A new advertisement for Starbucks coffee's latest instant brew is stirring anger among right-wing media watchers for it's rather tame spoof of the loudmouth town hall attendees who became a hallmark of American media over the summer.
The ad, which promotes the coffee giant's new "Via" instant beverage, shows an "actual portrayal" of a town hall. A narrator says: "People who yell at town hall meetings can't taste the difference."
Among a crowd of seated people, one man stands and shouts, "I can't taste the difference!" Another stands and adds: "I can't either!"
The narrator concludes: "Can you?"
Because of this allegedly offensive display, the Sean Hannity Web forums are aflame, with a thread 16 pages and growing.
Of course, few dare defend the displays of racial hatred, Nazi imagery and mob intimidation tactics that seemed to saturate media over the last several months. ... All of which is apparently more offensive to some than the actual events being sort-of mocked.
Even though such acidic behavior reflects upon a relatively small number of the health reform protesters, the coffee chain's ad hardly broaches the topic. (Although, under the title "Via teaser spot" on the Starbucks YouTube page, it would be easy to assume there's more coming soon.)
Sadly, it may only be a matter of time until someone walks into a Starbucks and shouts, "You lie!"
-- Stephen C. Webster
This video was posted to YouTube by Starbucks on Sept. 27, 2009.
Man, these people need a life.
I took their taste test this morning and got it wrong. BUT, they gave me a small cup of brewed Columbian and a cup of VIA instant Pike Place. Those have distinctly different flavors. Even the young woman giving the test though they should have been both Columbian. The manager gave me a sample the other day of the Columbian and I could slightly tell it was an instant. As an instant it's not bad but a tad expensive. I also buy their espresso pods which are less expensive per pod than the VIA packets at 3 for $2.95. The espresso pods are more like 60 cents each.
The few times I've seen the add in the last two days, the town hall part always makes me chuckle. Still won't go to a Starbucks, but the ad is funny.
who is sean hannity
Starbucks serves up Politics
Starbucks
2401 Utah Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134
9/18/09
Mr. Howard Schultz,
A few months ago I sent the letter below, stating my concerns about Starbucks’ support for Morning Joe. Since it was ignored, I feel I must take my complaint to the next level.
I plan to take my letter to the public forum and request that patrons boycott Starbucks stores until the support for Morning Joe stops. I will also be sending a copy of this letter and a list of videos about Morning Joe to every unions’ web site across the nation asking for their help in boycotting the Starbucks brand and asking their members to help in this matter.
You have chosen to support Joe Scarborough, who has about 300,000 viewers a day. If your goal is to pickup new customers, other shows have viewers over one million a day, so that would seem to be a logical place to spend support monies.
What qualities does Joe Scarborough possess that would make Starbucks want to support him other than his politics? I have not seen any disclaimer posted before or after the show stating this is not the view of Starbucks. So I’m assuming that Starbucks approves everything he says. Or did I miss the fine print?
MSNBC & Starbucks hawked Joe’s book for six months and has only sold 7,000 copies and sits some where around 400 on the best sellers list. He hasn’t been able to sell his book to his base viewers.
In the end, I’m sure research will show that this didn’t help Starbucks and maybe will show a decline in your business. The main problem is that some people never return to a brand.
All I wanted was a cup of coffee and yes I noticed product placement and thought that Starbucks was furnishing coffee to Joe. When Starbucks announced their support that changed my mind about SB. The decision that politics was in their best interest and Joe would be their messenger was one huge mistake in my thinking.
Joe’s stated views on torture go against US and international law, yet he uses this venue to spout his opinions, without real debate. This show is touted as a news/political broadcast, yet the moderator takes it upon himself to interpret the news to his liking our laws and international law, I have no degree in law but I think novice can understand this issue. I can no longer support Starbucks
Just think tonight some US soldier with all the right intentions sits in Afghanistan worried about his life. Joe and the last administration have praised torture as a way of getting to the truth, even though we know that torture can make people say anything. Is this a debate we should have? Not really, it has been settled law for a very long time.
