MINNEAPOLIS,  Dec. 29, 2011 –  Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY), a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services, today announced that Laura Bishop has been promoted to vice president, Government Relations.  Bishop has been with Best Buy for 8 years; she most recently served as senior director, Government Relations, leading domestic government affairs for the company.

In her expanded role, Bishop will lead Best Buy’s Government Relations department, overseeing a team focused on a range of regulatory and policy issues affecting Best Buy’s competitive position and driving future growth for the company.  Bishop and her team will continue to work closely with Best Buy leadership on policy interpretation and advocacy on the federal and state level. She also will work to strengthen and integrate the company’s global government affairs capability.

“Laura is an energetic and passionate advocate for Best Buy, working hard to bring about change that serves our company and the communities in which we live and work. Perhaps even more important, she is fostering change that can advance our nation’s economy through polices that focus on job growth and access to technology,” said Brian J. Dunn, Best Buy’s CEO. “From our home state of Minnesota to our nation’s capitol to all points of presence for Best Buy, I am confident that Laura and her team will help inform the critical conversations with policymakers that will help us better address new challenges in coming years.”

Prior to joining Best Buy in 2003, Bishop spent much of her career in the public sector. She served as Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs for the State of Minnesota Department of Administration from 1999 to 2002.  Before that, Bishop spent five years working in political assignments in the Clinton Administration including working in Switzerland with the U.S. Department of State and in The White House and the U.S. Department of Education.    Bishop began her career working on Capitol Hill in the United States Senate.

Bishop currently serves as President of the Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition (CERC) and is a member of the Public Policy Steering Committee and Government Affairs Committee of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). In addition, Bishop serves her community through her leadership and engagement with a number of Minnesota non-profit boards, including the University of Minnesota - Hubert Humphrey Institute’s Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, The Page Education Foundation, and Stages Theatre.

Bishop, a Minnesota native, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. 

About Best Buy

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. Every day our employees - 180,000 strong - are committed to helping deliver the technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For information about Best Buy, visit www.bby.com and to shop at Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.

Media Contact:

Susan Busch, Senior Director, Public Relations

(612) 291-6114 or susan.busch@bestbuy.com