# Convenient Coffee Contributions The Starbucks Japan 'Share with a Friend' Promo is About Bonding By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-10-03 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/share-with-a-friend References: [japantrends](http://www.japantrends.com/starbucks-japan-celebrates-15-years-promotes-sharing/) & [starbucks.co.jp](http://www.starbucks.co.jp/en/) In honor of the company's fifteenth year abroad in Japan, [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-one-get-one-half-price-promo) has launched a new promotional initiative called 'Share with a Friend,' and the idea is luckily catching on among Nippon's most avid java tasters. Similar to liquor and beer, coffee has almost always been a traditionally social drink, enjoyed in good company as a way to foster comfort, comradery and conversation. In the spirit of that history, Starbucks' newest promo is bringing drinkers together. The 'Share with a Friend' program starts with the company's time-exclusive [double latte](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-valentines-day-drinks), which comes with a coupon sticker attached to the lid. The idea is to pass the sticker onto a close friend or relative, someone you'd enjoy sitting down with, who then redeems the coupon for a small coffee at any [Starbucks location in Japan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-joyful-medley). Considering my unabashed love of the hot stuff, I wouldn't mind if you sent some of those coupons my way. I am, after all, a virtual friend, right? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 25% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Social Coffee Culture:** Coffee brands can explore more innovative social initiatives to foster comfort, comradery and conversation among consumers. - **Coupon Marketing:** Brands across industries can adopt coupon stickers for their promotional campaigns to encourage consumer engagement and word of mouth marketing. - **Gamified Promotions:** Brands can explore more gamified promotional campaigns that leverage limited-time offerings and encourage sharing among consumers. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** Restaurants, cafes and bars can introduce more social promotions that foster community building and encourage consumers to share their experiences. - **Retail:** Retail brands can adopt coupon stickers for their in-store purchases, offering consumers an incentive to make repeat visits and share discounts with others. - **Hospitality:** Hotels and resorts can introduce more gamified promotions with limited-time offerings that encourage guests to share the brand and their experiences with friends and family on social media. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Buy-One-Share-One QSR Offers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-one-get-one-half-price-promo.md) - [Coffee Shop Grab Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japans-new-years-lucky-bag.md) - [Celebratory Retailer Coffee Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-coffeetogo.md) - [Seasonal Transition Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-go-beyond.md) - [Personalized Coffee Recaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2024-starbucks-blend.md) - [Playful Coffee Merch Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-x-mofusand.md) - [Layered Butterscotch Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caramelly-milk-coffee-frappuccino.md) - [Romantic Branded Cafe Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-valentines-day-collection.md) - [Cheeky Coffee Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-new-ads.md)