Starbucks Gossip tells readers how to win free coffee for life. You do it by solving crossword puzzles.
Starbucks Coffee has enlisted puzzle master Will Shortz to create six crossword puzzles for a competition called “The Ultimate Coffeehouse Crossword Challenge.” Starting this Sunday a special crossword puzzle will appear in the Sunday Edition of the New York Times sold at Starbucks Coffee.
It’s not entirely clear how you win, but there seems to be a treasure hunt involved as is usually the case with these types of competitions. The final instructions will be included with the final puzzle.
[...] I didn’t make it to a Starbucks today to try to pick up the puzzle for the crossword competition, but from what I’m reading in some blogs, maybe it wouldn’t have been woth the effort anyway. I’ll try to see if I can get a puzzle tomorrow. [...]
well from the second puzzle of the contest, its obvious this is mainly a marketing scheme to gain cross synergy between the starbucks and nytimes brands. today’s puzzle was remarkably easy and not up to the usual ny times snuff. crossword regulars won’t be challenged much. hopefully the mysterious puzzle 6 will be worth the wait and effort.
I agree. I’m wondering if the puzzles will increase in difficulty as the competition continues. Like puzzles in the NYT as the week progresses.
I’ve got all but puzzles one and four…but the “seventh” in today’s paper does indeed require all six puzzles to solve. The puzzle contest has been progressively trickier.
Having a bit of trouble with puzzle #6. I mean I did the puzzle but the 7 hints are what’s throwing me. I managed to decode some of them but I’m left scratching my head. Any help would be appreciated.
I mention in a later post that the best place for hints is Doug’s blog. I would say that if you’re stuck on the hints, you may need to read through last Sunday’s edition of the NYT.