An independent voter and former Starbucks patron,
Starbucks
2401 Utah Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134
6/8/09
Mr. Howard Schultz,
As a patron and gold card member of your store and brand, I have to wonder where Starbucks is heading.
I’m not sure who came up with the idea of a Sponsorship Agreement with Morning Joe but this seems to me one of the worst ideas that your PR department has come up with. Also Burger King already uses Morning Joe slogan in their stores. You are walking into a minefield and an ambush at the same time, which is the worst-case sanerieo for Starbucks and its brand. There is no good outcome for Starbucks with this sponsorship. It is really short sighted. Yes I ‘m sure that your PR people convinced you that Joe and Mika is the new shiny thing and that you should get on board quickly.
It is my thought that a company should try its best to stay away from politics, religion and social issues, but you have decided that Morning Joe is the man and the show, which you will attach your name and brand to. You only need to look at other companies that have taken political or social stands to see what it cost. Denny’s thought discriminating against skin color or Cracker Barrel against gays, just a couple that come to mine, not great PR.
Joe is an attorney, journalist, author, congressman and commentator who thinks torture should be used, because someone in the CIA told him it works. The authority on torture are Joe and Donny Deutsch neither having any first hand knowledge on the subject, and General David Petraeus, Joe’s favorite General has said it is torture and it’s against our laws, but you haven’t heard that reported on Joe’s show. This is a man who can’t handle an open and honest debate. He always gets angry and overbearing on his own show with his guest and mostly with women. This is the same guy who had the failed show Scarborough Country. This is the show that thinks talking about vibrators and how sexy Mika looks with her hair up or down makes great morning conversation. This is a guy who calls an FBI agent testifying before congress a liar. This is the show that thinks that unions are the problem with business, although this could be good for Starbucks to have Joe, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Mika Brzezinski (“They cripple the system that makes a company work.") talking down unions in one of the most unionized cities in our country and on a union set. I hope the union members in NYC don’t boycott Starbucks when the card check debate begins. Or calling Paul Krugman an idiot. This is the guy who tells some of the best journalists in the country, they just don’t understand! This is a show that makes fun of people’s clothes and hairstyle that appear on their show. This is the show that makes a joke about David Carradines’ death. I think you’re under estimating the intelligence of your average coffee drinker.
Yes, this was a Great Idea! If Starbucks is looking to push customers away. You have asked us, to take a stand, to get on one side or the other of the issues, that Joe thinks are important.
Here are some things that I think could win customers to Starbucks.
Set up coffee stands around the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorials and hand out free small cups coffee to the people attending those places on Veterans or Memorial Day. Tens of Millions of American’s are directly related to those who either survived or gave their lives for this nation. I can see the cup that says Starbuck Salutes Sacrifice.
Or how about offering to bring commercial free time for D-day events on MSNBC with your logo present during the show, so the viewers can listen to all the presenters.
I’m sure Starbucks can win customers in any number of ways without risking the chance of alienating any part of their customer base that they have or could have in the future. I’m sure at some point Joe or Buchanan will say something that will offend or anger someone that will take a hard look at what Starbucks is supporting and start asking hard questions of Starbucks that has nothing to do with the brewing of a great cup of coffee. I’m sure this is not the public conversation that Starbuck wants to have. I didn’t know there was a Republican, Democrat, Independent, conservative, liberal or moderate cup of coffee, I thought there was just good coffee.
It would seem to me that Starbucks should be forward thinking company; its clients are more educated, have more sources for information, younger and are good at making choices. Just look at the last election and yes the people did turned on their last brand, they didn’t like what they we’re sold. Starbucks should be careful of what they are about to start selling. Maybe Starbucks should stick to coffee and pastries and not get involved in politics and social issues.
So, in closing, let me say I’m returning my gold card and will start paying full price for any products I purchase at your stores, understanding that you need the money more the I need the discount. But the company that I thought you were is not the company I’m seeing today. It is obvious that Starbucks has made a political calculation rather a than a business decision. I’m not boycotting Starbucks but I will start at this point to spread my coffee business around and at the same time watch to see how politics and coffee mix. And while I’m usually a brand loyal person that doesn’t mean it’s Joe’s brand.
