Starbucks Ventures Into the Film Industry With Launch of Its Own Movie Studio

The coffee giant revealed its entry into Hollywood with the launch of Starbucks Studios. This move aligns Starbucks with a growing trend with various brands, including LVMH and Mailchimp, venturing into the production space.

A statement featured on Starbucks’ website highlighted the company’s longstanding commitment to championing storytelling. In the statement, Christy Cain, the vice president of brand and partnerships marketing at Starbucks, emphasized the company’s dedication to nurturing “human connection and joy,” noting that the production company will enable it to forward that journey and “nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.”

She stated, “We’re honored to have the opportunity to shine a light on the stories and people who inspire us, from young, emerging artists to innovators, changemakers and others who are making a positive impact on the world.”

However, Starbucks isn’t setting out on this venture in solitude. The coffee chain will team up with Sugar23, a media company established by Michael Sugar, an Academy Award-winning producer renowned for movies such as “Spotlight” and “Collateral Beauty.” Sugar specializes in facilitating connections between brands and the entertainment industry.

“Storytelling is deeply ingrained in what Starbucks does, and Starbucks Studios is a natural extension of these efforts,” Sugar said. “Together, we will harness the power of storytelling to foster connections, inspire change, and build a stronger sense of community. We’re excited to work alongside the incredible Starbucks team and invite all our collaborators in Hollywood and beyond to join us in creating premium entertainment.”

Though it might appear ambitious, Starbucks has been diversifying its ventures in a range of different directions. In April, it revealed a fresh global leadership initiative, and the company is vigorously putting efforts behind plans to establish thousands of additional stores across the globe, both within and beyond the borders of the U.S.