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Seattle's Best Coffee and Branding

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Pro Albuquerque

 Okay, I love coffee. Specifically espresso. Preferablly first thing in the morning. I can and will make my own. Much better if someone else does it. You have to understand that until a year ago, I lived on an Indian reservation in Northern New Mexico and the closest Starbucks was a hundred miles away. You learn to cope. When the tribe built a new supermarket, they put in a coffee bar (NO it was not a Starbucks).

When I moved to Albuquerque not only were there Starbucks everywhere but there were lots of other choices too. I moved to Rio Rancho and there were no Starbucks in the city; I'm close to the city limits and there was one just across the line....

Now there are two in Rio Rancho. I have discovered that I prefer the brew one of my clients makes at her local coffee cafe. Yesterday I caught myself about to order a "venti" instead of a large.True Starbucks conditioning for you. The one addiction that I have and do not care to seek help for is books. Give me a bookstore with a coffee bar and I think I'm in Paradise. I was in one today and someone at the next table was carrying on about how they were glad that the bookstore had decided to have Seattle's Best Coffee instead of Starbucks since Starbucks was everywhere and launched into a tirade about its corporate evils. Okay, it's a corporation and it isn't perfect. In the scheme of things it's a lot better than most. That said, I had to smile to myself as I realized they had not read the fine print on the cups or the napkins which discloses that Seattl's Best Coffee is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starbucks. What's in a name you ask? In this case everything. At least the marketing department has a great sense of humor as well as being very creative.

Lessons learned

  • ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT
  • ALWAYS DISCLOSE
  • STAY CREATIVE AND LIVE OUTSIDE THE BOX
  • HAVE THE PRODUCT AND THE SERVICE TO BACK UP YOUR CLAIMS
  • DIFFERENTIATION CAN ATTRACT DIFFERENT CUSTOMERS FOR THE SAME PRODUCT
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Comments (4)

Leslie Bloss, Bellevue Real Estate Professional
Bellevue, WA

Hi Deb, I live in Seattle and used to seeing espresso on almost every corner.  I am glad that I finally bought Starbucks stock.  For the longest time my broker kept telling me "it is only coffee"--he was not very encouraging.

 

Jan 31, 2007 04:42 PM
Danny Smith
DISCOVER TEXAS HOMES - Round Rock, TX
I actually did a blog on Coffee shops. I call them Modern day Opium Parlors because were all hooked. My favorite is a Rebi Venti Latte!
Jan 31, 2007 07:26 PM
Deb Hurt
Realty Pro Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM
ABR, e-Pro,Green, TRC

Danny,

 I recently discovered Trader Joe's Holiday blend--has spices and a disticnt hint of pepper. Sounds odd but it's great. 

Feb 05, 2007 04:13 AM
Pat Fenn
Marketing Specialist for CJ Realty Group/Cindy Jones Broker - Springfield, VA
Going back to look at who is still around on AR that started in 2007.
Oct 18, 2012 04:28 AM