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Best Buy Launches DTV Facebook Application and Microsite to Help People Prepare For the Digital Television Transition

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 August 2008, 12:00 CDT

Best Buy, the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, today announced the launch of two new digital programs to help prepare consumers for the analog to digital broadcast transition (DTV) taking place on February 17, 2009. The microsite, www.askablueshirt.com, gives consumers access to Best Buy home theater professionals and DTV-related educational information. In addition, the company also launched an interactive application on the social networking site Facebook, which boasts 90 million active users worldwide, to further promote DTV awareness.

"With the transition date approaching, we want to do whatever we can to help educate people about their options," said Mike Mohan, senior vice president of consumer electronics for Best Buy. "The Facebook application and our microsite will reach out to new audiences with this message, encouraging young people to make sure they are ready for DTV, and to help family and friends who have not yet prepared."

Less Than 200 Days Away From the DTV Transition: Best Buy Offers Additional Resources for Consumer Education

Askablueshirt.com features several unique resources for consumers including a blog forum and a frequently asked questions section based on the insights of Best Buy salespeople who answer these questions everyday. The DTV blog provides a medium for Best Buy BlueShirt specialists to communicate with consumers and answer questions about the DTV transition. The subject matter ranges from how to participate in the coupon program established by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to the benefits of a digital broadcast signal. Consumers also have the opportunity to post comments and responses to the blog posts. Visitors to the site will be able to forward the information to others to educate and assist friends and family members on making the transition.

The Best Buy Facebook application was developed to further engage consumers and utilize a "teach the teacher" concept of reaching additional audiences impacted by the DTV transition. The quiz mixes entertaining questions about popular TV shows from the '80's and 90's and incorporates DTV-related questions for an educational component. The "forward to a friend" Facebook feature encourages the application users to pass-along the information to other friends as well as educate older family members about the transition. Consumers can download the application from either Facebook or askablueshirt.com.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe and China, Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy Co., Inc. 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, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, and Speakeasy. Approximately 150,000 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 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 Co., Inc., visit www.bestbuyinc.com.

Source: Business Wire

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