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Magic Johnson Voices Support for @15MINNEAPOLIS --(Business Wire)-- Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) today unveiled a new TSA ("Teen Service Announcement") featuring basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson at www.at15.com. Johnson participated in the TSA as an early and passionate supporter of @15, a new teen-led social change platform underwritten by Best Buy to give teens a voice and give them opportunities to direct the company's philanthropy through the newly-created @15 Fund. "There were all sorts of chances and times that I could have gotten into trouble, but instead of turning right, I turned left," Johnson says in his online TSA. "You should dream high, because I'm a big believer that if you don't dream it, you can't become it. Life passes you by so fast. So, enjoy the moment. Enjoy the time." In addition to serving as the chairman and chief executive officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), Johnson is currently vice president and part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. A version of the @15 TSA will begin airing during Lakers games within the next month. Like a traditional PSA, the @15 TSAs are short, unscripted videos that share the collective thoughts and experiences of teens - and former teens - with messages of hope and inspiration for America's youth. Over the next several months, the @15 Web site, along with its social networking pages and YouTube channel, will feature messages from teens engaged in Best Buy programs, celebrities and musicians, and Members of Congress. As part of Best Buy's commitment to partnerships with leading nonprofits to engage teens, the company entered into a multi-year relationship with MJE in February 2008. Through this strategic relationship, Best Buy hopes to deepen its relationships with multicultural customers and work to empower urban youth throughout the country. About @15 Best Buy believes in the power of teens, and @15 is a new platform to connect with them, give voice to their perspectives, and invest our resources - including the energy and talents of our employees - to turn their ideas into action and support their efforts to lead social change. Teens bring passion and enthusiasm to tackling tough issues. They're also important to our business - they shop in our stores, and they're our future employees. There's a real opportunity to listen to - and learn from - what teens have to say. And through the @15 Fund, we'll put the philanthropic power of @15 directly into their hands. To learn more, visit www.at15.com. About Best Buy Co., Inc. With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $40 billion annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, The Phone House and Speakeasy. Approximately 165,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2008, we donated a combined $31.8 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuyinc.com. |
