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Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 07:10 AM

I guess it still works for them, but to me, it speaks of a nauseating amount of artificially colored sugar, and I can't cross the threshold. What seems to make their company still viable is hot fresh coffee on the go, maybe with a pastry on the side if you missed a meal. A poor-man's Starbuck's, often with late-night hours. That's something to be, but the brand still speaks to me of a box of sugar on Saturday morning for families with five or more children in 1976.

Ceetar Oct 03 2012 07:24 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

well, they SELL a nauseating* amount of sugar. That's their product. Even their coffee is sorta bland without it. Coolatas and Donuts and what not. hell, many of them team up with Baskin Robbins. *I've never once in my life been nauseated by sugar. My sweet tooth would make a Mammoth feel inept.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 03 2012 07:51 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

DD is kicking ass as a biz today, they have found a demographic niche among adults-in-a-hurry-who-find-Starbucks-too-expensive-and-McDonalds-too-gauche (AIAHWFSTEAMTGs). At the same time they've pared their biz model of practically any costs to operate. They need only a few hundred square feet and 2 or 3 people, a coffee maker, a refrigerator and a microwave and they are good to go, lots of franchisees ready to give it a shot thanks to all that advertising they do, and lots of growth ahead of them since they're primarily a Northeast biz but have an appetite to expand nationally and internationally.

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 07:54 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Oh, yeah, I don't doubt that it's a great franchise to own if you don't mind dodging bullets late at night. I just don't think their logo speaks to what they've become.

cooby Oct 03 2012 07:55 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

You know, I could prolly do that here at home.... Our Dunkin Donuts recently did a update, but I haven't been in yet. Maybe put in a griddle or something for their yucky sounding breakfast sandwiches

batmagadanleadoff Oct 03 2012 08:12 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Benjamin Grimm Oct 03 2012 08:15 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I was in Granada, Spain a couple of years ago and saw a store with the familiar orange-and-pink lettering in the familiar font, but the place was called DUNKIN' COFFEE instead of DUNKIN' DONUTS.

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 08:45 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I always like to dunk my coffee into my donut.

metirish Oct 03 2012 08:47 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I think my niece said she saw one in London.....the coffee isn't bad, I rather like it except I always tell them NOT to shovel in the sugar.....tow spoons to them = about ten to me..... The few times I have had McDonalds coffee I liked it.... I have NEVER been inside a Starbucks.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 03 2012 09:10 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

whoa.

Ceetar Oct 03 2012 09:11 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

metirish wrote: I think my niece said she saw one in London.....the coffee isn't bad, I rather like it except I always tell them NOT to shovel in the sugar.....tow spoons to them = about ten to me..... The few times I have had McDonalds coffee I liked it.... I have NEVER been inside a Starbucks. I've now been inside a Starbucks in at least 4 countries (not sure if I did Canada.)

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 09:15 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: whoa. Told you he's hardcore. He sticks to the drive-thru window. Anyhow, I'm not ripping the Dunkers here. I just think they'd do well to orient their logo toward adults who need their working fuel rather than kids looking for candy. Who do you think could stand to update their brand?

metsmarathon Oct 03 2012 09:18 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

metirish wrote: I have NEVER been inside a Starbucks. always the hipster...

metirish Oct 03 2012 09:19 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I should say part of the reason I have never been inside a Starbucks in 1) there are none around me in Pelham Bay , 2) I think historically I have felt intimidated by the concept, I mean, can you ask for a regular coffee without some stuck up name? 3) not enamored with paying $5 for a coffee . I have had Starbucks coffee at work, which I didn't like and assume is not at all like in store.

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 09:24 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Starbucks coffee is very strong, with a sharp taste. I'm an addict. I personally don't like Dunkin' Donuts coffee - it always seems to have a weird aftertaste to me. But I have friends who feel the opposite way. Tim Horton's coffee is pretty good, FWIW.

