Barnie’s Coffee & Tea held a pep rally this month in Baldwin Park for the Orlando Magic playoff run and to announce its new limited-time-only coffee appropriately named Orlando Magic Blend.

The rally generated coverage from NBA Web sites, Orlando TV, The Orlando Sentinel and even far away coffee trades. From a pure public relations standpoint, the event was a huge hit. Barnie’s Coffee & Tea owner Phil Jones was gracious and charming with the crowd as they waited to get autographs from former Magic Player Bo Outlaw, get pictures taken with the Magic Girls or spin the Magic prize wheel.

But the real hit of this event cannot be judged solely by media coverage or the number of blue & white Magic Blend coffee bags sold. The best word-of-mouth advertising came from a group of school children from Audobon Park Elementary School, who took a lunch break from their studies and visited with the Magic Girls and played with Stuff. The kids too young for Orlando Magic Blend quenched their thirst with tasty peach lemonade.

A few days after the event, Barnie’s received hand-written notes from the kids thanking them for the event and expressing the fun they had. Those notes can now be seen at the Baldwin Park Store for all Magic and Barnie’s fans to enjoy.

Goes to show you: Uplifting the community provides its own great PR.

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