Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope and Best Buy Are Off to the Races Raising Money for the Magic Johnson Foundaton

NBA Legend Earvin ”Magic” Johnson to Serve as Honorary Crew Chief for the

Best Buy #66 Race Car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Ridgefield Park, N.J., Mar. 6, 2007 – In its ongoing support of basketball legend, turned successful businessman, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and the Magic Johnson Foundation, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope will make a pledge check presentation of $400,000 to support the Magic Johnson Foundation prior to the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 in Las Vegas. 

Johnson who is Co-Chairman of NASCAR’S Executive Steering Committee for Diversity will pay a special visit to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 11 as part of the national Best Buy retail promotion for Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, which is helping to raise thousands of dollars for the Magic Johnson Foundation March 4-24.  The Foundation is committed to making a positive impact on families in inner city communities, one child at a time. This is the fifth consecutive year that Samsung and Best Buy are working with the Magic Johnson Foundation.

“All kids need is a little help and the opportunity to grow and understand those around them,” Johnson said. “Samsung and Best Buy are helping to provide resources that these kids might never have and I am grateful for the resources they have supported my foundation with over the past five years.”

Samsung, through this promotion, will donate a percentage of each unit sold at Best Buy stores to the Magic Johnson Foundation. Categories include Consumer Electronics (television, audio & video), Home Appliances (refrigerators and microwaves), and Information Technology products (monitors and printers). Best Buy customers will also receive a free Best Buy gift card for purchasing select Samsung products during the promotion.  This card allows eligibility for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to the April 21 NASCAR race in Phoenix, Ariz.

“The Samsung Four Seasons of Hope program is in its sixth year of giving back to the charities and communities we support. We have raised more than $7.5 million to date,” said JS Park, President of Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. “Magic Johnson and his foundation, coupled with support from retail partner Best Buy, are exceptional alliances who share our common goal to motivate, encourage and offer children the support they need for a bigger and brighter future.”

“Best Buy is pleased to partner with Samsung in sponsoring the No. 66 race team,” said Mike Vitelli, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Home Solutions Operating Group, Best Buy, Inc. “We’re happy to partner with Samsung in giving customers the chance to donate to a worthy cause by purchasing Samsung products at Best Buy.”

Now in its sixth year, Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope is an innovative philanthropy program that combines the forces of major national retailers with sports, music and civic personalities, to benefit children, families and communities in need.  For more information on the Magic Johnson Foundation and Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, please visit www.magicjohnson.org and www.fourseasonsofhope.com.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics, information systems and home appliance products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

About BEST BUY CO., INC

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100 growth company that continually strives to create superior customer experiences.  Through more than 930 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more fun.  We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services.  A Minneapolis-based company, our operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com and BestBuyCanada.ca), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (Geek Squad.com and GeekSquad.ca) and Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com).  We support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from The Best Buy Children’s Foundation. 

About the Magic Johnson Foundation

The Magic Johnson Foundation was established in 1991 as a single-disease organization that worked to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. The Foundation has since responded to the growing need to address all aspects of young people’s lives by expanding its mission. This mission emphasizes the Foundation’s focus on supporting community-based organizations and development programs that serve the health, educational and social needs of those residing in minority communities.