This morning Starbucks had their "venti" announcement, and I don't know about you guys, but I was a bit bored underwhelmed. I know they're trying everything they can think of to turn things back around, but a huge cryptic press release for 30 minutes of free coffee? That's right from 9-9:30 a.m. PDT (12-12:30 p.m. EDT) they were giving out free samples of their new Pike Place Roast. It's their new everyday coffee and is — according to several folks who tried it — smoother and less burnt tasting than normal. If you missed out there will be sampling vans roaming the country over the next few months, alternatively, you could just go in and try it for yourself.
In addition to their new blend, there were actually a few more notable changes. Most significantly is the logo. The green encircled two-tailed mermaid — OK, how come I never noticed it was a two-tailed mermaid? — has been replaced with the old-school two-tailed mermaid logo — which I might add, has way more boobage going on — and the words "Fresh Roasted" also appear.
They have also finally added some perks for folks with a Starbucks Card. If you have a prepaid Starbucks card you should be able to get syrup and milk options for free, free refills of brewed coffee, and a complimentary tall beverage when you purchase whole beans. It's not a full rewards program, but it is more than you got before.
So tell me, do you think these changes are going to help Starbucks out? Or are you just sick of hearing about all the changes?
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Scholl
Chantelle
I'm not the biggest fan of coffee in the first place, but when i do get coffee i almost never go to starbucks. Mainly because there coffee tastes burnt and is way to... trendy for me. I'll hit up a dunkin doughnuts any day of the week. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it's too little too late. Too many good independents out there now.
1Ewwwww! The logo looks ugly now! I've also never noticed the mermaid has 2 tails. hahah!
2no need to change the logo for new coffee blend.
3A. I never noticed the mermaid either
B. That logo is ugly
c. I realize it's coffee, but all brown? Bring back the green!
I actually find the new logo really repulsive. It doesn't have the same clean, sleek feel the old one did. I don't think rustic is what they should be associating themselves with.
I will probably get a Starbucks card for the free milk options though...
4if it truly tastes less "burnt" than maybe I'll try it. That's my major bone to pick with starbucks coffee. blech.
5I still go to Starbucks about 3 times a week. Pretty much because they are on every street corner and I got my order down to a science so it takes no time. I'll probably keep going there until they close the joint, just because I'm to lazy to try anywhere else.
6I noticed the 2-tailed mermaid began reappearing on packaging for the Starbuck's Anniversary blend last spring, but she was a sexier version of the old two-tailed mermaid. But until that point, I hadn't noticed that the green logo had a 2-tailed mermaid.
7That new logo is pretty repulsive. If they did get rid of the burnt taste of their coffee, I'm willing to give it a try, but I've just never been that into Starbucks. I'd rather import the amazing east coast coffee blends of Wawa and Dunkin Donuts.
8They've definitely covered up some boobage there. Check out the original logo:
http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/sbux_logo_pre_1987_...
9I don't like the new logo. It is creepy.
10Did the prices change? No?
11Then I will continue to make my coffee at home for a lot less.
hmmm... i was there this morning with my prepaid card and got no free "upgrades" of any kind. i am always charged extra for soy milk!
and also... i do not like the new logo- i thought that maybe it was for a limited time, like the holiday cups?!?
12is the logo change permanent? because I hate it.
13That announcement was lame. Who on the east coast is hanging around a Starbucks at 12:00 p.m.?
I prefer to get my plain coffee from Peets, but I still like Starbuck's grande two-pump nonfat no-whip mochas.
14How does that even work? Do they credit your card for adding a syrup or milk choice?
15Oh the Jamba Juice give away was THE BOMB! I knew the Starbucks deal would be lacking.
I hit up two different Jambas and got free Chunky Strawberry (a weird combo of strawberries, bananas, peanut butter, granola, and nonfat yogurt mixed in a blender- sounds nasty but it's GOOD) thingys. One's chillin' in the fridge. I love free stuff when it's good.
16For the logo, I think they will change it permanently once the old logo plastic cups has been use but for the logo at the shop's sign, it will remain the same...
17Not a fan of SB. Locals much better and nicer.
18Not a fan of the new logo.
19i definately like the old logo better.
20I went, and the coffee wass GOOD! wackdoodkle--i really wanna try that smoothie!
21the new logo is a little creepy, i think, but I like these rewards. i use a starbucks card all of the time!
22Who cares? Their coffee is BAD.