Ceetar Oct 03 2012 09:28 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

metirish wrote: I should say part of the reason I have never been inside a Starbucks in 1) there are none around me in Pelham Bay , 2) I think historically I have felt intimidated by the concept, I mean, can you ask for a regular coffee without some stuck up name? 3) not enamored with paying $5 for a coffee . I have had Starbucks coffee at work, which I didn't like and assume is not at all like in store. the fancy stuff is intimidating the first time, but then, if you don't drink lattes and macchiatos it's going to be intimidating anyway, and I think perhaps America as a whole wasn't as acquainted with the terms originally. Other than the sizing system not being small/medium/large (not that those are usually any more descriptive) if you go in and order a coffee, you'll get a coffee. Rarely will they ask if you want a lighter or darker roast. I usually get bold/dark roast. I think the general consensus is Starbucks is a little more bitter/roastier than most coffee and many don't care for that. I find Dunkin weak and watery myself, but I know my tastes aren't average. I think a large/20oz is $2.25 or so. Probably was insane originally but many places seem to match their pricing these days. Relatedly, Starbucks is a company that perhaps could use with a brand update. not logo so much, but they keep trying to push the borders of 'coffee house' with things like sandwiches and fresh breakfast and I'm not sure it helps. Maybe the recent blond roast thing is better along the lines though. I always associated Tim Hortons with a glorified Dunkin Donuts. Didn't drink coffee much while I was up in Buffalo where they had it though, and haven't worked in the City since they added it there so I don't know.

Ceetar Oct 03 2012 09:44 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

"we accept EUROS but only Banknote and the change will be in Czech Crowns.

batmagadanleadoff Oct 03 2012 09:51 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

metirish wrote: can you ask for a regular coffee without some stuck up name? I rarely drink coffee. I can go years without having a cup. But I've been to Starbucks a few times and whenever I ordered, I always asked for either a small, medium or large. I know exactly whatchoo mean.

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 09:54 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Ceetar wrote: I always associated Tim Hortons with a glorified Dunkin Donuts. It is, but their coffee doesn't have the aftertaste that I don't like at Dunkin' Donuts. Plus they have maple donuts - yum!

Fman99 Oct 03 2012 10:05 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I would say the exact opposite. I enjoy DD coffee, though I do add some Splenda to mine as a rule. Starbucks coffee tastes burnt to me.

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 10:23 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I concede the burnt quality to Starbuck's taste, but I like it.

cooby Oct 03 2012 11:32 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Ugh! Maple!

Nymr83 Oct 03 2012 11:48 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I hate starbucks coffee, that burnt taste makes me add about 5 sugars. I drink Dunkin with no sugar, just milk.

seawolf17 Oct 03 2012 12:31 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Nymr83 wrote: I hate starbucks coffee, that burnt taste makes me add about 5 sugars. I drink Dunkin with no sugar, just milk. This.

TransMonk Oct 03 2012 12:36 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I've never been inside a Starbucks. I haven't seen the inside of a Dunkin' Donuts since the Mets' last world championship either. Even dressed up with sugar and milk, I can't stomach coffee. I hear it's for closers anyway.

Swan Swan H Oct 03 2012 12:53 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I'm good for 5-6 cups a day - black, no sugar. DD's coffee tastes like used bathwater. I'm with MF - I like the roast at Starbucks. Panera's French Roast and Au Bon Pain's robust blend (whatever they call it) are also good. At home we usually use coffee from Fairway - their house blend is good, and they sell another called Benny's Blend that I like. As for the original premise, I agree with Edgy. Dunkin' Donuts is still about donuts as much as Abercrombie and Fitch is still about fishing rods.

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 01:26 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Closers?

Swan Swan H Oct 03 2012 01:46 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

[youtube:1ysrimti]r6Lf8GtMe4M[/youtube:1ysrimti]

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 01:49 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Gotcha

TransMonk Oct 03 2012 01:49 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

One of my favorite movies of all time.

metirish Oct 03 2012 03:21 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

One of my favorite movies of all time. released twenty years ago yesterday good article on the movie http://deadspin.com/5946630/walk-like-a ... ross-at-20

Ashie62 Oct 03 2012 05:25 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: Oh, yeah, I don't doubt that it's a great franchise to own if you don't mind dodging bullets late at night. I just don't think their logo speaks to what they've become. They have become tremendously profitable.

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 05:47 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I think that's been acknowledged coming and going. This ain't never going to morph into the conversation I meant to have.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 03 2012 08:39 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

not for awhile anyway.

