Thursday 27 January 2011

Drinks: The New Starbucks Logo -- Siren Out of the Ring


Well, not exactly a today's news but may not be one that people in Hong Kong will have easily noticed. Starbucks is changing logo once more after nearly 20 years with the previous one.  What interests me is the change in the design of the logo over the Starbucks lifespan -- and that is, there isn't really much change! To me, it has only been the siren that is moving closer and closer, or getting bigger and bigger. What will it be like in the future?
Image from signature9.com
Honestly, I'm a fan of the Starbucks Coffee, so no matter how the logo changes, I will still go there for drinks, but with one single colour in the new logo, I do feel that it is a little too plain. 

Image from polkadot.it
Beside from changing the logo, there is something more of course. Starbucks is launching a new 'Trenta' size. In Italian, 'Trenta' means 30 and 'Venti' means 20, but they are really just names, because the former is in fact 31 ounce, so, it should have been 'Trentuno', while the latter is in fact 24-ounce so it should have been 'Ventiquattro'. This might be a big news for the coffee lovers, who have always been wanting more, but do not be happy too soon, Starbucks has no near-term plan of launching this size in Hong Kong yet. However, when they do launch it in Hong Kong, I think it will attract more people, or specifically couples, because this cup is double of the 'Tall' size, will make it just enough for either one.

Two people sharing one cup? Sounds financially beneficial! But definitely too much for just one person.

Image from huffpost.com
Fun Fact: -- Siren
The Siren, by John William
Waterhouse (circa 1900),
depicted as a fish-chimera.
Image from Wikipedia
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.


Vocabulary:
lifespan -- (n) [C]
the length of time for which a person, animal or thing exists
near-term -- (adj) Of, for, or involving a short period of time in the near future
seductress -- (n) [C]
a female seducer who persuades someone to have sex with you, often someone younger than you, who has little experience of sex
lure -- (vb)  [T]
to persuade someone to do something or go somewhere by offering them something exciting
enchanting -- (adj) very pleasant
shipwreck -- (n)  [C or U] (also wreck)
an accident in which a ship is destroyed or sunk at sea, especially by hitting rocks, or a ship which has been destroyed or sunk in such an accident


Resources:
Drinks: Coffee Mania @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/09/health-and-fitness-coffee.html


Starbucks logo change: No name. More mermaid. Will it sell more coffee?
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/new-economy/2011/0106/Starbucks-logo-change-No-name.-More-mermaid.-Will-it-sell-more-coffee

Move over 'Venti,' Starbucks now has 'Trenta' size
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/01/19/11/move-over-venti-starbucks-now-has-trenta-size

Why Starbucks' Move to Brand Minimalism Is Part of Bigger Trend
http://adage.com/smallagency/post?article_id=148060

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lifespan
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/near-term
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/seductress
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/seduce_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lure_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/enchanting
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shipwreck_1