Starbucks Is Giving Away Free Coffee

Starbucks has been all over the headlines recently. First....they announced a new premium brewing device called The Clover, that will brew you one cup at a time. Then, they debuted a new healthy breakfast menu. And...now more news from the coffee giant. In the month of September, Starbucks is giving away free Tall coffees to K-12 teachers every Monday.

I love the idea of giving away free cups of coffee. If I owned a coffee shop, I'd be handing out cups of coffee left and right. How much do they cost Starbucks? 10 cents/cup? When anything is free, it catches consumers' attention but they are wary of a scheme. (You're offering me a free trip to the Bahamas, but what do I have to do to get it?) When coffee is free, it catches consumers attention and they believe it. But I ask you King Starbucks, why teachers?

Don't get me wrong....I love teachers. But, couldn't you be a little bit more creative with your promotions? Once upon a time, Starbucks was a trendy place to go for coffee and conversation. You do own a record label, don't you? How about free coffee days for Miles Davis fans, Beck fans, Norah Jones fans, etc.? Prove it with your iPod.

If you were Starbucks, to whom would you offer a free cup?

Starbucks Ideas in Action