It’s generic, it’s simple, it’s red….It’s offensive?
This little guy has caused a lot of backlash this holiday season, and we’re not even half-way through November. Countless people across this Grande land have said that Starbucks has offended them because they’ve removed “Christmas” or Christmas-themed imagery from the cup, somehow taking away from the customer’s ability to celebrate their chosen holiday with cheer and happiness.
Now, there have been PLENTY of people to make their point (sometimes hilariously) for or against Starbucks’ apparent “war” on Christmas spirit.
That’s not why we are here. We’re here to talk about the heart of the red cup, the forever known, and iconic, mermaid. A mermaid that, dare I say, may be even as big as Mr. Claus himself.
Oh wait, sorry…”Siren”, not mermaid. (Yes, someone once corrected me on this – and they didn’t even work for Starbucks)
And since for the day we’re a NSFW blog, here’s the spicy original logo:
spicy selling spices – and to make it more NSFW – people were upset by this too…because of the mermaid vagina. Hyper-sensitive people are also hyper-imaginative.
MOVING ON!
There’s some interesting history behind what we all know, love and work over-time to purchase today. Did you know we almost didn’t have our beloved Siren at all? We almost had Mercury! You know, quick silver? The crap in the thermostats at school the teachers said we should stay away from but we all hit the unit with a ball in gym just to see if we could spill the contents on the ground anyways. Was that just me? … you haven’t lived.
Anyway…A long time ago our fearless leader (and permanent sip face/duck face maker) Howard Schultz came to a crossroads. He had an opportunity to purchase Starbucks in its early stage from the founders who had majority control, when they were still just selling whole beans and tea bags. Ol’ Howie had another company at the time, which would transfer its model to create the Starbucks chain we know today. That company, was of course the WILDLY successful and globally known Il Giornale. Wait, you aren’t familiar with them? Well, you should be! They’re the reason you can get your triple venti, extra hot, 3%, foam on the side in a solo cup, 3 pump vanilla, 2 pump caramel, no whip mocha three times a day. (I used to be a Starbucks barista, and yes that’s a real drink) The original concept for this cafe was Schultz’s baby, a quick as…Mercury…cafe that resembled the Italian espresso bars he had fallen in love with during is time in Milan. Schultz was so focused on speed and perfect service he didn’t even want chairs in his first stores. Get in. Get out. If you’re sitting here…you’re not at the office closing…and only closers…get…coffee!….sorry, having a Glengarry Glen Ross moment.
Well, now that you’ve had plenty of pointless back-story that only I, and maybe this other guy Pete, would find interesting…here’s the quick part:
Schultz loves coffee and is always in sip-face mode.
Schultz starts Il Giornale
Based on the Greek God Mercury, who eventually was captured by a….GREEN RING! Schultz takes over Starbucks and must make a decision on the logo/branding of the new Hydra…er…company. He likes the model of Il Giornale, but knows that Starbucks is already a well established name in Seattle – plus, who the hell can pronounce Il Giornale in the United States? SO HERE WE GO!
BOOOOOM!
Oh, and the best part? Super amazing talented designer, Doug Fast, made BOTH logos! Don’t know who Doug Fast is? There’s a site that rhymes with oogle to help you out.
So, in conclusion, instead of being upset about a stupid red cup, just be glad you’re not drinking a cup of mermaid vagina or mercury! Jay slash kay. Just don’t be a jerk and care about something of value.
Thanks everyone! I’ve been great.
– Dan