SteveJRogers Oct 03 2012 09:00 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Simple, classic, great design. Though it could stand a modernization upgrade after some nearly 50 years of use. Though I must say, it does say something that it withstood the EXTREME logo era of the 1980s-1990s.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 03 2012 10:28 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

1) Dunkin's logo is globally recognizable at this point, though-- any change to meet aesthetic desires would come with a huge, maybe inestimable pricetag. Would a mild, more-grown-up-y color change work for you? 2) Holy hell, people-who've-never-been-inside-a-Starbucks-- haven't you ever had to use a public restroom in midtown (NYC or a foreign capital)? 3) This could probably use a makeover:

Mets – Willets Point Oct 03 2012 11:58 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: 1) Dunkin's logo is globally recognizable at this point, though-- any change to meet aesthetic desires would come with a huge, maybe inestimable pricetag. Would a mild, more-grown-up-y color change work for you? If they changed the color scheme they would have to redecorate a half-million outlets in Boston alone.

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 07:20 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Soften the ballony edges on your two D's a little, not so much that you rend the association with the old, however. Set one in the color of dark coffee, one in the color of light coffee. And surround them with some shakey lines to represent the jolt. Voila. Gimme a minute.

seawolf17 Oct 04 2012 07:22 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Logopedia says they've only used the pink/orange since 1980, which is admittedly nearly my entire life, but that's not as old as you think. And they've added/updated the cup on the side.

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 07:41 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

That's certainly a start. But it's still anachronistic relative to what they represent, for my money. But, seeing the monstrosity I just rendered, it's probably important to remind myself to keep the day job.

RealityChuck Oct 04 2012 07:55 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Well, Starbucks sells coffee*, so I have no reason to go there. (Though their oatmeal is better than I would have expected.) Dunkin' Donuts is the only place where you can get decent donuts around here. The only other choice is supermarket donuts. But Dunkin Donuts has gone downhilll the past few years, selling fewer varieties of donuts (and, of course, cutting out the ones that made them stand out, like creme filled, chocolate creme filled, and cherry cake) in favor of other items. Their bagels are acceptable when toasted (but nothing like a really good one) and their wake-up wrap is disheartening (my daughter was with me the first time I bought one, and asked if the egg was really polenta). The problem is that DnD has updated their brand, and all for the worse. *Well, not really. Starbucks isn't in the business of selling coffee; it's in the business of selling milk. Note that the less coffee you get, the more expensive the item.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 04 2012 08:08 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

If I were the guess I'd say the brand-management people at DD are very happy with their logo right now and have definitely moved to "own" the admittedly odd combination of pink/orange as its signature scheme, much like Starbucks fiercely protects their forest green and McDonald's it's red-yellow and Pennzoil its yellow, etc etc etc. There was a time when it seemed that DD didn't care about its colors, and you'd see it in deeper shades of pink and browns. But it's all about conformity these days. The bulbous "Ds" make for door handles at their stores by the way. DD has gone down the toilet IMO, they of course do all their prep offsite, every donut is exactly like the others, every store exactly like the other. Their coffee is basically Folgers/Maxwell House, one of the big food companies that took over their retail effort.

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 08:14 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Yeah, I wonder if taking a few haymakers from Krispy Kreme showed them the economic wisdom of acting like a bakery, but doing the prep offsite. I agree that part of the goal of branding consultants is making anachronistic old ideas a point of identifiable pride. I still think adults --- at least those who don't collect My Pretty Ponies --- find the pink and orange to be a distasteful clash. So, what's to be done about Chiquita?

Mets – Willets Point Oct 04 2012 08:20 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: That's certainly a start. But it's still anachronistic relative to what they represent, for my money. But, seeing the monstrosity I just rendered, it's probably important to remind myself to keep the day job. Wow, that screams 1980s!

Ceetar Oct 04 2012 08:22 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: So, what's to be done about Chiquita? Problem with Chiquita is it's just a small sticker on a banana usually at a place where you only have the one choice of bananas. Where's the motivation to update?

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 08:28 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Edgy DC wrote: That's certainly a start. But it's still anachronistic relative to what they represent, for my money. But, seeing the monstrosity I just rendered, it's probably important to remind myself to keep the day job. Wow, that screams 1980s! Were electric jolts really so pixilated in the 1980s?

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 08:30 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: So, what's to be done about Chiquita? Problem with Chiquita is it's just a small sticker on a banana usually at a place where you only have the one choice of bananas. Where's the motivation to update? Well, something that says we are making an effort to no longer work with terrorists might be nice.

