Monday, September 24, 2007

My “Dear Starbucks” Letter

Dear Sir/Madam:

It has come to my attention that your company has signed on with recording artist Joni Mitchell, to release her new album called "Shine" in all of your stores. According to a report from Fox News, the album's title song is an attack of various beliefs and institutions which Ms Mitchell finds objectionable, including the "Catholic Church and all the prisons that it owns." I am writing to express my concern about this decision of yours.

But not for the reason you think. Well, not entirely.

It has probably missed the attention of those responsible for your market research, that approximately 21 percent of the population in the USA identifies itself as "Roman Catholic." Inasmuch as you are reaching out to international markets, the same would apply to roughly one-sixth of the world population. I should think that this would constitute a significant market share. Now, granted, it is possible that many of your Catholic patrons would enjoy your product enough to ignore the promotion of an artist who would offend their way of life. But how sure can you be?

And is it worth it to risk offending an audience this significant, even potentially, to promote the work of an artist whose contribution to popular music is such, that her career would likely continue to do very well without your help?

No offense. I look forward to hearing from you.

David L Alexander
Arlington, Virginia, USA
manwithblackhat at yahoo dot com
.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Eh... By now we know that when push comes to shove, making fun of Rome is ok...

Write a song critical of the abortion industry or not in line with the Will & Grace world view of the gay lifestyle (glamorous, fun, hip, funny, and healthy except for being a little neurotic) and you will be in trouble.

But I am cool with it. Rather I feel very good about it when I hear of such as Ms. Mitchell's silliness... If worldy people were NOT mocking the Catholic Church, chances are, it would mean we are NOT doing our job very well.

Besides, is anyone much interested in Joni these days? After Both Sides Now and
A Case of You, has there been anything to write home about in the last 30 years from her?