Starbucks makes worst Marketing blunder of 2008!

13th Jul, 2008

Posted by: Matt Wilson
Comments

CNN Money.com names Starbucks as the year’s worst marketing blunder! 101 Dumbest Moments in Business

In August, Starbucks (SBUX) directs baristas in the southeastern United States to e-mail a coupon for a free iced coffee to friends and family members. But e-mail knows no geographic boundaries and, worse, can be printed repeatedly.

After the e-mail spreads to every corner of the country and is reproduced en masse, Starbucks yanks the offer, leading disgruntled customer Kelly Coakley to file a $114 million class-action lawsuit.

One venti, triple-shot, extra-hot lawsuit comin’ right up…

NOT THE TYPE OF VIRAL MARKETING YOU WANT FOR YOUR COMPANY!!!

LadyinRed

Starbucks had to do something or else they could have gone out of business, but my question is: how did that coupon get sent by email and made public?:)) Someone wanted Starbucks to fail. That is my opinion.
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Lemonade Diet

Yes that was a stupid thing for Starbuks to do.

Svetoslav

Ouuchh! Here, in Bulgaria we will have a Starbucks franchise very soon (in our capital city, Sofia). If a coupon reaches us they would be out of business for good! Every second person would be waiting in line.

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Starbucks makes worst Marketing blunder of 2008!

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