Swan Swan H Oct 04 2012 08:31 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

This is a pretty good blog about branding changes. They also have a B-side blog with smaller articles, more mentions than reviews. The commenters are pretty full of themselves, but that actually makes it more fun for me to read, not having any training or experience in design or marketing myself.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 04 2012 09:01 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: Edgy DC wrote: So, what's to be done about Chiquita? Problem with Chiquita is it's just a small sticker on a banana usually at a place where you only have the one choice of bananas. Where's the motivation to update? Well, something that says we are making an effort to no longer work with terrorists might be nice. A sad-but-resolute CarmenMirandaface in red, white and blue?

Ceetar Oct 04 2012 09:28 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: Edgy DC wrote: So, what's to be done about Chiquita? Problem with Chiquita is it's just a small sticker on a banana usually at a place where you only have the one choice of bananas. Where's the motivation to update? Well, something that says we are making an effort to no longer work with terrorists might be nice. Well, does the image suggest that? does the company? I have no idea what you're talking about, and imagine neither do most of it's customers.

SteveJRogers Oct 04 2012 10:04 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: Edgy DC wrote: That's certainly a start. But it's still anachronistic relative to what they represent, for my money. But, seeing the monstrosity I just rendered, it's probably important to remind myself to keep the day job. Wow, that screams 1980s! Were electric jolts really so pixilated in the 1980s? I associate it with the 1990s, but then again Shea was adorned by bracketed neon players in 1988, so the trend was there.

cooby Oct 04 2012 10:08 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Whatever happened to Mister Donut? (quite off topic, sorry)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 04 2012 10:14 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/4600/f2_t4634.shtml

cooby Oct 04 2012 10:32 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

LOL, good memory Widey; we are undoubtedly a donut eating group

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 04 2012 10:40 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Ceetar wrote: Ceetar wrote: So, what's to be done about Chiquita? Problem with Chiquita is it's just a small sticker on a banana usually at a place where you only have the one choice of bananas. Where's the motivation to update? Well, something that says we are making an effort to no longer work with terrorists might be nice. Well, does the image suggest that? does the company? I have no idea what you're talking about, and imagine neither do most of it's customers. Payoffs to FARC in Colombia.

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 11:52 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

What I'm talking about is that they have a history of working with terrorists. Recent, too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiquita_B ... ary_groups

Ceetar Oct 04 2012 12:01 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: What I'm talking about is that they have a history of working with terrorists. Recent, too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiquita_B ... ary_groups great, now I'm going to feel guilty buying bananas. a facelift/brand smoothing won't change that fact though.

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 12:15 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

If they're reputed to have cleaned up their act, and it reflects that cleaning, it certainly could.

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 12:16 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Payoffs to FARC in Colombia. Other side of the spectrum, actually. This is a right-wing army.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 04 2012 12:17 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Ceetar Oct 04 2012 12:17 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Edgy DC wrote: If they're reputed to have cleaned up their act, and it reflects that cleaning, it certainly could. could happen without the brand change. I think company operations and brand marketing are very different things. But along the same lines, Chick Fil A fits too.

Frayed Knot Oct 04 2012 01:02 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Did Proctor & Gamble ever get rid of the logo that proved they're a company dedicated to devil worshipping?

Edgy MD Oct 04 2012 01:11 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: If they're reputed to have cleaned up their act, and it reflects that cleaning, it certainly could. could happen without the brand change. I think company operations and brand marketing are very different things. But along the same lines, Chick Fil A fits too. Of course it could. We're going in circles. Again. Good job, Ben Grimm.

seawolf17 Oct 04 2012 01:17 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I want donuts now.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 04 2012 01:55 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Dunkin Donuts is part of The Carlisle Group so they also support terrorism.

