What grade does Wharton Marketing Professor Americus Reed give Starbucks in their brand crisis management strategy? Last week, two African American men were arrested at a local Philadelphia Starbucks on the grounds of trespassing while waiting for a 3rd man to arrive for a business meeting. Starbucks declined to press charges and the men were released, but a national conversation has been ignited over racial discrimination by Starbucks at large. Professor and host Americus Reed dissects the incidents and resulting steps taken by Starbucks to make the situation right on Marketing Matters.

Comments

New This Week

How Mortgage Lock-In Is Quietly Pushing Up House Prices

How Mortgage Lock-In Is Quietly Pushing Up House Prices

June 16, 20266 min read

A new paper co-authored by Wharton’s Lu Liu argues that homeowners stuck with low fixed mortgage rates aren’t just frozen in place — they’re propping up the housing market.

Does Q&A Boost Engagement?

Does Q&A Boost Engagement?

June 16, 20266 min read

When is friction a good thing? When it helps drive curiosity for more information, according to a Wharton study.

2026 Best Countries Index

2026 Best Countries Index

June 16, 202616 min read

The newly released 2026 Best Countries Index ranks 85 countries on 73 attributes across categories including entrepreneurship, openness for business, quality of life, power, and cultural influence.