Comments on: Philanthropic Consumption: Starbucks’ (RED) Campaign and What They Should’ve Done http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/ Rethinking Sustainability, Marketing, Lifestyle, and Other Stuff Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:50:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: thelephant http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-32 thelephant Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:04:18 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-32 "As much as we like to bash them, they are in a position to make a difference", that is exactly their argument into making us believe that it was plain good will. Trust me, anything written in a business agenda is never plain good will. “As much as we like to bash them, they are in a position to make a difference”, that is exactly their argument into making us believe that it was plain good will. Trust me, anything written in a business agenda is never plain good will.

]]> By: scott http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-27 scott Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:40:12 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-27 <p>@thinslicing</br> I don't mind them using causes to promote themselves so long as they actually do something. In a way I think it's the consumers who should be blamed. Consumers are not asking hard questions about corporations' "efforts". It's a shame most people would have bought that cup of coffee with or without the cause associated. What's worse is that they would have thought they've "done their part". Corporations would only do something if their customers ask for it.</p> <p>@licia</br> As much as we like to bash them, they are in a position to make a difference, just like WalMart. Let's hope Howie and his pals can make some big changes; now would be a good time.</p> @thinslicing
I don’t mind them using causes to promote themselves so long as they actually do something. In a way I think it’s the consumers who should be blamed. Consumers are not asking hard questions about corporations’ “efforts”. It’s a shame most people would have bought that cup of coffee with or without the cause associated. What’s worse is that they would have thought they’ve “done their part”. Corporations would only do something if their customers ask for it.

@licia
As much as we like to bash them, they are in a position to make a difference, just like WalMart. Let’s hope Howie and his pals can make some big changes; now would be a good time.

]]> By: LiCia http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-24 LiCia Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:24:20 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-24 You know what Starbucks do with the tips? The workers get it based on their working hours. So there's no point for cashiers addressing customers to donate tips. Starbucks always say their drinks are priced higher because certain percent of the profit is donated to Africa or Latin America for schools and etc,  the truth is, starbucks educate those kids to help them grow coffee beans! You know what Starbucks do with the tips? The workers get it based on their working hours. So there’s no point for cashiers addressing customers to donate tips. Starbucks always say their drinks are priced higher because certain percent of the profit is donated to Africa or Latin America for schools and etc,  the truth is, starbucks educate those kids to help them grow coffee beans!

]]> By: thinslicing http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-23 thinslicing Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:25:13 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-23 i just think the (RED)™ campaign is too overrated....it's funny how corporations like to use philanthropy to save their asses...like Gucci just came up with a series of ugly ass bags and claim it will help UNICEF. It's just abuse. How much of the profits will actually go into helping these people? If it actually works then why are there so many Africans starving or dying of AIDS everyday?? i just think the (RED)™ campaign is too overrated….it’s funny how corporations like to use philanthropy to save their asses…like Gucci just came up with a series of ugly ass bags and claim it will help UNICEF. It’s just abuse. How much of the profits will actually go into helping these people? If it actually works then why are there so many Africans starving or dying of AIDS everyday??

]]> By: scott http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-21 scott Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:01:13 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-21 <p>@thelephant</p> <p>Hey elephant. I don't see anything wrong with them jumping on the bandwagon or cultivating new market. The point is mutual benefit. They should rightly earn more money by doing good things. The problem is that neither could be attained by their current tactics.</p> <p>@Devin</p> <p>I agree mutual gain is the key. Maybe other companies are using similar tactics, but Starbucks do face greater scrutiny because of their visibility and mediocre track record.</p> <p>@karen</p> <p>They do that? I hardly ever put change in the box. I always thought, "why would I give them money so that they could donate it in their name?" It's quite interesting that in other parts of the world (outside of North America) McDonald's have much better reputation.</p> @thelephant

Hey elephant. I don’t see anything wrong with them jumping on the bandwagon or cultivating new market. The point is mutual benefit. They should rightly earn more money by doing good things. The problem is that neither could be attained by their current tactics.

