SEATTLE/NEW YORK: June 1, 2009 – Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) and MSNBC have formed a marketing relationship to highlight Starbucks coffee products on “Morning Joe,” the cable network’s morning program hosted by former Congressman Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. The program features interviews with top newsmakers and politicians and in-depth analysis of the day’s biggest stories.

“We are pleased to be working with MSNBC to further underscore Starbucks relevancy by extending the coffeehouse culture and combining the daily morning coffee ritual with informed discussions about important news topics,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo of Starbucks. “This relationship is an example of the targeted approach we are taking to reach our customers in a meaningful fashion and highlight our exceptional coffee and values which have built our brand from the beginning.”

“We’re thrilled to have a brand leader like Starbucks associated with ‘Morning Joe’,” said Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC.  “More viewers are discovering that ‘Morning Joe’ is THE  place for intelligent discussion about politics.  The MSNBC viewer is younger, more affluent and more highly educated than those of our competitors, making this opportunity perfect for a company like Starbucks.”

As part of the agreement, MSNBC is providing Starbucks on-air branding during the morning news program through a title sponsorship, “Morning Joe” Brewed by Starbucks. Included are graphic elements like billboards and banners, as well as online representation on msnbc.com which will highlight many of Starbucks brand values.

 

 

About MSNBC
Built on the worldwide resources of NBC News, MSNBC defines news for the next generation with world-class reporting and a full schedule of live news coverage, political analysis and award-winning documentary programming -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MSNBC's home on the Internet is msnbc.com. Msnbc.com delivers a fuller spectrum of news. Drawing on its award-winning original journalism, NBC News heritage, trusted sources and Microsoft's advanced technologies, the site presents compelling, diverse and visually-engaging stories on the consumer's platform of choice. Nielsen Online reports more than 39 million unique visitors for March 2009, making msnbc.com the number one news site, ahead of Yahoo! News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and Fox News.

Members of the media can get more information about MSNBC and its programming on msnbc.com or the NBC Universal Media Village Web site at www.nbcumv.com.

About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. 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.