Starbucks (SBUX) and Apple (AAPL) team up on iTunes

One of the most exciting things about being an investor, analyst and writer is watching for really unique combinations. Today, one such combination presented itself. Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) will offer its customers, free of access charge, a direct tie in to Apple's iTunes store. Neither Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) nor Starbucks revealed the financial terms of the arrangement.

Whatever the terms are, neither company is going to make or break its quarterly or annual results because of the revenue potential from this deal. It really comes down to 2 excellent growth stories synergizing where it makes sense. Starbucks has been actively trying to develop other "revenue streams" besides its basic drink line-up. With CDs, DVDs and other novelty items for sale, Starbucks is taking advantage of dead-space in its store base and structuring high quality alliances is a high priority.

For Apple, it's just another feather in its cap. It's a potent distribution relationship for Apple and another avenue for the company to continue its dominance in the online music industry. iTunes has sold over 3 billion songs and counting. Smart move by both companies.

Georges Yared is the CIO of Yared Investment Research and the author of "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?"