Starbucks today launched a new way for customers to send the thoughtful
gift of Starbucks coffee through the tweet-a-coffee program.
Customers in the U.S. can now simply sync their Starbucks account to
their Twitter account and tweet to @tweetacoffee
and the Twitter handle of the gift recipient, which will then send the
recipient a $5 digital eGift. Customers can them redeem the $5 Starbucks
Card e-gift at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S., either by
printing out the e-gift, showing it directly on their mobile device, or
by loading it to their Starbucks mobile app.
Building upon Starbucks digital gifting and engagement offerings,
tweet-a-coffee (launching today in beta form) will be an ongoing
platform that will allow customers to engage with one another online to
gift a Starbucks beverage spontaneously and respond proactively with
gestures of encouragement, kindness on and “just because.” Starbucks
first launched its eGifting platform in 2011 on Starbucks.com and has
extended that offering to Facebook, its iPhone mobile app and now
through Twitter.
Starting today through Nov. 6, the first 100,000 customers who tweet a
coffee using a Visa card will also receive a $5 Starbucks Card e-gift
for themselves, courtesy of Visa and Starbucks.
“What’s so exciting about extending our eGifting platform to Twitter is
the open and real time nature of the platform. Tweet-a-coffee allows us
to do something quite different in eGifting in that people can now give
the gift of Starbucks to anyone on Twitter in the moment. This can be
between the closest of friends, the most distant of colleagues, or even
between people who have not even had the chance to meet yet in person,
but have connected in some way on Twitter,” said Adam Brotman, chief
digital officer, Starbucks. “We love the possibilities that the Twitter
community can unlock to share acts of kindness with one another.
Tweet-a-coffee is a key next step as we innovate our social digital
gifting offering.”
“Starbucks is really breaking ground here,” said Joel Lunenfeld, vice
president of brand strategy at Twitter. “Shared experiences, such as a
television show, a sporting event, or someone sharing a gift, are at the
heart of the Twitter experience. It's also central to what it means to
be a modern brand.”
Customers in the U.S. can learn more about how to tweet-a-coffee at www.starbucks.com/tweetacoffee.
To participate, customers will need to set up a Starbucks.com account
and a Twitter account if they don’t already have one.
About Starbucks Corporation
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically
sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with
stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer
of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to
excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks
Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in
the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2013