A simple red cup, a seemingly appropriate design for the holiday season. You couldn't be more wrong. We have all heard of Starbucks, an important part of American culture best known for its pumpkin spice lattes. The design on their new Starbucks cup is brewing controversy. This design has managed to offend some Christians by failing to include holiday messages or symbols.The outrage was unexpected. This controversy caused by Starbucks’ apparently bold move by may have actually been blown out of proportion. Are a majority of Christians really offended by this simple scarlet cup?
This "vast majority" of Christians believe that Starbucks is somehow trying to send the message that they are “anti-Christian." But the majority we have imagined may
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Those major news networks, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, all reported regarding this issue. Newspapers like the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and USA Today all wrote extensive articles. USA Today wrote an article titled, #ItsJustACup mocks Starbucks' red cup controversy, focused toward the idea of this issue not being an actual issue. Hashtags displayed their importance once again. The hashtag, #ItsJustACup, was created to combat the movement ignited by #redcup. In the article, #ItsJustACup mocks Starbucks' red cup controversy, the author mentioned a very important point. The author, Mary Bowerman, wrote, “In response to the continuing debate over the cup, many are using the hashtag #ItsJustACup to point out there are many bigger issues people should be focusing on.” Bowerman then provided examples throughout out her article. One example, a tweet from Scott Matteson, simply said, “First world problems ensure that there are plenty of people just sitting around waiting to get offended over nothing.” Countless shared that opinion. A controversy such as this one is always subject to humiliation on late night comedy shows. On the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert commented, "Now Starbucks is completely devoid of any trace of the holiday besides the Christmas tree ornaments, advent calendar, CDs of Christmas music, …show more content…
Josh Feuerstein, the man who brought this to the attention of the nation, pushed for a fight against Starbucks. He simply posted a video calling for some “revolt” against Starbucks for the world to see. It was seen, reposted, liked, and commented on, and thus an entire movement was ignited. We live in a time where we can post our feelings and opinions openly and start a discussion. This "controversy" was somewhat ridiculous, but it started a discussion. And no, most people are not offended by the cup. The cup has been doing good. People even think that the cup is symbolizing that Starbucks isn't just for Christians, but for everyone. Those who don't celebrate Christmas should have just as much of a right to get their pumpkin spice lattes. After all, this is America, a place where everyone is
Immediately following this summarization, she jumps right into her accusatory tone, using the terms “soft outrage” and “hashtag activism” to explain what celebrities are doing by posting about these events on their various social media sites. Cupp coins the term early on in her article, retorting “… one only needs to look back at some recent examples of other horrifying atrocities to know that mere symbolism and solidarity -- what I call the weapons of "soft outrage" -- will not be enough to stamp out terrorism in Europe or anywhere else (par. 7). Later, she adds another made-up term into reader’s vocabulary, “hashtag activism.” She defines this by commenting “even though [#BringBackOurGirls] went viral… hashtag activism hasn 't proven very effective in the face of violent Islamic extremism” (Cupp, par.
Advertisements stand as a method of persuasion in order to sell a product. Starbucks, a high-quality coffee café was originally founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington as a coffee bean and ground retailer fine restaurants. The name, inspired by a character in the book Moby Dick, captures the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition and history of early coffee traders. By 1986, Starbucks had become a popular coffeehouse chain inspired by the romance of espresso bars in Milan, Italy. Starbucks claims their goal is to create a connection with the consumer. Starbuck’s advertisements engage and spark your emotions visually which in-turn evokes desires. In this advertisement from Starbucks, we see the coffee chain is promoting their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The perspective of the Starbucks ad is important because it allows the viewers’ eyes to be drawn to the product. The coffee cup is centered on the right side of the page, and is also level with the camera. It is large and takes up one half of the image. This perspective is what makes the cup look bigger than it really is. In other words, the coffee cup is bigger to draw our attention on the Starbucks Coffee label, which sticks out from the cup. Starbucks is trying to sell to those who love relaxing mornings in the city. Most of these
CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, originally had the idea that Starbucks would have the community/traditional feel in their stores, and still serve high-quality coffee (“Our Heritage” 1). Adding an Italian vibe to the coffee shops, keeping its traditional logo, which is based on a mythical creature, and advertising some of its products in a more “traditional” style accomplished the first goal. For an example, Starbucks recently created a commercial about their Refreshers, which was about cooling someone down in the summer time, with the scenery of Tuscany in the background. Serving high-quality coffee was obtained by ordering coffee beans from where they naturally grow and giving it a perfect roast to give to a customer. It was a marketing strategy that helped Starbucks grow and transform its commodity chain to support gathering more raw materials for a cheaper and more efficient way.
The popular coffee company known as Starbucks chooses to allow their customers to enter and order from their restaurants with open carried firearms. This has caused an uproar of protest from gun control enthusiasts and counter protesters supporting the open carry of firearms.
Visit Starbucks.com and you enter a virtual world of delight. Consumers can “sample” over 30 blends of coffee; find Starbucks coffeehouse locations, or learn about Starbucks Hear Music®, where customers can “burn personalized CDs, use listening stations to explore musical recommendations, enjoy a handcrafted Starbucks® beverage, or surf the web at (a) T-Mobile Wi-Fi enabled coffee bar” (Starbucks, 2008). Starbucks uses their website to communicate with their consumers about their company’s mission, social responsibility, business ethnic and compliance, diversity relations and press releases. Consumers can even read about the latest “rumor responses” that Starbucks wants to clarify about misinformation regarding the company. From the “click” of a button you can shop for Starbucks merchandise or check the balance on your Starbucks Card, the Starbucks website has got their customers needs in mind.