23Ok, I agree that "venti" announcement was a bit of a let down. I'm not a fan of their brewed coffee anyway, so I didn't waste my break-time on a trip to SB's. The perks for the Starbuck's card are pretty cool though.
24As a Seattlite who remembers times before they went national, I quite like the logo. But...I broke up with them a while back (http://teamsugar.com/user/kiddylnd/blog/1065995) and this isn't really gonna sway me to come back any time soon. They need to make some SERIOUS changes before I go back there.
25I prefer the green logo.
26I will stick with my Stumptown Roasters!
27As a former starbucks employee, I can tell you that the reason the 'mermaid' has two tails is because it is actually a Siren (you know, the thing that Odysseus wanted to listen to but it's singing would control you and make you steer your ship into a whirpool or something like that)!!!
I'm just full of useful information. Also, on one of the starbucks coffee lables (maybe decaf house? i don't remember) you can see the Siren's breasts too, it was the original logo but then I guess it was too scandalous at the time.
28As a former starbucks employee, I can tell you that the reason the 'mermaid' has two tails is because it is actually a Siren (you know, the thing that Odysseus wanted to listen to but its singing would control you and make you steer your ship into a whirpool or something like that)!!!
I'm just full of useful information. Also, on one of the starbucks coffee lables (maybe decaf house? i don't remember) you can see the Siren's breasts too, it was the original logo but then I guess it was too scandalous at the time.
29I've never really grooved on Starbucks mud. I like things a little bit more mild. I usually just make my own, or if I REALLY need a coffee pick-me-up while I'm on the go, I just scream through a McDonald's drive-thru. MUCH cheaper, to!
30They charge you for milk? Can someone please explain
31also, since everything is "going green" i'm actucally surprised that they'd change the color to brown. just a thought.
32I'm a Starbucks fan, but I guess they figured they could slightly narrow their cups and no one would notice. Check them out. The cups aren't as wide and slightly less tall. You can feel the difference in your hand.
33All the changes are just plain stupid, and a useless marketing ploy. I go to Starbucks, but to be honest, I frequent another coffee house more. The new logo does nothing for me.
34When I saw the new logo I just started to laugh. It just looked wrong. I don't know.
35The easiest way for them to get more business is to lower their prices. Starbucks is the first thing to go when we are trying to save money. It is just too easy to make it at home or find cheaper alternatives.
36Wow whoopdeedoo
37Mostly, I get either iced coffee or lattes so I never notice the burnt taste. But I don't like the new logo. Or the colors.
38No green? How will we know all the celebs are drinking it?
39rb24 - They charge you for milk options. There is a standard kind of milk they use (I don't know what it is) and if you deviate from it you pay. Like I get a Chai Latte with Soy, so I pay for the latte, then they add like 45 cents extra for the soy.
Does that make sense?
40I work for Starbucks. We always gave away a tall coffee with bean purchases, the new logo is to to represent our first store, at Pike Place, in Seattle, WA....
The new logo is just representing our original company's tradition and representation.
Espresso drinks always taste the same. Instead of brewing our reg coffee for 1 hour only, its only 30 mins, freshly ground and scooped when you want it, instead of us grinding it in the morning.
Its trying to get the company back to its original ideas, and thats making fresh brewed coffee, that we grow all around the world, not in a factory like Dunkin. Its more expensive because of where we grow the beans, package, etc. We pay workers in countries more than average.
41I like the new logo, it has more personality.
42nooooo! i like the old logo better.
43I don't like the new logo...bring the green one back!
44I think the new logo is awesome. Seriously, the old one!? Really?
45Yawn! The syrup and milk options for free and free refills of brewed coffee is exciting, but by no means "venti." Thanks for keeping me in the loop Yum!
46The syrup and milk options for free and free refills of brewed coffee is exciting
47I love the new logo-- which is actually an older logo. It doesn't have two tails because it's a Siren (even though it's true that Starbucks considers her a siren and not a mermaid). The drawing is probably taken from pictures of Melusine, a mythical woman who was often drawn with two tails.
Anyway I wonder if people who find the new logo "repulsive" are truly bothered by the fact that our new/old siren is, shall we say, fleshy? Less streamlined? She's a woman with curves folks. Love it!
48I can't help it - I'm a Starbucks addict. I go everyday and no doubt will keep going no matter what logos or free pushes come and go. It probably helps that I don't actually drink coffee (because people don't seem to like it much!) but prefer their teas...their shaken Iced Tea Lemonade? Nummy.
49I don't like the new logo at all, and the brown is just a boring color.
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