mindSHIFT® Technologies, Inc. Completes White Glove Technologies, LLC Acquisition

Press release:

mindSHIFT® Technologies, Inc. Completes White Glove Technologies, LLC Acquisition

Purchase of White Glove extends mindSHIFT's reach to major markets throughout Texas WALTHAM, MASS. - July 10, 2012 - Leading managed service provider (MSP) mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc., said today that it has completed the acquisition of Austin, Tex.-based White Glove Technologies, LLC. The acquisition accelerates mindSHIFT's growth strategy by adding in-market managed IT services capabilities for small and mid-size businesses in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.  It is also evidence of the commitment of mindSHIFT's parent, Best Buy (NYSE:BBY), to support the growth of mindSHIFT across the United States and leverage the company's  proven business model of providing best-in-class IT outsourcing and cloud computing services. By combining the resources of a national IT services organization with local customer assistance, mindSHIFT is able to provide SMBs with highly secure data availability and reliable, hometown support. Established in 2008, White Glove Technologies, LLC provides managed IT and cloud services to nearly 300 clients and 10,000 managed devices for clients throughout Texas.  Like mindSHIFT, White Glove Technologies, LLC specializes in support for small and mid-size organizations across all industries including legal, healthcare, financial services, non-profit organizations, associations and education. With the acquisition, White Glove Technologies, LLC has been renamed mindSHIFT and will continue to operate under its current management team. mindSHIFT Technologies is an independent Best Buy business-to-business services company, employing a staff of over 600 people who support more than 5,700 clients from offices in Boston; Long Island, N.Y.; Minneapolis; Morrisville, N.C.; New York City; Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.  The MSP category leader for small and mid-size business, mindSHIFT has been named the top-ranked business in the MSP space in the U.S. for the past four years, and a leading worldwide MSP for three years by industry trade publication MSPmentor.  About mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc. mindSHIFT is one of the largest IT outsourcing and cloud managed services providers, serving small and mid-size businesses for more than 10 years. At mindSHIFT, we're about keeping your IT systems up and running, providing personal attention and making you more productive.  We're big enough to offer the facilities, services and expertise you expect, but small enough to provide the support and attention you demand. Learn more at www.mindSHIFT.com.

mindSHIFT® Technologies, Inc. and White Glove Technologies, LLC Sign Acquisition Agreement

Press release:

mindSHIFT® Technologies, Inc. and White Glove Technologies, LLC Sign Acquisition Agreement

Purchase of White Glove will extend mindSHIFT's reach to major markets throughout Texas  WALTHAM, MASS. - June 19, 2012 - Leading managed service provider (MSP) mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc., said today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Austin, Texas-based White Glove Technologies, LLC. The transaction accelerates mindSHIFT's U.S. growth strategy by adding in-market managed IT services capabilities for small-to-mid-size businesses in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.  "Combining the expertise of White Glove Technologies with our existing capabilities further extends mindSHIFT's reach within the $40 billion small and mid-sized business market," said Paul Chisholm, CEO of mindSHIFT.  "White Glove's IT services team brings the essential experience, talent and resources to the capabilities we have been building over the past decade and we're delighted to have them join our growing mindSHIFT organization." Established in 2008, White Glove Technologies, LLC provides managed IT services, and cloud services, to nearly 300 clients and 10,000 managed devices for clients throughout Texas.  Like mindSHIFT, White Glove Technologies, LLC specializes in support for small-to-mid-size clients in industries such as legal, healthcare, financial, non-profits, associations and education. With the acquisition, White Glove Technologies, LLC will be renamed mindSHIFT and continue to operate under its current management team. "We are very closely aligned with mindSHIFT in a focus on delivering superior service and genuine value to SMB clients," said Carey Balzer, president and co-founder of White Glove Technologies, LLC.  "This acquisition enables us to join a proven leader and contribute to mindSHIFT's continuing growth and evolution in the MSP space."   mindSHIFT Technologies is an independent Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) business-to-business services company, employing approximately 500 people who support more than 5,400 clients from offices in Boston; Long Island, N.Y.; Minneapolis; Morrisville, N.C.; New York City; Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.  The MSP category leader for small and mid-size business, mindSHIFT has been named the top-ranked business in the MSP space in the U.S. for the past four years, and a leading worldwide MSP for three years by industry trade publication MSPmentor. The transaction, which is expected to close in July, is subject to customary closing conditions.  About mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc. mindSHIFT is one of the largest IT outsourcing and cloud managed services providers, serving small and mid-size businesses for more than 10 years. At mindSHIFT, we're about keeping your IT systems up and running, providing personal attention and making you more productive.  We're big enough to offer the facilities, services and expertise you expect, but small enough to provide the support and attention you demand. Learn more at www.mindSHIFT.com. mindSHIFT and the mindSHIFT Technologies logo are registered service marks, and cloudSHIFT and Delivering IT Peace of Mind are service marks of mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc.  All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © 2012 mindSHIFT Technologies, Inc.

Best Buy Launches Pre-Sale of iPhone from Virgin Mobile

Press release:

Best Buy Launches Pre-Sale of iPhone from Virgin Mobile

Best Buy today launched a pre-sale of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, which will be available without a contract from Virgin Mobile on June 29. The pre-sale is available in all Best Buy big box locations and the 337 Best Buy Mobile standalone stores across the country. Virgin Mobile offers the iPhone with its Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans as low as $30 per month on the Sprint® Nationwide Network.* Best Buy offers consumers the choice of any carrier, any phone, any plan with lots of unbiased advice at all of the Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores. In addition, it features an array of services aimed at improving customers' experience, including Walk Out Working, Upgrade Checker, Happy 24 and a full array of accessories for customers to protect and personalize their new mobile devices. *Regular plans start at $35 per month. $5 monthly discount is only applicable to iPhone. All Beyond Talk plans include 2.5GB/month of full speed data.

Best Buy Selects Firm to Run CEO Search

News release:

Best Buy Selects Firm to Run CEO Search

MINNEAPOLIS, May 21, 2012 - The Board of Directors Search Committee of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) has selected Spencer Stuart to run a thorough search that will consider internal and external Chief Executive Officer candidates who will bring new leadership to the company. The committee selected Spencer Stuart because of its global expertise and experience recruiting for retail and digital companies. As previously announced, the Search Committee is chaired by Kathy J. Higgins Victor and comprised of independent directors. Best Buy also filed a Form 8-K summarizing the compensation agreement for director and CEO (interim) George L. "Mike" Mikan III. Mr. Mikan was appointed on April 10, 2012 to lead Best Buy while the search for a new CEO is conducted. For his service as CEO (interim), he will receive bi-weekly payments based on annual cash compensation of $3,300,000, representing an annual base salary of $1,100,000 plus $2,200,000 in annual compensation in lieu of Mr. Mikan's participation in the Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan. In lieu of Mr. Mikan's participation in the Long-Term Incentive Plan, Mr. Mikan will also receive up to 263,000 shares of the registrant's stock valued at approximately $5,000,000 upon the completion of his service as Chief Executive Officer (interim). The final amount of Mr. Mikan's stock award will be based on length of service and otherwise determined by the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board based on Mr. Mikan's performance in the role. Mr. Mikan is considered an employee-at-will and is not subject to a separate employment agreement.  ###