe that's why they shined attitude on me--I called them "coffee makers" (I think the term they like is "barista") and ordered a medium instead of a "grande" (or is it "tall"....who the hell knows).

[bcsco]

Starbucks has been tied to the left. I refused some time ago to ever visit one again. I now go to Caribou, but am not sure about their leanings. Once I hear, my patronizing them may be discontinued as well. At least I’m not aware of their publicizing their political preferences...

[McGruff]

The Mourning Joe crew has been predominately displaying their Starbuck’s coffees for months now. The Metrosexual Blend I believe.

[Sister_T]

I don’t drink Starbucks coffee anyway. To me, it is overrated and costs too much.

[cartervt2k]

This alliance actually makes a lot of sense to me: one floundering company whose business is bastardizing news teaming up with another floundering company whose business is selling overpriced coffee. Good news to the latte liberals - no more hurrying home to see see Bathtub Boy’s nightly tirade. (Apologies to all you now former Starbucks drinkers.)

[mrmeyer]

I drink Dunkin Coffee myself. Never cared for Starbucks, always gave me a headache, wouldn’t buy it if didn’t bc of their politics. Quik Chek coffee isn’t bad either.

[Red in Blue PA]

Note to self: No more starbucks.

[longtermmemmory]

MSNBC is pushing starbucks. (seriously doesn’t anyone get the fact the coffee is burned not dark roast?)

CNBC is pushing McCafe

I am drinking Dunkin Donuts Coffee.

[excalibur1701]

Actually, the Joe Morning show is fun to watch. Whenever someone says something that is a complete liberal lie, Joe will jump in their face till he gets a retraction.

Did anyone happen to see his “tirade” this morning? Good stuff and it put Micah in her place.

[Recon Dad]

You might be the only person on this post who has actually watched “Morning Joe”.

It doesn't sound like Starbucks did much research on ratings.