Celebrating 50 years of nurturing the human spirit

Focusing on the next fifty

Since 1971, Starbucks has been committed to a single mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time.

This mission was never more important than in 2021, when Starbucks’ 50th anniversary coincided with a moment where people were longing to reconnect over coffee.

While most brands would use a milestone like this to reflect on the past, we chose to focus on the future—the optimism we see in the next 50 years, and the values we stand for to help us achieve it.

We created a 3-part, year-long campaign that showed the world what’s possible.

Possible is just the beginning

A series of anthemic 50th spots focused on what is possible in every beginning. Beginnings that happen in our stores, our hearts, and beyond. Each spot explored what we have made possible and what we will make possible in the future.

Shorter cutdowns distilled the energy of human connection and how, just like Starbucks, it can uplift the everyday.

Broadcasting purpose through every platform

We launched the campaign during the Olympics, a global moment of unity and renewal. Each spot highlighted Starbucks’ people-first initiatives like full tuition coverage and daily food donations. On social and digital, we educated Gen Z on our sustainability commitments by launching reusable cup kiosks and sharing our pledge to replant 100 million trees by 2025 while honoring a heritage rooted in impact and connection.