Pumpkin Mania

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These days the approach of fall is marked by the appearance of various pumpkin infused food and drink.  The USA Today talks about this craze and specifically “Pumpkinox” in this article.  Pumpkinox refers to the day on which Starbucks brings back their popular Pumpkin Spice Latte.  In an effort to beat Starbucks to market, Dunkin’ Donuts and others started offering their pumpkin-flavored treats one day earlier.

In Chapters 3 and 5 of Essentials of Marketing we talk about the impact social cultural trends and influences have on marketing.   In this case, Starbucks actually created a trend which is now shaping our beverage-drinking culture!

“Instant Starbucks – What the Drinkers Say”

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“Instant Starbucks – What the Drinkers Say,” (1:42) The Wall Street Journal, September 29, 2009.  This particular video at the Wall Street Journal website asks coffee drinkers to sample the new Starbucks instant coffee.  This was a pretty hot topic for a week or so and you could certainly go to Google news to find an article with more background.  This video can motivate a discussion of the new product and its implications for the Starbucks brand and sales.