Unfriend enemies (in chocolate)

The forward-thinking lexicographers of Oxford Dictionary recently announced the success of ‘unfriend’ as its Word of the Year 2009.

How apt considering the successful uptake of social networking in our industry this year and the bubbling rivalry of the world’s biggest chocolate brands.

To ‘unfriend’ is to remove someone as a friend from popular social networks such as Facebook. I wonder if, taking into account the waves made by Kraft, Nestlé, Hershey and Ferrero recently, a considerable amount of ‘unfriending’ isn’t going on behind closed doors.

Friends reuniting are Hershey and Ferrero, who may combine to offer a friendly bid for the Cadbury business (the share price of which looks sweeter each passing day).

Kraft Foods, on the other hand, may unfriend everybody simply out of spite, as its hostile bid for Cadbury didn’t go down too well recently. And let’s face it, hostility doesn’t work when it comes to successful social networking.

I suspect Todd Stitzer, Cadbury’s chief executive, will welcome a bid tabled by Hershey based on the fact that the two companies have, to stretch the analogy, ‘poked’ one another in the past, and have enjoyed a productive relationship since.

But Nestlé is also poking around, which may determine how quickly the long-running chocolate saga will be over once and for all. And then there’ll probably be another round of unfriending. And what a shame as Christmas approaches.

Starbucks on Conduit Street

I’ve booked a Christmas trip to London – an overnight stay – and aside from ice-skating, breakfast at Smiths of Smithfield and a visit to the Apple Store, I’m going to add a trip to Starbucks to my to-do list.

You think I’m a little desperate, right? I mean, there are so many things to see and do in London other than drop in on a simple coffee shop. Yet, I work in the food and beverage industry, and there’s nothing that gets me excited more than innovation, whether it’s a new product, a new concept or a new way of thinking.

Starbucks has opened what can best be described as a ‘departure’ for the company in terms of branding. It’s still Starbucks, judging from the video, yet it’s more upmarket. I’m keen to take a look, especially as it’s clearly going for a more communal look and feel, which I’m a big fan of (check out that long table!).

I’m still a fan of Costa coffee, particularly its award-winning cappuccino, yet I’m willing to forego loyalty in this instance, even if it is for just one night in The Smoke.

See you there.