That ‘Game of Thrones’ coffee cup is worth at least $250,000 to Starbucks

The show eventually responded to the cup controversy on Monday night through the official “Game of Thrones” Twitter account, joking that the latte was a “mistake” because Daenerys “had ordered an herbal tea.”

And by Tuesday morning, the offending cup had been digitally removed from the episode on HBO Go, which HBO confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter.
Still, the related memes that sprang forth may mean big money for Starbucks SBUX, +0.67% .
Stacy Jones, CEO of Hollywood Branded, which specializes in product placement and other entertainment marketing campaigns, told MarketWatch that HBO doesn’t accept pay for product placement in its shows because customers are subscribing to an ad-free experience in signing up for the premium cable network. But, if it did, and if “Thrones” took place in a contemporary setting where it made sense to slip in a Starbucks reference, then intentionally placing that cup in front of Daenerys would cost $250,000 in product-placement fees. (Neither Starbucks nor “Game of Thrones” responded to MarketWatch’s request for comment.)