@Devin

I agree mutual gain is the key. Maybe other companies are using similar tactics, but Starbucks do face greater scrutiny because of their visibility and mediocre track record.

@karen

They do that? I hardly ever put change in the box. I always thought, “why would I give them money so that they could donate it in their name?” It’s quite interesting that in other parts of the world (outside of North America) McDonald’s have much better reputation.

]]> By: karenkuo http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-20 karenkuo Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:14:12 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-20 what's worse i think is that usually those macdonald's 'loose change' donation often becomes staff's tips... makes ppl think why bother.p.s i love the commercial working w/ words only what’s worse i think is that usually those macdonald’s ‘loose change’ donation often becomes staff’s tips… makes ppl think why bother.p.s i love the commercial working w/ words only

]]> By: Devin Huang http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Devin Huang Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:48:29 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-19 Great ideas~I think your take on this issue is more realistic.. Starbucks is not the only company that uses the current tactics.. these companies are not charities, but there have to be some symbiotic solutions that can maximize the mutual gains..  Great ideas~I think your take on this issue is more realistic.. Starbucks is not the only company that uses the current tactics.. these companies are not charities, but there have to be some symbiotic solutions that can maximize the mutual gains.. 

]]> By: thelephant http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-18 thelephant Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:13:09 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-18 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/business/30starbucks.html?pagewanted=2&_r=3&ref=business   Found this article addressing their issue on reviving their business.       http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/859949/Starbucks-focuses-community-RED/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH Starbucks Focuses RED     http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/business/30starbucks.html?pagewanted=2&_r=3&ref=business
 
Found this article addressing their issue on reviving their business.
 
 
 
http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/859949/Starbucks-focuses-community-RED/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH
Starbucks Focuses RED
 
 

]]> By: thelephant http://www.r3think.com/2008/philanthropic-consumption-starbucks-red-campaign-and-what-they-shouldve-done/comment-page-1/#comment-17 thelephant Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:51:36 +0000 http://www.r3think.com/2008/12/philanthropic-consumption-my-take-on-starbucks-red-campaign/#comment-17 For me, Starbucks got it all wrong. They think that in order for us to buy more Starbucks was to use this campaign especially around Christmas when people feel good about giving. The campaign is all about cultivating new market, Starbuckes knows they are in deep shit for their criticism on fair trade is heavily reflecting on their sales (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2053245/). People are boycotting them for precisely this reason. So by releasing a relatively guaranteed-return-on-investment campaign, they think that their market will believe that they are helping the people in Africa. For me, they just simply jumped on the bandwagon without really doing what they promised, "sharing the world". I agree with you on what they should have done. Or maybe they should've just started the campaign by donating the hundreds of millions of dollar that would have cost to market it. I am sure that would stir up with a media frenzy, and I am sure I'll be happy to blog about it and maybe even buy a cup of Starbucks simply because their name would give me that fuzzy feel-good feeling. But let's face it, they'll never pull out a penny unless pull out a dollar first.   For me, Starbucks got it all wrong. They think that in order for us to buy more Starbucks was to use this campaign especially around Christmas when people feel good about giving. The campaign is all about cultivating new market, Starbuckes knows they are in deep shit for their criticism on fair trade is heavily reflecting on their sales (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2053245/). People are boycotting them for precisely this reason. So by releasing a relatively guaranteed-return-on-investment campaign, they think that their market will believe that they are helping the people in Africa. For me, they just simply jumped on the bandwagon without really doing what they promised, “sharing the world”.
I agree with you on what they should have done. Or maybe they should’ve just started the campaign by donating the hundreds of millions of dollar that would have cost to market it. I am sure that would stir up with a media frenzy, and I am sure I’ll be happy to blog about it and maybe even buy a cup of Starbucks simply because their name would give me that fuzzy feel-good feeling. But let’s face it, they’ll never pull out a penny unless pull out a dollar first.
 

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