soupcan Oct 04 2012 02:44 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I have a friend that used to work for a bank that specialized in loans to prospective Dunkin' Donuts franchisees. As a result he had some knowledge about the company. Told me that the donuts don't mean shit to the company. They make all their money on the coffee. They buy it so cheaply and the mark-up is just unbelievably high. The only reason they have food at all is just to get people into the store so they'll buy coffee. When they redesigned the logo to make the coffee cup more prominent it was with the idea that they be thought of as more of a place to get coffee - and if you're so inclined we have donuts too. Starbucks - if all you want is a black coffee, just tell the Barrista (lol) that you want a tall (small), grande (medium) or vent (large) 'drip'. Easy. They have three different roasts -light, medium or dark. You can specify that if you want as well. No need to be intimidated. If you want to put the counter people on their toes, ask for a (whatever size you want) 'red eye'. It's fairly common coffee house slang for a 'drip' with a shot of espresso. Some of those kids that work at Starbucks know the term, some don't and if they don't and YOU have to explain it to them, then You Da Man. I used to drink black coffee, no milk no sugar all day long until my cardiologist told me I'd wind up with a heart that would win body building contests. Guess what? A heavily muscled heart is NOT a good thing. Now I'll have at least one 'Redeye' and maybe one more regular coffee (still no milk and sugar) the rest of the day. I do like the taste though so I will have a few decafs. Love Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glenross. I thought he stole the movie with that scene. And when you consider that the cast of thast movie included Pacino, Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris and Kevin Spacey that is no small feat.

Ceetar Oct 04 2012 02:53 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

soupcan wrote: I used to drink black coffee, no milk no sugar all day long until my cardiologist told me I'd wind up with a heart that would win body building contests. Guess what? A heavily muscled heart is NOT a good thing. Now I'll have at least one 'Redeye' and maybe one more regular coffee (still no milk and sugar) the rest of the day. I do like the taste though so I will have a few decafs. . Black, and often tons of it. Had a redeye once before I was really into coffee and I thought it was a cool named latte/mocha style thing. Maybe I should try it again. I've never been to a cardiologist though. Sometimes I think maybe i have too much caffeine, and I generally try to stay away from it in the afternoon if i'm planning on exercising. it seems to exasperate the nasty workout headaches I get.

DocTee Oct 04 2012 04:25 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Makeovers needed: 1. Aunt Jemima 2. Uncle Ben

Chad Ochoseis Oct 04 2012 04:49 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

This is interesting: Wikipedia wrote: Marketing origins When white South Carolina planters were unable to make their rice crops thrive, “slaves from West Africa’s rice region tutored planters in growing the crop.”[6] Uncle Ben’s products carry the image of an elderly African-American man dressed in a bow tie, said to have been the visage of a Chicago maitre d’hotel named Frank Brown.[7] According to Mars, Uncle Ben was an African-American rice grower known for the quality of his rice. Gordon L. Harwell, an entrepreneur who had supplied rice to the armed forces in World War II, chose the name Uncle Ben’s as a means to expand his marketing efforts to the general public.[8] Uncle Ben's promotion In March 2007, Uncle Ben's image was "promoted" to the "chairman of the board" by a new advertising campaign designed to distance the brand from its iconography depicting a domestic servant.

RealityChuck Oct 04 2012 09:22 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Not to mention:

themetfairy Oct 05 2012 06:43 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Related to our coffee discussion -

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 05 2012 07:46 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I cut back on Joe a little -- I almost never drink the stuff after 3 pm and then, only a small cup from the work keurig machine. I cut back on Starbucks in '08 when I spent a year+ coming to work every day convinced I was about to be laid off. Replaced that with the work kuerig machine as well, and even as the situation got better here I didn't resume the habit. I still love a great cuppa though, and seek 'em out on weekends. We also keep in good beans which we grind at home.

Ceetar Oct 05 2012 07:52 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I cut back on Joe a little -- I almost never drink the stuff after 3 pm and then, only a small cup from the work keurig machine. I cut back on Starbucks in '08 when I spent a year+ coming to work every day convinced I was about to be laid off. Replaced that with the work kuerig machine as well, and even as the situation got better here I didn't resume the habit. I still love a great cuppa though, and seek 'em out on weekends. We also keep in good beans which we grind at home. I have a coffee of the month subscription to Kauai Coffee Company that I grind the night before for consumption in the morning when I'm not too lazy. I drink less coffee when I do this, probably because having good stuff and then supplementing it with crap from the office pot is nauseating. I'm probably addicted now, but I drink more out of habit and because I enjoy the taste. It doesn't really seem to wake me up or keep me going or any of the magical properties people seem to apply to caffeine.

soupcan Oct 05 2012 08:29 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

-Technically my profession is considered #10, but really I'm on the fringes of that. -I work in the northeast -And of the professions that drink it black - I'm not one, but I do work with judges and attorneys daily.

cooby Oct 05 2012 08:58 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Well, metirish? LOL BTW, not to sound dumb but what is the diff between a health care professional and a nurse?

seawolf17 Oct 05 2012 09:06 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I saw that chart recently. I'm 2 AND 3, and a little bit of 4 also. And I work at a university full of 1s, 5s, 6s, and 8s. There's no hope for me.