I remember a great quote. Hiring people is an art, not a science, and resumes can't tell you whether someone will fit into a company's culture. When you realize you've made a mistake, you need to cut your losses and move on.
Howard Schultz -
From my point of view this would be very good advice.
Former Starbucks Supporter
Starbucks Sponsorship of Morning Joe MSNBC
Possible loss of sales from offending comments by Pat or Joe or Mika.
Our coffee cost, my simple calculation.
$4.37 X 5 days = $ 21.85 X 52 weeks = $1136.20 X 2 patrons = $2272.40 per year
People offended X 10,000 = $22,774,000. per year
People offended X 100,000 = $ 227,740,000. per year
Starbucks investment in Morning Joe $10,000,000
Web videos MJ Starbucks
Target HHS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmz2e2s3BKU&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmediamatters.org%2F&feature=player_embedded
Torture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dccwJNYwVw8&feature=PlayList&p=55AA4333843EC46D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17
Torture debate Christa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iD-noY7IDE
More torture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxl8ZQhG7-Q
CIA tape torture Joe explodes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7PpIImLHWM
Dick O & Joe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaH3U4TuzAM
Joe’s fear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpf_-AoFQG4
Joe & Matthews
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ-eaXCD3NA
Joe Hitch torture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HslR9UaVuXA&NR=1
Joe, on Bush
http://mediamatters.org/research/200906190028
Joe & Krugman
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/paul-krugman-joe-scarborough-youve-got-mythical-image
Joe, on Bear
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2009/04/23/joe-scarborough-slams-misinformation-spread-chris-matthews-show
Joe, on Krugman
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/joe-scarborough-paul-krugman-is-fanning-left-wing-hate/
Joe, Jesse Ventura
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/05/jesse_ventura_vs_joe_scarborou.html
Joe, on torture
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/joe-scarborough-unhinged-torture-apologist
Joe, VP Dick
http://airamerica.com/blog/2009/may/13/joe-scarborough-justifies-cheneys-attacks-obama-video
Joe, gay not in my state
http://www.queerty.com/joe-scarborough-let-gays-get-married-just-not-in-my-state-20090610/
Joe, on Schiavo
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200503290005
Joe, Pelosi,
http://mediamatters.org/research/200907090025
Pat Buchanan calls for killing
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907130007
Joe defending Rush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1K0nfckwvE&fmt=22
Are these far righties the most angry people in the history of civilization or what? All they do is vent, vent and vent about everything. We can conclude that millions of americans really need to get lives.
I like the idea, but the ad itself doesn't quite make it.
That's nice, but why do the rest of us need to know about it, and really, why do we need an ad to point out the fucking obvious.
Anyway, Obama and his fellow war pigs love it. Next they'll start having people call him a nigger and then everyone will support any war he wants to start, or never finish. Pretty good trick if you think about it, it certainly works here.
Also, how many civilians have U.S. forces felled this month in Afghanistan? I can tell you you'll never here it here or anywhere, because nobody is reporting on it at all.
The ad is merely mildly amusing. What if an ad aired that showed some of the actual hateful comments some of the town hall attendees shouted? These people are incredibly thin-skinned. I'd give Starbucks even more of my business if I were a customer, but I must be the only person in North America who does not like their coffee -- or their prices. We truly live in Orwellian times.
let the conservatives rail all they want......they got nothing
"Sadly, it may only be a matter of time until someone walks into a Starbucks and shouts, 'You lie!'"
I think some of these unhinged folks might do more than that, sadly.
I never thought I'd say this but, "Well done, Starbucks." Better latte than never.
You know you're a joke when companies start making fun of you in ads.
Perfect example of the Euronational mentality in Washington, the news media and town halls.................
Wasn't "morning joe" involved in the death of a woman some years back?
Have a cup of joe! Go Starbucks.. Those folks are NOT regular people.. They probably have never stepped in to a Starbucks so you don't lose anybody that's for sure.. Might even gain some new folks!
