Source: YouTube
Header image source: Scottallenprojects.com
My friend showed me this video, about how (apparently) Starbucks spells your name wrong on your cups on purpose. Why? So that you will share a picture of your coffee cup it on social media. In this video, Paul Gale explains why.
I don’t believe that Starbucks purposefully spells your name wrong. I simply believe that baristas are writing so many names in one day that they don’t think so carefully about spelling people’s names right. Not to mention if you have a hard name, how can you expect them to spell it right? Take it from someone who knows, my name is Sidsel (pronounced See-sell), so think about how many variations of my name I’ve had on a cup! In terms of what we learned in last class: paid, owned and earned media, I would say this is earned, but earned by mistake. What started out as earned media on purpose (where people would share pictures of their cups with their names on it), has now turned into earned media by mistake; people share pictures of cups with their name spelt wrong. Even more spill-over effects? This video is now being shared all over social media channels. Well done Starbucks, whether it is on purpose or by mistake. You’ve got my respect.
What’s your opinion? Are baristas spelling your name wrong on purpose? If they wanted you to share a picture of your coffee cup, why not draw a little funny doodle next to your name, like a flower, a house or a heart?