Companies Plan to Bring Ice Cream Innovations Inspired by Starbucks(R) Coffee and Coffeehouse Flavors to Consumers in the U.S. and Canada

SEATTLE & ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Sep 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) and Unilever (NYSE:UN)(NYSE:UL)
today announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the manufacturing,
marketing and distribution of Starbucks(R)
ice cream in the U.S. and Canada. The agreement leverages Starbucks
coffee expertise and passion for innovation and Unilever's
capabilities as the leading global manufacturer and marketer of ice
cream, strengthening the companies'
super-premium positions in the more than $17 billion ice cream category
in the U.S. and Canada.

"Unilever's
industry-leading innovation and commitment to social responsibility with
brands like Ben & Jerry's are well-aligned
with our values and vision for the business,"
said Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks Global Consumer Products,
Starbucks Foodservice and Seattle's Best
Coffee. "This relationship will enable us to
introduce exciting new products and extend the Starbucks Experience
to a larger base of consumers."

Starbucks(R) ice cream
was first introduced in 1996, at which time it quickly became a leading
brand of coffee ice cream in the U.S. Starbucks ice cream is made with
only high-quality arabica coffee, purchased and roasted in
accordance with Starbucks stringent standards. The company proudly
offers a variety of other coffee-related products to consumers around
the world through grocery, convenience and other retail channels. These
products include bottled Starbucks Frappuccino(R)
beverages, Starbucks Doubleshot(R)
drinks, Starbucks Discoveries(R)
chilled cup coffees, Starbucks(TM)
Liqueurs, Starbucks(R)
Chocolate and a complete line of packaged coffees.

In addition to Ben & Jerry's(R),
Unilever's iconic ice cream brands in North
America include Breyers(R),
Good Humor(R), Klondike(R)
and Popsicle(R). For
Starbucks ice cream, Unilever will employ its world-class research &
development and creative resources to produce super-premium ice cream
innovations inspired by Starbucks(R)
coffee and classic coffeehouse flavors.

"Ice cream is a core strategic category for
Unilever, generating more than $6 billion in annual sales for us
globally," said Peter Ter Kulve, Unilever
Senior Vice President, Global Ice Cream. "Starbucks
is recognized around the world for its high-quality coffee and
innovative approach to products, and thus Starbucks-branded
super-premium ice cream is a perfect complement to our portfolio. We
look forward to working together to deliver a signature and unparalleled
frozen dessert experience to consumers."

The companies' ice cream licensing agreement
builds upon an existing relationship for the manufacturing, marketing
and distribution of Starbucks(R)
Tazo(R) ready-to-drink
(RTD) beverages, which was announced last month. Starbucks and the
Pepsi/Lipton Tea Partnership (PLP), a joint venture between Unilever and
PepsiCo, signed a licensing agreement to manage the product line.

"We are excited that Starbucks has chosen to
extend and deepen its partnership with Unilever,"
said James Wong, Vice President, Business Development, Unilever
Americas. "Further strengthening this
collaboration allows us the opportunity to gain additional momentum in
our North American ice cream business, building on our superior global
scale and experience."

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically
sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the
world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier
roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our
unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring
the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer
through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our
stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

About Unilever

Unilever's mission is to add vitality to
life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care
with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of
life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions
to purchase Unilever products. In the United States, the portfolio
includes brand icons such as: Axe, "all,"
Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal
care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Promise, Skippy,
Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding
brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of
Companies. Unilever employs more than 14,000 people inthe United States
and Puerto Rico -- generating nearly $11
billion in sales in 2007. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

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SOURCE: Starbucks Coffee Company

Starbucks Coffee Company 
Alan Hilowitz/Elise Chisholm, 206-318-7100 
press@starbucks.com 
http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/sbux.shtml 
or 
Unilever 
Anita Larsen/Dean Mastrojohn, 201-894-7760 
mediarelations.usa@unilever.com

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