Ceetar Oct 05 2012 09:17 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I don't don't if scientist encompasses 'cubicle dwelling techie' because then I'm number 1 otherwise not on the list. Which is weird to me. Can you imagine Wally or Dilbert without coffee? the urban legend is that the web cam was invented by computer guys that wanted to see if the pot of coffee was ready without getting up from their desk. It's true in my office too, the guys that most drink coffee are all the programmer types, and the less techie types don't as much.

themetfairy Oct 05 2012 09:26 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

A health care professional can be a technician, a therapist, a physician's assistant, etc. BTW, I definitely run better on caffeine. I don't necessarily drink coffee before a race, but I do have caffeine pills. I generally don't use them for 5Ks, but they are life savers for half marathons; when I lose my focus, they get my head back in the race.

soupcan Oct 05 2012 09:27 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

themetfairy wrote: I definitely run better on caffeine. I don't necessarily drink coffee before a race, but I do have caffeine pills. I generally don't use them for 5Ks, but they are life savers for half marathons; when I lose my focus, they get my head back in the race. Nice. metfairy on PEDs . What has the world come to?

themetfairy Oct 05 2012 09:28 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

It's a legal PED. Trust me, I checked.

metsmarathon Oct 05 2012 09:47 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

caffeine was on hte prohibited list of substances by the WADA as recently as 2004, and was removed primarily because of its ubiquity in socially consumed beverages. it is still subject to the WADA monitoring program, where they keep an eye on it for noticeable trends - to see if athletes are starting to use it and what not. there's no global misuse of it, though its use is generally increasing in athletes (duh, 5 hour energy and red bull and all that other shit) however, at the NCAA level, caffeine is banned if hte concentration in hte urine is greater than 15 ug/ml (micrograms per mililiter) from suite101.com: Caffeine as a Banned Substance Caffeine is on the list of banned substances for the NCAA. The fact that athletes need to be aware of is that caffeine is banned if the concentration in the urine exceeds 15 micrograms per milliliter. According to Houglum, J., Harrelson, G., and Leaver-Dunn, D., (Principles of Pharmacology for Athletic Trainers, 2005), ingesting 9 mg/kg can result in a positive urine test. This means that the amount of caffeine ingestion that would be safe is related to the amount of body mass of the individual. An athlete weighing 50 kg (110 pounds) could test positive with as little as 450mg of caffeine or two 12 ounce Starbucks coffees (520 mg of caffeine). An athlete weighing 85 kg (187 pounds) could test positive with 765mg of caffeine or two 16 ounce Starbucks coffees (660 mg of caffeine) and one 16 ounce Rockstar (160mg). Athletes who drink energy drinks need to also be aware that most energy drinks contain two servings per can which doubles the amount of caffeine on the label.

metsmarathon Oct 05 2012 09:51 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

hey, where does engineer fall on the spectrum?

themetfairy Oct 05 2012 10:10 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

There goes my college eligibility, I guess....

Mets – Willets Point Oct 05 2012 10:19 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

metsmarathon's post reminds me that I just heard yesterday about Josh Hamilton's excessive caffeine consumption that lead to an eye injury. That guy does nothing in half-measures.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 05 2012 10:28 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

cooby wrote: Well, metirish? LOL BTW, not to sound dumb but what is the diff between a health care professional and a nurse? "Nurse" = nurse "Health care administrator" = hospital management/insurance employee And Cee-- if you're hitting the java every day, you might be surprised how much you've come to rely on the coffee physically if you suddenly stop.

Frayed Knot Oct 05 2012 12:44 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

If I were to add up all the cups, the partials, the tastes, sips, etc. of coffee I've had in my life it would probably total somewhere between 1 and 2 cups. The work chart is funny because when people found out I don't drink it I was told that once I started working I'd have no choice but to drink coffee. And then, with the manual labor of my teenage years behind me, it was 'well once you start an office job' you'll develop a yen for coffee. And so on. I did used to go into Starbucks all the time. They sold a great Sunday NY Times.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 05 2012 01:35 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I've never become a coffee drinker either. I've had it a few times when nothing better was available. Maybe a lifetime total of five or six cups. I get my caffeine from tea (or "hot tea" as they call it in the south) and cola.

