U.S. Election Day

It has been said that this is the most important election of our lifetime. That well may be true. Not that they aren't all important, and not just in the U.S., but in every country, every town, every time across the globe.

But this one does feel different. We all sense that there is much more in the balance than perhaps we fully understand. We talk about crises-- with the economy, the climate, the safety of us all. It feels different.

So vote. Red or blue (or green!), vote. We often encourage "small steps to help save the planet." Voting is the biggest small step there is.

Voting has lifetime rewards... not to mention a free cup of coffee from Starbucks.



Maybe it's a little silly to reward one for participating in the democratic process with a free Cup of Joe. But, I suppose, Joe's already been a big part of this election....

Happy Election Day!

P.S. Creatively, we like where this new Starbucks work seems to be taking the brand, but that might be because it's so eerily similar to another of our favorite pieces of mission-based creative, The Girl Effect. What do you think?

Good Sheets + Starbucks

The Greenery's partners at Good Magazine, have recently joined efforts with Starbucks to distribute "Good Sheets" to all Starbucks patrons for the next 11 weeks.

These one-sheets will focus on a variety of socially relevant topics, such as politics, education and health care to name a few.

This week was the first issue and it focused on carbon emissions. Stop by your local Starbucks to pick up your own copy. The "info-gram" is fascinating and will leave you quoting shocking statistics to all of your friends. (It makes for great conversation starters!)

A new sheet will be available each Thursday so be sure to go back every week for the new topic.

Paper Cup Madness

Sixteen billion paper coffee cups are used in the US every year, adding up to more landfill garbage then is even imaginable. To stop the paper cup madness, Starbucks offers an incentive to customers who bring in their own reusable cups for their morning cup of joe. Good idea, right?

But recently I went to Starbucks (reusable mug in tow) for my usual tall caramel latte. The barista used a paper cup to make my drink, then poured the concoction into my mug and tossed out the paper cup. Hmmm.... The employee simply said he didn't know how else to measure it all right. Good point. But too bad.

Brands aren't just logos, messages and advertising. Brands are made by a consumer's experience with a company. And Starbucks knows that better than most. They don't sell coffee. They sell Starbucks.

The paper cup thing is a simple training fix. But it will go a long way. Because for those of us who choose to bring their reusable mugs around town, it's about our own personal brand: "I'm a caring, informed, intelligent, if not a bit annoyingly smug person."