This part of the article is complete rubbish:
"Of course, few dare defend the displays of racial hatred, Nazi imagery and mob intimidation tactics that seemed to saturate media over the last several months. ... All of which is apparently more offensive to some than the actual events being sort-of mocked.
Even though such acidic behavior reflects upon a relatively small number of the health reform protesters, the coffee chain's ad hardly broaches the topic. "
I've seen more than a few Conservatives, TV pundits, politicians and commentors on the web, defending exactly this kind of behavior. One only needs to watch a small sampling of Glenn Beck's 9/12 rally to know that this stuff is prevalent amongst the teabaggers.
Or shoots someone
We need Michelle to wade in on this
Damn it, I can't taste the difference either! I even wore my .44 Magnum!
Great commercial! I loved it - especially the spoof of these nutcase teabaggers! These people don't know how to laugh at themselves. They need to lighten up!
Because I don't watch the boob tube, I don't even know who Joe Scarborough is. Am I missing something? No, I guess not. I will patronize Starbucks for its swipe at right wing idiocy.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shannon Thompson and Stephen C. Webster. Stephen C. Webster said: Conservatives rage over Starbucks ad mocking town hall screamers http://bit.ly/1ChzEe [...]
If they cannot take criticism, it means you're on the right track and that it's time to ratchet it up.
Hey! wake up, people, it's a fucking commercial. A clever one, no less, but when people have nothing better to complain about than commercials than I weep for the empty shells their lives must have become.
Articles like this, and the angry Primate responses to it, are the reason the United States is DYING.
It is a COFFEE commercial, for GOD's sake.
People in Iran fight over a rigged election.
In America, people who claim our own election was rigged last time are made fun of, and called names.
People in Africa lose a leg from a minefield on the way to the store.
In America, people shoot each other in the face from road rage.
People in the UK cannot take a SHIT without someone watching it.
In America, we accuse people of treachery for demanding a little human space and privacy.
This kind of reporting is nothing more than fluff, filler, and emotion-candy. It stirs the pot just enough to throw the teeming masses into a fit, when their real concerns are often-times unknown even to themselves. Shame on you guys for even POSTING this inanity...
Bitch and whine about something that matters, for God's sake. Starbucks is the 1980's of super-chains. Here today. Gone tomorrow. But, idiocy lasts a lifetime...
*sigh*
Everytime a nerve is touched, the Racisitacans react in recoiled anger. Hey tomorrow I'm having at least two coffee's at Starbucks; because I can tell the difference.
f)@& the republicans, their a nation of whiners!
boy, must be really tired tonight, can't spell worth a darn.
f*** the republicans, they're a nation of whiners.....
Notorious Kelly asked who Sean Hannity was....a Rush Limbaugh wannabe.
I've been boycotting Starbucks ever since Howard Schultz built an illegal driveway through a city park to make access to his private driveway more accessible and then when the city got huffy he just bought them off by purchsing the right of way and shrinking the size of the city park. That is what you can do if you have money. Others get fined for picking flowers but he just decides to build a road and get away with it. Anyway, that arrogant act showed me that he was obviously so rich he didn't need my money and so I stopped patronizing him right then--this was several years ago. And I have never looked back! Besides the coffee tastes burnt; always has!!!
I used to despise the politically inactive. Now that I see what they become when they get active, I wish they'd get inactive again.
I don't drink coffee and wouldn't frequent Starbucks even if I did, but the ad is great. And I think the article above is off a bit. In my viewings of it, only one person speaks out at the "town hall meeting." He says rather angrily, "I can't taste the difference," and looks around the room at the unresponsive people sitting around him and says rather petulantly, "I can't." I've seen it several times and I laugh at the town hall bit every time.
Howard Schultz is a huge Democrat and advocates heavily for universal health care, and now Starbucks is pissing off the conservatives. Just another good reason to stop by and support the business.
Actually, the text is "I can't taste the difference"
He then turns his head away from the camera and continues, "I can't!"
There is no second person who stands up.