170-172). I think that if they want to avoid the potential political risk they should pull the stores out. This could end as bad publicity for Starbucks. History tells us that the bad news is what we hear more often than the good. I don’t think that this issue will cause any Political Uncertainty. I do, on the other hand, for see there being potential for Policy Uncertainty. I can see the locals taking the initiative to get laws adjusted to protect the areas that are sacred and make it to where only locals can run local businesses on the premises. This would have a direct impact on Starbucks. I think that in order for them to protect their reputation they can take the store out before it even gets to that point. I do not see it being worth the fight when they have so many stores over there that are profitable. They can put the Starbucks close to the area and still get the same
The threats facing Starbucks include trademark infringements and increased competition from local cafes and specialization of other coffeehouse chains, and the saturation of the markets in developed economies, and supply disruptions. Furthermore, the increasing prices of its inputs such as dairy products and coffee beans pose a threat
According to Evan Asano part of the rise in hashtag activism could be attributed to the new president who may be a catalyst for “driving political discussions, further fueling activism and spurring mainstream awareness” (Buxton:2017). Evidently, four out of the six hashtags mentioned above are directed towards the President “because few movements have affected as many people simultaneously as Trump's agenda” (Wenzke:2017). Another example of hashtag activism that captured the attention of the media and the world is that of #BlackLivesMatter. In 2013, Alicia Garza launched this hashtag to call an end to police brutality and the killings of African-Americans. According Garza (2014), “it was a response to the anti-Black racism that permeates society and also, unfortunately, our
When Starbucks started their target market were people who enjoyed coffee not just for the energy boost that they got from the caffeine, but people who enjoyed sitting down and drinking a well-prepared cup of coffee. Upon visiting Italy and falling in love with the coffee bars and the experience that they offered, Schultz envisioned a place between home and work where you could just sit and enjoy your coffee. Starbucks wanted to control their coffee from “raw green bean to the steaming cup” this meant that they had to talk with their farmers to make sure the quality was up to their standards. They
Starbucks is currently the industry leader in specialty coffee. They purchased more high quality coffee beans than anyone else in the world and keep in good standings with the producers to ensure they get the best beans. Getting the best beans is only the first part, Starbucks also has a “closed loop system” that protects the beans from oxygen immediately after roasting to the time of packaging. They did this through their invention of a one-way valve which let the natural gasses escape but keeping oxygen out. This gave them the unique ability to ensure freshness and extended the shelf life to 26 weeks. Starbucks isn’t only about the coffee, it’s also about a place where people can escape to enjoy music, reflect, read, or just chat. It is a total coffee experience. The retail outlet has been responsible for much of Starbucks growth and has contributed substantially to their brand equity.
Business was good, but it was not without its problems. There was the political upheaval in the Middle East, followed by further tension after then CEO Howard Schultz commented on growing anti-Semitism in the region. Their integrity came under fire when certain Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) accused them of purchasing coffee beans under questionable social and economic conditions. These situations, together with difficult economic times globally, meant that Starbucks was likely going to take a hit somewhere. Eventually, they shut down their Israeli operations altogether.
Starbucks Corporation. (2006, February 8). Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders Starts over a Cup of Coffee; Company's Impact Now Extends Well Beyond Stores' Four Walls. [Financial release]. Retrieved from http://investor.starbucks.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=99518&p=irol-newsArticle_pf&ID=814454&highlight=
Starbucks is a worldwide company, known for is delicious brews of coffee and seasonal varieties of tasty drinks for any occasion. Starbucks opened with two main goals, sharing great coffee with friends and to help make the world a little better. It originated in the historic Pike Place Market of Seattle, Washington in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker. The creation of Starbucks’ name came from the seafaring tradition of early coffee traders and the romance evoked from Moby Dick. At the time, this individual shop specialized in the towering quality of coffee over competitors and other brewing services enabling its growth to becoming the largest coffee chain in Washington with numerous locations. In the early 1980s, the current CEO Schultz saw an opportunity for growth in the niche market. After a trip to Italy he brought back the idea of a café style environment of leisure and social meetings to the United States we now see in Starbucks locations today. Schultz ultimately left Starbucks to open his own coffee shop, Il Giornale which turned out to be a tremendous success. Fast forward a year later, Schultz got wind that Starbucks was going to sell all their components of Starbucks including their stores and factories, he immediately acquired the funds to buy Starbucks and linked both operations. Within five years he was able to open more than 125 stores starting in New England, Boston, Chicago, and gradually entered California. He wanted Starbucks to be a franchise system based on the mission of telling the truth and emphasize the quality,
Starbucks is an international coffee house and it was created in 1971 when they opened the first store in Seattle, Newcastle. Currently, they own 21,000 stores in 65 different countries of the world, and their passion for the great coffee, excellent service and community interaction exceeds cultures and languages (Starbucks, 2014). This company is the number 1 brand coffeehouse chain in the world due to the best roaster, marketer and seller of speciality coffee. Its main slogan: “Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time” (Jurevicius, 2013).