Caribou takes a shot--not at Starbucks--at their customers!

Seems like everyone is "getting real" these days. First Wendy's (wtf? what's real about square hamburgers?) and now Caribou.

Mixing real chocolate into a coffee drink is a good selling point, but it probably gets lost here.

I'd be curious to see how long they can keep this gag going. Seems like they've already used up all the "real" jokes.

More Starbuckian rationale for Via.

Ya gotta wonder if they came up with these uses for Via before or after they created the product...

If we build it, will they come?

I've been riffing on Starbucks quite a bit lately (it seems like they're the only ones doing any kind of newspaper advertising these days).

Anyway, I'm not sure why people would want to buy an "instant" version of Starbucks coffee (and I still think it's a bad idea), but Starbucks is coming up with all sorts of reasons to justify their invention.

Here's the first in a series of ads. Perhaps they should do one for certain Northwest Airlines pilots...

Starbucks, please...

If you've run out of things to tell us about your coffee, perhaps you should just stop advertising.

Starbucks hopes for "good coffee karma" vs. McDonald's.

The recession makes companies do strange things.
First Harley wings a desperate Hail Mary ad (see April's posting), and now Starbucks is feeling the heat of an aggressive McDonald's and their McCafe offerings.

So, here's a full page ad from The Wall Street Journal where Starbucks reminds folks just why their coffee is a little more expensive.

It's a thoughtful, well-written piece, but there are two problems: one, Starbucks' core audience already knows the company's commitment to "fair trade" practices, health insurance, and cozy atmospheres. It could be a good reminder, but I think they're preaching to the choir.

Secondly, will anyone in Attention Deficit Disordered America take time to read all these words? I doubt it. Even with a good cup of joe in hand.

Finally, let me say that Starbucks gets a lot of grief in the media for selling a $4 cup of coffee to the public. But the truth is, if you just want coffee (not a cappuccino or such), you can get a big cup for under 2 bucks. And it's good, too.

Not a bad deal for saving the planet, promoting health care, and hearing good music...