Martha Stewart has brought her signature charm to a new advertisement for Starbucks, where she playfully champions the much-loved Pumpkin Spice Latte. The well-known lifestyle icon, now 85 years old, was recently featured in a promotional video alongside actor Belmont Cameli, who is best known for his role in the Prime Video series “Off Campus.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Martha-Stewart-Belmont-Cameli-082426-d48f8b608a3f4465b876d6d21652a802.jpg)
In the light-hearted clip, Stewart is seen visiting a Starbucks branch and ordering the seasonal favourite. With her trademark wit, she quips about the drink saying, “Oh, Pumpkin Spice Latte? The drink that makes us all a little more basic.” While holding the comfortingly aromatic beverage, she remarks that it “smells like my house in the fall. It’s perfect,” capturing the essence of autumn in just a few words.
Cameli, who is 28 years old, then makes an appearance at the counter, asking for a straw. The two share a brief moment of eye contact before Cameli comments, “You would get it hot.” To this, Stewart casually responds with a hint of playful confusion, inquiring, “Should I know him?” before walking away, leaving Cameli to gaze after her with a wink.
Following the release of the video on August 24, Stewart made a fun revelation in the comments section of the post. She clarified that during the shoot, she was not interacting with Cameli directly but rather with a stand-in actor. “Wow! The actor I was interacting with while we shot the commercial was a different guy – a ‘stand in’. This guy is cuter!!!!” she playfully remarked, showing her signature sense of humour.
The advertisement has resonated well with “Off Campus” fans and Starbucks enthusiasts alike. Many viewers took to social media to express their appreciation, with comments highlighting the delightful chemistry between Stewart and Cameli. One viewer remarked, “I was just trying to have a normal Monday morning. 😍,” while another simply stated, “Welp. This just made PSL 1000000 times better. Very smart @starbucks 👏”.
Starbucks is officially launching its fall menu on August 25, which will feature a lineup of new drinks prominently centred around pumpkin flavours. In addition to the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, the menu will introduce an innovative Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, as well as Pumpkin Spice Chai and an Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha. Those looking for familiar options will be pleased to see the return of the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino as part of the seasonal offerings.
Further diversifying its autumn range, Starbucks is adding pecan beverages and banana bread-inspired creations to the menu. Among the novel introductions is a unique drink called “Chaider,” which cleverly combines the spiced flavours of chai with the sweet warmth of cider, inviting customers to explore new taste sensations.
The anticipation surrounding Starbucks’ seasonal menu is palpable, with consumers eager to indulge in their favourite flavours that signify the onset of fall. The addition of Stewart and Cameli’s playful exchange in the advertisement not only showcases the fun cultural moments that can accompany food and drink but also highlights the brand’s capacity to reinvent its image through clever promotional strategies.
In a time when many are seeking comfort and nostalgia through food and drink experiences, Starbucks has leveraged these sentiments by not just selling beverages, but also evoking memories and conversations tied to the seasonal changes. With October fast approaching, it seems the Pumpkin Spice Latte is set to not only warm hands but also hearts this year. As the campaign unfolds, many will undoubtedly be drawn into the festive spirit that this seasonal favourite promises to deliver.