EXHIBIT
99
For Immediate Release
Contact: Laurie Bauer, Best Buy Co., Inc.
(612) 947-2450
laurie.bauer@bestbuy.com
Best Buy Appoints New Board Member
Schwab E-business Executive Joins Best Buy's Board of Directors
Minneapolis, March 29, 2000—Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) today announced that Mark C. Thompson, 43, has been added
to the Board of Directors. Thompson, a cited E-business expert, brings widespread experience in marketing, technology, and E-business to Best Buy's Board. Currently, he is executive producer for
Schwab.com, the world's largest E-commerce site.
"Thompson's
knowledge and E-commerce expertise was the driving force in the clicks and mortar business development at Charles Schwab", said Chairman & CEO Richard M. Schulze. "His addition to our
Board strengthens our Directors' knowledge and understanding of internet opportunity and customer relations marketing and service. Thompson's presence on our Board will provide a meaningful dimension
of knowledge and experience for our management team."
In
addition to serving as an advisor to Chairman Charles R. Schwab, Thompson has served as a member and investor on numerous start-up E-business boards. His experience has tapped into governmental
service with the U.S. Securities and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce E-commerce & Technology Policy Committee, as well as board member for Interwoven, Inc. Thompson is a graduate of Stanford
University.
Thompson
will serve on Best Buy Board's audit committee. He replaces board member David H. Starr. The Board accepted Starr's resignation after he accepted the senior vice president—CIO
position at 3Com Corporation creating a conflict of interest. 3Com is a vendor partner of Best Buy.
Minneapolis-based
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NSYE: BBY) is the nation's largest volume specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. The Company
operates 357 stores in 39 states, and offers CDs, DVD movies and giftcards online at http://www.BestBuy.com.
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