Just a quick note on something I witnessed during a recent visit to Starbucks: plastic models of prepared food.  Can this be true?  I was waiting in line for premium coffee and there, looking out at me through the glass was a unkempt and extremely fake set of “hot” breakfast offerings on plates - in the same cooler with a lot of other “room temperature” delights.  It was almost like a twisted version of a Geico commercial  only instead of a beady eyed bundle of cash, it was a injection molded breakfast sandwich. Is it possible that Starbucks, once masters of the cohesive 360 degree brand experience have fallen so low that they didn’t recognize that this feeble attempt might not resonate? One of the equities that Starbucks boasts as a brand is the above average sophistication of its core consumer. A core that still values this amazing brand in this era of recession and personal trade-down?  I do not go to Starbucks to purchase hot breakfast sandwiches, but rather, to purchase, premium coffee in a better than average retail atmosphere. I could be open to considering a Starbucks breakfast sandwich, but (and that's a big but - pardon pun) I felt it my duty to record my reaction as a brand strategist - there must be a better way display this offering. Better for the offering itself and better for the rest of your offerings as well...