Starbucks to offer free iTunes Song of the Day

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 25 September 2007 02:23

Business IT - Technology

Starbucks will kick off its iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store collaboration with Apple by giving away its Song of the Day for just over five weeks.

While the Wi-Fi Store only goes live at 600 stores in New York and Seattle on October 2, customers at all 10,000 US locations may receive cards redeemable at the iTunes Store for specific free songs.

Artists whose songs will be part of the promotion include Frederico Aubele, Band of Horses, Sara Bareilles, Bob Dylan, Bebel Gilberto, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, Hilary McRae, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, Sia, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall, and Keith Urban.

1.5 million downloads will be given away per day during the promotion, and the cards will be valid until the end of the year, by which time the Wi-Fi Store rollout will extend to San Francisco. Los Angeles and Chicago will be added in the first quarter of 2008.

Each day's free song will be available on a "while supplies last" basis.

Additional free songs will be available via the Starbucks Card Plus Two - a reloadable prepaid/gift card that will include the buyer's choice of two downloads from the iTunes Store.

The promotion is to draw attention to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, which allows Starbucks customers to buy and download music via the in-house wireless network without having to log into the hotspot. This service is especially convenient for iPhone and iPod touch owners.

A "Now Playing" feature will allow customers to purchase the music currently playing in the store.