SEATTLE - Starbucks has further defined its vision for the Starbucks Digital Network, in partnership with Yahoo!, targeted to arrive in U.S. company-operated stores later this fall. First previewed in June, the Starbucks Digital Network will give Starbucks customers free access to a collection of premium digital content accessed through free, one-click Wi-Fi in Starbucks stores. Rodale, Nick Jr. Boost and DonorsChoose.org will join the previously announced content providers iTunes, The New York Times, Patch, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! and Zagat.
The Starbucks Digital Network is inspired by Starbucks passion for elevating the third place experience to create a unique coffeehouse environment, its heritage of recommending music, books, films and other culturally relevant works to its customers, and a growing worldwide interest in engaging with the brand digitally.
"We??re creating an online destination that will be true to, and expand upon, the Starbucks experience by delivering free, premium offerings that are selected specifically for our customers and localized for increased personal and community relevance," said Stephen Gillett, Starbucks CIO and general manager of Digital Ventures, in a press release. "To bring this to life, we partnered with Yahoo! to develop the platform as well as to power the search feature and contribute content."
The Starbucks Digital Network will give customers access to a one-of-a-kind destination featuring free access to various paid sites and services, exclusive content and previews, free downloads, career tools and local community news. Starting this fall, customers can explore and access this content via six different online "channels": News, Entertainment, Wellness, Business & Careers, My Neighborhood and Starbucks.
"Starbucks has pushed the boundaries of innovation for our customers for nearly 40 years, and with the Starbucks Digital Network we??re creating a compelling offering that engages our customers in a new way while they are in our stores - bridging our third place coffeehouse experience with the rapidly expanding digital world," said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and CEO. "It will enhance the time people spend in our stores online, provide a new way for us to connect with customers and overall share an experience that can only be found at Starbucks."