Starbucks Card and Vespa Get Customers Moving with Italian-Themed Promotion; Vespa Tours of Tuscany Among Top Prizes

Business Wire, Feb 26, 2003

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SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 2003

Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) and Piaggio USA, manufacturer of the world-famous Vespa motor scooter, have partnered for the "Starbucks Stirs You, Vespa Moves You" Sweepstakes. The promotion offers registered Starbucks Card users the opportunity to win loaded Starbucks Cards and Vespa-themed Italian vacations and prizes.

"The inspiration for Starbucks hand-crafted espresso beverages comes from Italy, and it gives us great satisfaction to connect our origins with an Italian icon: the Vespa motor scooter," says Anne Saunders, vice president of Starbucks Interactive. "Whether they are sharing a cup of perfectly blended coffee in a Starbucks coffeehouse or cruising the open road on a Vespa, customers of both companies enjoy similar experiences of friendship, inspiration and discovery."

Starbucks Card holders can enter to win prizes in the "Starbucks Stirs You, Vespa Moves You" Sweepstakes by making purchases or reloads on their registered Starbucks Cards from February 26 through April 22, 2003. Each registered Card transaction will automatically enter customers in weekly drawings for loaded Starbucks Cards and for the overall drawing to win Starbucks Cards, Vespa motorscooters and Vespa-themed prizes.

There is no purchase, transaction or obligation necessary to enter or to win a prize. Starbucks customers wishing to enter without a purchase should refer to the Official Rules posted in participating Starbucks locations or at www.starbucks.com. Winners for the overall drawing will be selected on or about April 30, 2003 in a random drawing from eligible entries.

Grand Prize and First Prize winners will receive exciting Italian vacations to tour the scenic Tuscan countryside on Vespa motor scooters. They'll also win Vespa ET2s when they return home, as well as loaded Starbucks Cards, helmets, goggles, leather messenger bags and locks. Customers can now register up to three Starbucks Cards and view full sweepstakes rules and prize listings by visiting www.starbucks.com. Customers can register up to one card by calling 1-800-STARBUC. In the event that a Card becomes misplaced, lost or stolen, customers can simply call the toll-free number to obtain a new one.

"The sweepstakes seamlessly integrates two very similar experiences--the Starbucks coffee culture and the Vespa lifestyle," says Costantino Sambuy, President and CEO of Piaggio USA. "Like Starbucks, Vespa embodies a celebration of the finest elements of Italian culture by enabling the enjoyment of life's simple pleasures."

Italy, the birthplace of the Vespa and the inspiration for Starbucks coffeehouses, is also currently reflected in numerous themed offerings at Starbucks retail locations. For the Italian experience by the cupful, Starbucks offers the Italian Trio pack of whole bean coffees featuring Caffe Verona, Italian Roast and Espresso Roast, the quintessential Italian coffee experience for coffee aficionados. In addition, Starbucks Deruta hand-painted serveware reflects the romantic heritage of Italian coffee and culture. The popular, automated Saeco Italia(TM) home espresso machine showcases the best in sleek and modern Italian design and efficiency.

About Starbucks

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 6,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business. In addition to its retail operations, the Company produces and sells bottled Frappuccino(R) coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot(TM) coffee drink, and a line of superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships. The Company's other brands enhance the Starbucks Experience through best-of-class products: Tazo Tea Company offers a line of innovative premium teas, and Hear Music produces and distributes a line of exceptional compact discs.

About Vespa

Manufactured in Tuscany, Italy, the Vespa was designed in 1946 by Enrico Piaggio as a transportation solution for postwar Italy. Vespa models start at $2,999 and are available in nine stunning colors. Well-balanced, lightweight and maneuverable, the Vespa is the quintessential urban vehicle, imparting a sense of freedom and independence while remaining environmentally conscious with an average fuel consumption of 40-60 miles per gallon in city traffic.

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