Winning Starbucks Partner Cup Designs Featured in Europe
Starbucks launched its Partner Cup Design Contest for partners (employees) in the U.S. and Canada, which concluded with three winning designs printed on reusable cups in North America stores in 2015.
A similar contest was announced in September for partners in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Three designs were selected as winners and are being featured on Starbucks paper cups in Europe during the month of April while supplies last.
“The U.S. contest inspired us to do something similar in EMEA,” said Ian Cranna, vice president of Marketing and Category, EMEA. “We wanted to recognize the gifted partners in our region and celebrate them with our customers.”
More than 350 partners submitted artwork for the contest. A group of judges from the Marketing, Communications and Store Operations teams reviewed the designs and selected the top five, which were presented to Starbucks UK leaders for the final evaluation.
“Our partners are very talented, which proved challenging as one of the final decision makers,” said Cranna. “The winning designs are so beautiful and represent all of the artistic partners who entered the contest.”
Three cup sizes – tall, grande and venti – each feature one of the winning designs that are bright and colorful with representations of flowers, butterflies and birds.
“We were looking for designs that captured the feeling of spring with colorful and uplifting shapes and patterns," Cranna said. “We were delighted have so many talented partners in our business enter and find winners in Haritos, Olya and Sandra."
The partners who took top honors in the contest include:
Olya Ravcheeva, Russia
Ravcheeva is a shift supervisor from Moscow. When she was seven years old, her brother went to art school and this encouraged her to follow in his footsteps. Ravcheeva studied art for five years before coming to work for Starbucks in 2014. Ravcheeva’s artwork can be found on Starbucks grande (16 fl oz) paper cup.
“When I got the contest results, I was so surprised and happy. I just couldn’t believe it,” said Ravcheeva. “I took part in the contest not to win, but to share my ideas. All partners in this contest had such cool art.”
Haritos Mountoufaris, Greece
Mountoufaris joined Starbucks as a barista in 2014. He remembers drawing at a very early age and has continued developing his artistic skills ever since. The inspiration for his design that appears on Starbucks tall (12 fl oz) paper cup comes from springtime in Greece when the cities and countryside are filled with flowers and chirping swallows.
“When I learned that I was a contest winner, I was so happy I screamed,” said Mountoufaris. “I am really excited to see people sharing pictures holding my cup design. It’s like I’m traveling around with them.”
Sandra Margveliani, UK
Margveliani is a barista in London who has been working for Starbucks since 2014. Her interest in art began when she was very young and today, she loves expressing her emotions through art in her free time.
“I love to see my bright flowers and a butterfly on Starbucks venti paper cups,” said Margveliani. “It’s a great pleasure. I’m lucky and very grateful.”
