#PSL

Mmmm. The always delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte, intrigues our taste buds and warms our heart, to mention one of the biggest trends during the month of October. I will admit it, I am a sucker for the classic Instagram shot of the crisp white cup with the magical green mermaid jumping right out at you. I will also admit, that although I love the image that Starbucks portrays, I do not like coffee. I love the idea, but hate the taste.

Just the other day I was making a solo road trip to Columbus Ohio for a few days.  I left  immediately after my advertising class where we talked about trends; going green,  TOMS, “YOLO”, crop tops and of course #PSLs, Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks. And although I am not a fan of coffee, I had to agree, the idea of a warm spicy festive drink sounds so nice when we think about that so called picturesque walk underneath the colorful trees with our significant other. Sounds wonderful, although I don’t know how often the truly happens. Either way, I was recklessly driving on 70 West for Ohio where I had more than enough time to let my mind run free.

As I glanced around at the warm colors and thought about the previous discussion we had in class I was a little inspired. With my acquired taste for coffee still in the developmental stages, I decided to take a risk while on the road, and purchase my first, yes, very first overpriced, #PSL.  I hopped back in the car, continued to listen to the Sigh No More album by Mumford and Sons and drove down 70. At that point I had to  say, the scent of the #PSL was completely appropriate for the current mood that was carrying on. I sipped and drove.

The warm, spicy and rustic taste was indeed a hit with my taste buds. But, as I enjoyed this fall time favorite I continued to think to myself, it isn’t so much the drink itself that we love, it is the idea that we are holding a Pumpkin Spice Latte in our hand, with the fall scenery around us and fall activities to look forward too, as well as the relationship we build with Starbucks and their drinks.  But lets face it, thank the lord there are festive trends and brand relationships. I mean there is no possible way I could be sitting out on a patio on a warm summer night drinking this.

Whether you love the drink for its taste or for the pure idea of a #PSL,  that doesn’t mean that the #PSL trend wasn’t enormously genius. And Starbucks does extraordinary job building and maintaining a relationship with their consumers and its brand during this time.

As fall arrives every year, we can always count on Starbucks to officially release its #PSL. It’s reliability with its products and consumers creates the first step in developing a strong brand relationship. As consumers, we remain loyal. Every fall season we return to for our  favorite spicy drink.

Thank about it, sitting around a camp fire, a cool night for Friday night lights, or that afternoon walk under the colorful tree canopy… and a Pumpkin Spice Latte. It all seems totally necessary.

While delicious and necessary, its true. Many of us have a love/hate relationship with trends, but without them our ability to be festive would be difficult.  #PSLs and apple-cider in the fall, egg-nog and peppermint in the winter, Shamrock shakes in February,  lemonades and other cool and refreshing drinks in the summer. Without them holidays and other festive times of the year would not be as greatly appreciated. And let’s face it, we all know we love snapping pictures of all these festive treats and posting them on social networks so everyone else understands just how festive we are.

Not mention that relationship we build with Starbucks during this time. We can always count on them to prepare the most festive drinks; Peppermint Mochas during Christmas time or passion fruit teas in the summer. They are loyal and we are loyal right back. Not matter what time of year it is we flock for our drink to maintain a reliable relationship with one of America’s coffee geniuses and trendsetter for top ranking fall foliage drink.