Starbucks launched their platform My Starbucks Idea last year after criticism from customers about everything from coffee quality to interior decoration. It was a brilliant move to turn criticism into product and service development from their customers. Talk about Brand management.

This week we have seen the launch of two iPhone apps from Starbucks as a direct effect of customer feedback from their social network initiatives. There were already a couple of inofficial Starbucks apps, but these are way more powerful.

The MyStarbucks app lets customers locate stores and bookmark favorite locations. They can search by additional information, such as hours and amenities. It also includes the menu and nutritional information for Starbucks’s drinks, food and coffee beans, and a “drink builder” that displays nutritional information based on the selections.

Starbucks Card Mobile app lets customers check their balance, register their card, enjoy rewards, reload their card and even pay for drinks in selected stores. If the trial period is successful it will probably spread to the rest of the world. The mobile payment system is really interesting and could be huge for Starbucks.

This is what many other companies, organizations, communities, cities and municipalities should be doing. Get your customers or citizens involved, create and innovate together. It’s the best brand building you can do.