Slumping Best Buy Plugs in Communications Chief

Matthew Furman, VP of corporate affairs for Mars Chocolate and former head of corporate communications for Google, will join slumping electronics retailer Best Buy Co. next month to lead communications.The Minneapolis-based company said Furman is set to join June 22 as senior VP, communications and public affairs under interim CEO Mike Mikan. Mikan took the reins in April after the surprise resignation of Brian Dunn amid a probe into his personal conduct and slumping revenues.

Furman takes over for Paula Prahl, who left Best Buy in December for the senior VP, strategy and marketing, slot at Data Recognition Corp.

?It's time to change the story about Best Buy,? Furman said in a statement. ?Time to help employees, shareholders, partners and customers understand that this company's leadership knows what needs to be done to come out of this turnaround well equipped to win in the evolving marketplace.?

The 41-year-old Furman, a lawyer, led corporate communications for Google from 2007-10 after top roles at CNN and ChoicePoint. Earlier, he worked political PR as a press secretary for FEMA and New York City?s emergency management agency in the late 1990s.

Best Buy employs 167K worldwide. It earned $158M on $11.6B in revenue during the first quarter, ahead of estimates.

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