Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) believes that if it makes it easy, people will look within and will respond with random acts of kindness in gifting friends with a beverage of their choosing. The idea couldn’t be simpler – it allows users of Twitter to send $5 worth of Starbucks’ credit through a platform that the coffee giant is calling Tweet-a-Coffee.
Starbucks introduced the idea
Appropriately enough, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) introduced the idea, still in beta testing, through a tweet on its verified Twitter account Monday morning.
“Now sharing the gift of @Starbucks is as easy as sending a Tweet. http://t.co/UNbkcjRX1s“
— Tweetacoffee (@Tweetacoffee) October 28, 2013
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) believes that by giving the people the opportunity, the holiday season will “encourage spontaneous gifting on Twitter.” In order to take advantage of the new platform, Twitter users will need to sync their micro-blogging accounts with their Starbucks account. A Starbucks account is set up in a mere matter of minutes. Once that step is completed, Twitter users are able to tweet the Twitter name of the recipient to @tweetacoffee and have the option of including a message. Recipients are then able to print out the receipt, load it to their Starbucks mobile app or simply show it to the counter person at their preferred Starbucks location.
“We love the possibilities that the Twitter community can unlock to share acts of kindness with one another,” Starbucks chief digital officer Adam Brotman said in a press release. “Tweet-a-coffee is a key next step as we innovate our social digital gifting offering.”
While Twitter has a full plate with their impending IPO, the company seems quite enthusiastic about Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)’s program.
“Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is really breaking ground here,” Joel Lunefeld, vice president of brand strategy at Twitter, said in a statement. “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.”
Starbucks also addressed security concerns
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) also addressed security concerns revolving around the platform today.
“Customers will receive a receipt via email for every tweet-a-coffee transaction made using their account. If a customer notices any suspicious activity, they should immediately contact their credit card company,” Linda Mills, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) senior global brand PR manager, said.
Incentive for those using the platform with a Visa card
Next Monday will present extra incentive for those using the platform with a Visa card. The company announced that the first 100,000 people who tweet a coffee will receive a $5 Starbucks e-card in addition to the recipients gift.
