Ethiopian defense: Starbucks flops on YouTube

Stephen … I appreciated the naked subtly of the Starbucks rebuttal video. If you remember, Starbucks took a lot of heat from bloggers and podcasters for their overly slick podcasts that came across as disingenuous and to jacked-up with platitudes and marketing rhetoric.

As I mentioned on my blog, I felt this was an impressive and intriguing marketing move from a $7B company. Now, I’m sure the Starbucks legal department strongly advised against posting the video rebuttal.

But I would hardly classify the less than two-minute video as boring. Had Starbucks simply issued a press release with finely-crafted quote from execs … then yeah … that’s boring.

Yeah know, I’m at a loss to name other companies the size of Starbucks that have been bold enough to release video statements telling their side of the story on YouTube. And, I’m not sure Starbucks would gain credibility by presenting the other side. The protestor video you liked better didn’t present the other side of the story. Hmm … maybe supporters of the Ethiopian Trademark issue should post a video response on YouTube.

My bad Stephen ... I didn't actually watch the video you linked to in the post. Its a video from those who support the Ethiopian Trademark issue. And its a very engaging video. I still stand my by earlier comments that I enjhoy the naked subtly of the SBUX video response.

John, It sounded like pure propaganda to me--even though it may be true.

apart from starbucks appalling behaviour regards ethiopian coffee producers (who should boycott the company), what starbucks does with some of the worlds finest arabica is criminal. their coffee is gnat's piss. even my sister in seattle agrees. the company & their served coffee are a crock of shite.