But oh well. Still funny. And I would love to see more of them. Starbucks can increase its marketshare of the 77% of us, by making fun of the other fringe kook 23%.
Apparently republicans now think they have exclusive jurisdiction over the town hall meeting concept.
How pathetic.
Slavery and liberty: Can *they* tell the difference ?
I've never been impressed by instant coffee. If someone could invent instant boiling water that would be something.
yeah, people, Starbucks pissed you off
'Anais - - The ad is merely mildly amusing. What if an ad aired that showed some of the actual hateful comments some of the town hall attendees shouted? These people are incredibly thin-skinned. I'd give Starbucks even more of my business if I were a customer, but I must be the only person in North America who does not like their coffee -- or their prices. We truly live in Orwellian times.'
No, you're not the only one who doesn't like Starbucks coffee. I can't stand that crap either. Just like a buddy of mine in earlier years, who pay more than I did for our clothes although you couldn't tell it, people eagerly brag that they paid more for something than everyone else. Like what they paid for a bottle of Vodka, or wine. The stuff they bought tastes like shit smells.
to the big mouth,
stop taking your self so seriously and go for a walk or somthing.
anyone that posts INSANE amounts like that CLEARLY has NO life whatsoever.
oh, and i hope the right bugs out over this...thier levels of rage never cease to amaze me.
I hope Starbucks makes a commercial which pokes fun at the $19m in BRIBES the Bluedogs Democrats in the Senate Finance Committee received from the Health Care Industry to vote against the government option.
....and yet, somehow, it is we Liberals who are called whiners and crybabies.
The irony of this is, those people who complain they're being mocked by the Starbucks ad are admitting to the childish, disruptive behavior that they denied was characteristic of the right-wing movement all summer long. By telling us this ad is about them, they implicitly acknowledge that town hall obnoxiousness is a trait unique to them and their supporters.
Thanks for clearing the air, guys!
Let them scream. It's the only thing they seem to know how to do. Screaming at the town halls. Screaming about ads. Screaming at the rest of us for eight long years. Joke 'em if they can't take a f***, I say, and although I never have and never will patronize StarF***OFF, I'm glad they did this. It's not like the fat thugs at Town Halls ever patronized StarF***OFF anyway, so they're not going to lose any business.
You got it Phil. My thoughts exactly. By getting pissed at the ad aren't they taking ownership of this past Summer's insanity? I don't see any Dems complaining about it. Logic is definitely not one of their strong points.
I think it's pretty funny. The people that froth at the mouth at town hall meetings wouldn't get within 50 ft. of a Starbucks. Is there a Starbucks in the backwoods of any of these Red States? Yeah the Starbucks is over there. Make a right after the outhouse and a left when you see the inbred kid playing banjo. I don't think caffeine would even have an effect on brains so small. It'd be like trying to kick start a turnip.
I'm surprised these Goobers even know they're being goofed on.
"marie" had it bang-on right with this observation:
Perhaps the conservative Zealots and True Believers have yet to hear the saying that "clowns can get away with the truth." Is it any wonder, then, that Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report have such popularity with the educated sophistos that conservative Zealots and True Believers forever seem to despise?
En 'n Ander Ding: Doesn't conservative prolefeed sound too much ideology-driven rather than fact-driven (cf. the Soviet Union, its Warsaw Pact/COMECON satellites, Fascist Italy, Peronist Argentina and Nazi Germany)?
Actually the better headline would be "Serial Complainers Have New Complaint".
Want 'change'? Boycott Starbucks and every other corporate entity. Support your local mom and pop. Why pay for overpriced products which are at the core of our problems.
Starbucks knows their audience. No teabagger would ever set foot inside a Starbucks even before the ad. And people who frequent Starbucks tend to think teabaggers are idiots. They're making their customers happy. Me likum Starbucks, even more now.
That's clever marketing. Controversies generate interest, and in this case, people who already like Starbucks will chuckle, while the complainers probably don't go there anyway.
Entertaining video that plays to its base, however a true liberal drinks organic and freely traded shade-grown coffee.