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WATCH: Starbucks says it'll pay its baristas to make TikToks

Starbucks is launching a new initiative this summer that allows baristas to earn a direct share of advertising revenue from company-approved videos posted on the social media platform TikTok.

Key Points

  • Starbucks baristas will be eligible to receive a portion of ad revenue starting in summer 2026.
  • All content created by employees must receive official approval from Starbucks before publication.
  • The program aims to leverage employee-generated content to boost the brand's presence on TikTok.
  • The initiative was announced on July 8, 2026, as part of the company's evolving digital marketing strategy.

Why it Matters

This program represents a significant shift in corporate marketing by turning frontline employees into official brand influencers. By incentivizing staff to create content, Starbucks can potentially increase organic engagement while providing workers with a new, performance-based income stream.
Abcnews.com Published by ABC News
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