Starbucks AudioBlog

As I listened to an archived webcast of the Starbucks Q1 Earnings Call, I keep jumping in with comments. So I thought doing an AudioBlog with running commentary might be an interesting experiment.

When you download the following AudioBlog, you’ll hear sound-bites from Starbucks executives (Jim Donald and Howard Schultz) and you’ll hear some HMOs (hot marketing opinions) from me. Have a listen and provide me with some feedback as I may do another AudioBlog to coincide with the Starbucks Q2 earning call.

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DOWNLOAD AUDIOBLOG HERE
[17:30 minutes | 12.1 MB]

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AudioBlog Log
00:00 | Opening Setup (johnmoore)
00:38 | Jim Donald (Starbucks ceo/president) cites Peppermint, Gingerbread, and Egg Nog Lattes as being sales drivers for Starbucks strong Holiday sales
01:12 | johnmoore demystifies the notion seasonal beverages are mega revenue generators for Starbucks
02:40 | Jim Donald talks about the Starbucks Card
03:23 | johnmoore shares some behind-the-curtain information about the Starbucks Card
04:54 |Jim Donald turns from CEO to C.P.O … Chief Pitching Officer
05:38 | Mindless humor from johnmoore and an introduction to Howard Schultz’s comments
06:10 | Howard references the success of Starbucks selling the Ray Charles CD
06:30 | johnmoore riffs about the Ray Charles anomaly
07:51 | Howard hypes the Starbucks Hear Music Coffeehouse concept
08:37 | johnmoore knocks the Starbucks Hear Music Coffeehouse concept
10:11 | Howard setups his Hollywood hype
10:27 | johnmoore chuckles
10:40 | Howard kicks into his Hollywood hype for Starbucks partnerships with the film industry
11:27 | johnmoore breaks down the Starbucks Hollywood marketing initiative
13:06 | Howard buzzes about Starbucks movie marketing partnership with Akeelah and the Bee
15:18 | johnmoore issues a caution for Starbucks marketers

Comments

[Jennifer Woodard Maderazo]

This is the first "audio blog" I've listened to, but I was tempted by the insider voice in off on a typically boring earnings call. I really liked it! I hope you do more.

[Ben McConnell]

I love it Dr. Latte.

[Paul Walker]

bravo. that was cool.

[johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy)]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback.

[Mike Rowell]

I enjoyed it immensely. I'll look forward to more...

Maybe try it with similar speeches/presentations from other companies?

[johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy)]

Thanks Mike. I've thought about applying the Earnings Call Commentary idea to other companies but it might not fly as well. Having spent 8 years at Starbucks, I am intimately familar with the company and thus can usually add relevant context to discussions on its quarterly earnings call. I could do the same, albeit to a lesser extent, with Whole Foods Market since I spent time there as well. Since I have "insider" knowledge of SBUX and WFM, I can more easily add relevant commentary. I might struggle to add such relevant "insider" commentary to earnings calls say from DELL or Pepsi. Neverthess ... I may try and branch out my earnings call commentary to include other businesses. Thanks for the idea.

[Gary]

I guess you're writing your own labels for your own commentary, so you must be right, but are you knocking the entire Hear Music concept, or just the part about "burning CDs"? I agree that seems kind of lame - in fact it never has made it to my part of the world.

I expected Starbucks executives to sound more - peppy - somehow...

[johnmoore (from Brand Autopsy)]

Gary ... my commentary on the AudioBlog knocks the CD-burning dimension of Hear Music. But I credit Hear Music for having a significant impact on introducing emerging artists by highlighting how Antigone Rising went from being unknown to being the opening act for a leg of the current Rolling Stones tour.

[Matt Steele in the Hour of Chaos]

Often, a company or organization can propel themselves into greatness when they uniquely offer something that no one else can offer in a style which no one else can dupllicate.

I congratulate you for entering that realm.

[Eric Weaver]

Brilliant, brilliant idea. MST3K for investor calls! LOVE IT.