I am proud to say that Wendy and I have finally gotten together and squeaked out Episode #3 of the [The Marketing Diner].

This time we are in search of that perfect recipe for marketing ethics and a sustainable show format. Regardless it’s a great show and the commentary, I am proud to say, is really heating up.

Check it out today @ http://marketingdiner.com

Or Just Download It Here:

Right Click And ‘Save As’ To Download Full Show

I hate the overpriced coffee that tastes like scorched clay, I hate their retail strategy that essentially prices out smaller, privately owned coffee shops from prime locations and I hate the yuppie culture it inspires. The only thing I even remotely “like” about Starbucks is that provides so much fodder for this marketing blog!

So, given my polarizing views of the coffee giant, imagine my dismay when I wandered into the office break room to see the McPaper (otherwise known as USA Today)featuring Starbuck’s transformation of American culture as its cover story!

Beyond java and the occasional baked good, the story explains, Starbucks is trying to branch into every facet of the entertainment industry. Well that’s just great. Starbucks has found its niche as the purveyor of high class for the masses! Beyond the obvious implications of diversifying a product line, though Starbucks may be able to do this, should they?

I assume that at some point, some columnist wrote about this type of conundrum during the rise of TV and TV Ads, but where does marketing stop playing off of culture and start replacing it?

With its massive retail distribution strategy, Starbucks can essentially dictate trends and influence consumer entertainment just by promoting one artist or medium over another. The sad thing is that by virtue of the  “Starbucks Lifestyle” marketing tactic, many people will accept these dictated trends, without question.

This illustrates the rising power of marketing and raises some serious questions about how far we should go in trying to influence our audience.

Personally, I tend to try to focus on the individual in my marketing. I try to understand and promote their own vision of themselves through copy and imagery that asks questions and lets them fill in their own image of themselves.

Starbucks forces upon people a clean, no-fuss culture of coffee, style…and now art. Should we let Starbucks now replace our art galleries and other venues of cultural collaboration or should we start to ask some serious questions of marketing and the application of ethics?