Starting March 9, Starbucks kicks off eight weeks of coffee exploration by featuring a different bold coffee each week in its participating U.S. and Canada retail stores. Coffee lovers in the U.S. who purchase a brewed coffee every week and track their experience through a Coffee Journey Card will receive a free 1-pound of whole bean coffee.

Starbucks customers can join Conservation International (CI) to help protect forests and the life that exists within them – as well as fight climate change. Starting March 9 and through December 31, 2010, every time a customer pays with their new Conservation International Starbucks Card at participating stores in the U.S., Starbucks will donate five cents to CI to help protect forests.

Six months after Starbucks introduced Starbucks VIA Ready Brew in the U.S. and Canada the Company announced today it will launch Starbucks VIA throughout Company-operated and licensed locations in the U.K. on March 8 and Japan on April 14.

Burger King Corp. and Seattle’s Best Coffee, part of the Starbucks Corporation family of brands, announced they have signed an agreement to offer Seattle’s Best Coffee, in approximately 7,250 Burger King restaurants across the United States by September 2010.

The (RED) campaign aimed at raising awareness about fighting AIDS in Africa is growing bigger with new holiday additions on Facebook. Now you can kiss your lover, friends or relatives with (RED) lips. It’s not just a picture of a kiss, you hear all the romantic sounds, which can be heard when you give someone a smack. Then, you go and buy (RED) presents.

Starbucks are continuing its digital “invasion” and turning to social media as its major advertising platform. Despite the tough economical situation of the previous year, the coffee chain giant managed to raise its profits largely thanks to online promotion.

Starbucks announced that it will enter the ready-to-drink coffee category in Europe, an approximately US$550 million market. It has signed an agreement with Arla Foods for the manufacture, distribution and marketing of Starbucks-branded premium RTD coffee beverages in Europe. This new relationship complements Starbucks coffee expertise and experience in the ready-to-drink coffee category.

One of the biggest coffee shop chains, Starbucks, found its way to battle the recession — it raises prices, higher and higher. The brand is charging its loyal consumers with more and more money for the same range of products. The new strategy, announced yet in April, and now it is being implemented.

McDonald’s is plotting to lure more customers with its new service —free wireless Internet access at its U.S. restaurants. The step is made in accordance with the new policy of the fast-food chain’s transformation. The food brand is going to become a third place in its customers’ lives after home and work.

Starbucks, one of the most ardent supporter of the (RED) campaign, is encouraging more and more people join the movement and give a chance to live to African HIV positive people and fight AIDS on the southern continent. Now the coffee brand asks everybody to sing and give their voice to the campaign.

Last month Starbucks, the global coffee shop chain, launched a nice video story contest. The entrants from all around the world sent their stories, describing how working with Starbucks fits their lives. Now the voting is open!