Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) introduced the newest additions to the
Starbucks Digital Network, in partnership with Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO), as The
Economist, ESPN Insider Rumor Central, Marvel Digital Comics and
Mediabistro were revealed on stage at the company's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. Building on the Oct. 2010 launch, the network continues to
serve up a collection of hand-picked premium news, entertainment and
lifestyle content along with local insights and events. Powered by free
Wi-Fi, it's accessible via laptops, tablets and smartphones in nearly
6800 U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores. Today's line-up gives free
access to premium content covering global news, sports, comics and
careers.
ESPN Insider on the Starbucks Digital Network (Photo: Business Wire)
"Following the fall launch, we've continued to seek feedback from our
customers so we can continue to shape and grow the Starbucks Digital
Network in a way that is authentic to the Starbucks Experience,
inspires conversation and invites new customers to experience our
content offering when they visit their neighborhood Starbucks," said
Stephen Gillett, Starbucks chief information officer, executive vice
president Digital Ventures. "Today we're broadening the offering and
will continue to develop the network's channels with a spectrum of new
content."
NEWS & SPORTS CHANNEL
As the new content providers join the network, the News Channel broadens
to become the News & Sports Channel, offering the latest breaking
developments from around the world, nation or locker room. The
Economist online and ESPN Insider Rumor
Central are opening up their premium online content to the Starbucks
Digital Network, so customers have free access while in their local
Starbucks store.
Known for its in-depth coverage of world politics, business and finance,
science and technology and culture, The Economist
which provides its readers with global perspective and insight each
week, is sharing the online version of its weekly print edition and a
weekly digital-only feature with Starbucks customers.
For sport fans looking for the news and rumors from across the sporting
world, ESPN Insider content portal joins the line-up on the
Starbucks Digital Network and offers access to Rumor Central, a
behind-the-scenes sports source sharing insider tips, speculation and
analysis on sports teams and athletes before it's news. The ESPN Insider
covers a roster of 28 sports and leagues including college and
professional sports in the US and abroad.
ENTERTAINMENT CHANNEL
On the Entertainment Channel, watch for the upcoming arrival of the
Marvel Universe as Super Heroes, mutants, aliens, armor-clad
super-geniuses and thunder gods join forces with the Starbucks Digital
Network on Apr. 23, 2011. Known for engrossing stories and a library of
more than 8,000 characters, Marvel Comics gives Starbucks customers
unlimited, free access to its full library of Marvel Digital Comics
Unlimited. Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine and others await to
captivate as customers explore the comic realm and imagine fighting
villains with a cup of coffee in hand.
BUSINESS & CAREERS CHANNEL
For customers looking to conduct a job search in the media field or plot
a career move, Mediabistro brings new resources to the network.
It joins the Business & Careers channel to provide complimentary access
to its library of how-to career training videos. With topics ranging
from how to "Create a Job Search Strategy" to "How to Make Your Resume
Work Harder for You," the instructional videos offer relevance for job
seekers and entrepreneurs in all fields.
THE CHANNELS & CONTENT PROVIDERS
The six channels on the Starbucks Digital Network are created to inform,
entertain and connect customers with what is most important to them.
Content continues to be offered in a snackable format so the network is
easy to explore whether customer have a few minutes or an hour. Since
launch, most customer log-ins to the network are for a few minutes.
Following is a rundown of all network content providers.
-
News & Sports: Digits (WSJ technology blog), WSJ.com, The
Economist, GOOD, New York Times Reader 2.0, USA TODAY eEdition,
ESPN Insider Rumor Central and Yahoo! News.
-
Entertainment: iTunes, Bookish Reading Club, Marvel Comics, New
Word City, Nick Jr. Boost, SnagFilms, Starbucks Entertainment and
Yahoo! entertainment offerings.
-
Wellness: Rodale with Men's Health, Women's Health, Runner's
World, Bicycling, Prevention, Organic Gardening, TrainingPeaks, Eat
This, Not That! and Rodale Books.
-
Business & Careers: LinkedIn, Mediabistro, Starbucks
Careers and Yahoo! Finance.
-
My Neighborhood: DonorsChoose.org, Flickr, Foursquare, Patch,
and Zagat.
-
Starbucks: MyStarbucksIdea, Starbucks Coffee Blog, Starbucks
Nutrition, Starbucks? Shared Planet?, Starbucks Card and My Starbucks
Rewards.
-
Landing page and other featured content: The Weather Channel,
Foursquare check-in, Starbucks Card log-in, a social media dashboard
highlighting Facebook, Twitter, My Starbucks Idea and YouTube, and the
Yahoo! search bar.
Customers gain access to the Starbucks Digital Network when they connect
to free Wi-Fi at company-operated Starbucks in the U.S. The Starbucks
Digital Network content can be accessed with devices on the AT&T network
in store by typing the URL starbucks.yahoo.com in browser.
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 starbucks.com.
About Yahoo!
Yahoo! is the premier digital media company, creating deeply personal
digital experiences that keep more than half a billion people connected
to what matters most to them, across devices and around the globe.
That's how we deliver your world, your way. And Yahoo!'s unique
combination of Science + Art + Scale connects advertisers to the
consumers who build their businesses. For more information, visit the
pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.com) or the company's blog, Yodel Anecdotal
(yodel.yahoo.com).
Yahoo! is the trademark and/or registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. All
other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6656976&lang=en
Starbucks Coffee Company
Tamra Strentz, 206-318-7100
press@starbucks.com
or
Edelman
Public Relations
Lily Gluzberg, 206-318-7100
press@starbucks.com