Ceetar Oct 05 2012 01:36 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

It's an odd way, but I blame Guinness and roasty flavored stouts for getting me into coffee.

Edgy MD Oct 05 2012 01:40 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I've never become a coffee drinker either. I've had it a few times when nothing better was available. Maybe a lifetime total of five or six cups. I get my caffeine from tea (or "hot tea" as they call it in the south) and cola. ^ Me. ^ It really hurt me in college, but I discovered the tea option by junior year and saved my ass.

Edgy MD Oct 05 2012 01:44 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Did going from to improve your perception of the product or fumble away a retro-classick?

batmagadanleadoff Oct 05 2012 01:51 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Sacramento? When did they leave Cincinnati?

seawolf17 Oct 05 2012 01:52 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Cincinnati? When did they leave Rochester?

metirish Oct 05 2012 01:55 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I drink two cups in the morning at work...if I have time....which I usually do...first one at 8am, second one could be anywhere from 9:30 to 10:30.......

batmagadanleadoff Oct 05 2012 02:01 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

seawolf17 wrote: Cincinnati? When did they leave Rochester? Royals? When did they change their name from the Seagrams?

Frayed Knot Oct 05 2012 08:46 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I've never become a coffee drinker either. I've had it a few times when nothing better was available. Maybe a lifetime total of five or six cups. So did you used to get, as I often did, attempts at "re-education" from the coffee mafia? For some reason, the fact that I don't drink coffee has really bothered people at various times. Maybe the funniest suggestion, funny even though it was meant in all seriousness, was that, even though I didn't like the stuff, I should force a cup down every day until I reached the point where I no longer despised it. And I'm thinking; 'now why the hell would I do that?' The other theory was that I must have been raised oddly by non coffee drinking parents. Nope. Both drank it several times a day (less often in later years) always caffeinated, always black, and for as long as I can remember.

Ceetar Oct 06 2012 06:12 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Frayed Knot wrote: . Maybe the funniest suggestion, funny even though it was meant in all seriousness, was that, even though I didn't like the stuff, I should force a cup down every day until I reached the point where I no longer despised it. And I'm thinking; 'now why the hell would I do that?' That's what people tell me about diet soda when I tell them i hate that fake sugar chemical aftertaste.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 06 2012 07:10 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I haven't heard that "you'll get used to it" pitch about coffee, but I have heard it about beer. I don't like beer, and never felt that I needed to force myself to "acquire a taste for it."

Ceetar Oct 06 2012 07:18 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I haven't heard that "you'll get used to it" pitch about coffee, but I have heard it about beer. I don't like beer, and never felt that I needed to force myself to "acquire a taste for it." don't get me started, I have things to do this morning. But saying you don't like beer is often like saying you don't like fruit. It's a rather broad category.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 06 2012 07:21 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I've had enough beer to know that I don't like it. Just like I don't have to sample the liver of every species on the planet to know that I don't like liver.

batmagadanleadoff Oct 06 2012 07:53 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Same here. I don't drink beer. It's not a health decision, or a moral one. It just doesn't taste good to me. I get no pleasure from beer.

Ceetar Oct 06 2012 08:21 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I've had enough beer to know that I don't like it. Just like I don't have to sample the liver of every species on the planet to know that I don't like liver. i imagine liver tastes much liver, but I've never had. I don't think everyone should drink beer or that they should force themselves to acquire a taste for it.(Does that work? Isn't it like forcing yourself to like bacon by eating it constantly? I know you can probably get used to the malty alcohol undertones of mass produced "beer-flavored" stuff, but that's not what I'm talking about) I love it and really enjoy it, but everyone's different. No one's life is lacking because they didn't go ga-ga for the bottle of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout they just found at the liquor store. (seriously, I'm a kid in a candy store sometimes..) But there are just so many different tastes, and some of them are so different that If someone tasted it without knowing what it was they probably wouldn't even say "Woah, there's a beer I like" they'd say "what is this?" Granted, most beers have at least a recognizably fermented grain flavor in them somewhere, but a lot of times I feel like people saying they don't like beer have had a couple mass produced products that are barely beer, or weird stuff that someone preachy was trying to get them to try because they like it. (IPAs, with their crazy bitterness sometimes, are not for the faint of heart much like the first time you have wings you don't go for the super-atomic) I suspect there's a beer style out there that just about everyone can enjoy. Of course finding out that a person actually does enjoy a rich cherry lambic is not quite making them 'like beer' anymore than someone enjoying a hummus and cucumber sandwich for lunch is a vegetarian.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 06 2012 09:08 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I'm on Team Ceetar here. Any particular strain of coffee is much more similar tasting to all other strains of coffee than any particular beer is to other kinds of beer. Crisp saisons taste more like a dry, earthy champagne than Bud or Guinness; that rich cherry Lambic tastes more like mild, fresh fruit liqueur than The Most Interesting Man In The World's Favorite Hoppy Beverage. You don't need to have beer, granted, but frankly-- I know this sounds presumptuous-- if you don't object to the taste of alcohol or, say, sharp fruit, I assure you that there is a beer or ten out there that you probably like.

