Starbucks has announced it will give away 50 million free digital tracks via its 10,000 US coffee houses to promote its new alliance with iTunes, which will enable owners of the new iPod Touch device to access music via a WiFi network at selected Starbucks stores.
The free tracks will be distributed as 'song of the day' cards, of which 1.5 million will be distributed each day throughout October. The cards will enable Starbucks customers to download a free track from one of 37 featured artists via the iTunes store. Participating artists include Joss Stone, Dave Matthews, Annie Lennox plus two artists signed to Starbucks' own Hear Music label, Paul McCartney and Joni Mitchell.
Starbucks will also start selling special 'digital release cards' via its stores, which will allow customers to download full albums via iTunes and get extra bonus material only available to card holders. KT Tunstall's new long player 'Drastic Fantastic' and the soundtrack to the film 'Into The Wild' will both feature as part of that promotion.