NSYNC’s A.J. McLean (left) and Backstreet Boy’s Joey Fatone (right) in the music video for ‘Iced Like My Coffee’ | Photo credit: Dunkin’
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NSYNC and Backstreet Boys alums release ‘Iced Like My Coffee’ single
NSYNC and Backstreet Boys alums Joey Fatone and A.J. McLean have released a coffee-inspired single ‘Iced Like My Coffee’ for US coffee chain Dunkin’. The track can be streamed on Spotify as part of Dunkin’s Iced EP, which also includes the songs ‘Don’t Dunk Away At My Heart’, ‘Refresher Season’ and ‘All I Need Is An Iced Coffee’.
The move is the latest high-profile marketing campaign by Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ and follows the ‘The DunKings’ Superbowl commercial in February 2024, which featured long-serving brand ambassador Ben Affleck alongside actor Matt Damon and NFL legend Tom Brady.
Uganda achieves record annual coffee exports
Uganda exported a record 6.13 million 60kg bags of coffee last year for $1.14bn, representing 6% year-on-year volume growth and a 35% increase in value. The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), a government body formed in 1991 to regulate, improve and promote the East African nation’s coffee industry, said the figures indicate the country is on track to produce 20 million 60 kg bags and earn $1.5bn from exports by 2030.
Starbucks and Mercedes-Benz to install EV chargers at 100 Westcoast stores
US coffee giant Starbucks has announced that high-power electric vehicle (EV) chargers will be installed at 100 of its stores on a 1,400-mile Interstate 5 route between Washington to California, as part of a new deal with German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz.
The Seattle-based coffee chain began an electric vehicle charging point rollout in the Pacific Northwest in August 2022 and currently offers on-site or adjacent charging facilities at more than 1,000 licensed and company-operated stores in the US.
DoorDash and Wing commence drone delivery pilot programme in Australia
Residents in more than 26 Melbourne suburbs can now order coffee via drone thanks to a new delivery partnership between DoorDash and Wing, which covers a range of restaurants and cafés in the Eastwood Shopping Centre. Wing, which also operates drone delivery services in the US, Finland and Ireland, said the trial covers its largest approved drone delivery area in Australia to date.
Coffee shop operators at Eastwood Shopping Centre include Espresso Emporium, Laurent, Bee Keen Café, Chatime, Foster & Black, Jamaica Blue, Muffin Break, Soul Origin, Starbucks and The Coffee Club.
Free Rein Coffee announced Mark Wahlberg as an investor and brand ambassador
US actor Mark Wahlberg has joined Texas-based coffee roaster Free Rein Coffee as an investorand brand ambassador. While the start-up did not provide details of Wahlberg’s investment, the actor said he shared Free Rein’s mission to ‘serve those who serve’. Founded in October 2023, Free Rein donates a portion of sales to the non-profit Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
Wahlberg, who co-owns 90-store US restaurant chain Wahlburgers with his brothers, has previously invested in bottled water brand Aquahydrate, secondhand footwear marketplace StockX, tequila brand Flecha Azul and fitness franchise F45.
