Starbucks Looks to Seattle's Best to Help Turn Things Around†

Michelle Gass to Lead Separate Unit for Brand

Advertising Age, September 14, 2009 — Starbucks is looking beyond its own brand to help transform the company.

CEO Howard Schultz has described Seattle's Best Coffee, which Starbucks acquired in 2003, as a big opportunity for the company as a whole. Now Seattle's Best will have Michelle Gass, one of Mr. Schultz's most-trusted advisers, at the helm. Ms. Gass is a 13-year company veteran and architect of Starbucks' multibillion-dollar Frappuccino franchise.