SteveJRogers Oct 06 2012 09:20 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Not to speak for Ben, but I have a feeling the perception of people turned off to the taste of beer is based on the mass produced cheap domestic lagers. In other words the crap that people, mostly college students or younger, drink because it's cheap and easy to drink mass quantities of to the point that you are so schnockered that you don't realize how crappy the swill you are drinking actually is. Anyway, more on topic, you'd think now that they are European that Budweiser would finally do a makeover for their main brand.

Swan Swan H Oct 06 2012 09:40 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Bringing this back to branding, I think all you need to know about Coors Light is that their advertising tends to feature the packaging rather than the product.

seawolf17 Oct 07 2012 02:10 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I've just started drinking beer. It's funny -- after my mom died, the alcoholism thing was kinda lifted off my shoulders.

MFS62 Oct 07 2012 02:18 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Speaking of beer advertsing, I heard a radio ad for Miller Lite yesterday. At the end, the announcer was listing the places that serve it (New York station). He listed about six or seven in a row in Hoboken. Named them all off rapid fire, restaurant-city, restaurant-city, etc. But he pronounced the name of the city as Ho-BOW-kun. Each time. I've always heard it pronounced as HO-bow-kun. (Back to the days when we learned that Frank Sinatra was from there.) Jersey folks, how do you pronounce it? Later

seawolf17 Oct 07 2012 02:24 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Black 47 go with Ho-BOW-ken in "Green Suede Shoes."

Ceetar Oct 07 2012 02:48 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

I'm not sure. the difference is somewhat subtle isn't it? leaning towards HO-bow-kun.

Ashie62 Oct 07 2012 03:08 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

seawolf17 wrote: I've just started drinking beer. It's funny -- after my mom died, the alcoholism thing was kinda lifted off my shoulders. BOC Shit.. theres blood in my alcohol stream...

metsmarathon Oct 09 2012 09:04 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

i thought we recently had a how do you pronounce hoboken discussion...

Benjamin Grimm Oct 09 2012 09:19 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

That's BOW as in bow and arrow, not as in what you do when you get knighted. I've never known it to have a noticeable accent on either the first or second syllable.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 09 2012 09:29 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

When in doubt, go with Bugs Bunny: ho-BO-ken?!? I'm dyyyyin' again!

metsmarathon Oct 09 2012 09:52 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

try as i might, i could never adequately replicate the way my grandfather pronounced hoboken - hubba-k'n - i consider this still to be the correct way to say the word. however, since i was not an irish firefighter born and bred in jersey city, i could never reporoduce that way of speaking. and so, i call it hobo-k'n there is not an emphasis on the first syllable, except in retrospective comparison to the second syllable, and especially to the third. you don't intentionally stress the ho, you only realize that's how you've been doing it for the past fifteen minutes as you mouth over and over the word hoboken to yourself as you sit at your desk and hope none of your coworkers notice, or especially care. its a word that will drive you crazy the longer you contemplate it, so the best strategy is to just start saying it, and then get it over with. anything else attracts undue attention, and makes you look like a rube.

MFS62 Oct 11 2012 11:12 AM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

This wouldn't have made my list as needing an image touch-up. But it got one: http://news.yahoo.com/wendys-pigtails-f ... nance.html Later

metirish Oct 15 2012 01:25 PM Re: Folks Who Could Stand to Update Their Brand

Deadspin could do with updating their look at the least http://deadspin.com/ It looks likes sites did ten years ago.....