November 21, 2008 08:00 AM Eastern Time 

Geek Squad Announces Major Funding for Upcoming Make: Public Television Program

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tech support task force Geek Squad put its money where its mouth is today, officially becoming the founding underwriter for the upcoming Make: television series, now being produced by tpt National Productions. With many “Makers” among its employee ranks and a shared passion for technology and innovation, Geek Squad and Make: are a natural fit. Since inception, Geek Squad has been about helping people get the most from their technology, and this sentiment is shared, and amplified, by the Make family. Episodes of Make: are currently in production, with the series set to premier throughout the U.S. on Public Television stations and online at www.makezine.tv in January 2009.

Geek Squad and Make magazine have a history of supporting one another, beginning with Geek Squad sponsorship and participation in the first-ever Maker Faire in April 2006. Geek Squad realized early on that the motley crew of “Makers” who created the “steampunk” aesthetic, built full-size versions of iconic board games and heavily modified a car to reduce its environmental impact had the same love of technology and innovation that inspired Geek Squad.

"From my perspective, it’s no accident that the moon landing and Star Wars were followed by the first Apple Macintosh. When you make science and technology interesting, you spark innovation,” said Geek Squad Founder and Chief Inspector Robert Stephens. “Geek Squad’s support of Make: is our way of encouraging people to play, discover and create.”

The program will give Makers credit for their great work and provide inspiration to continue. Each week will feature “how to” projects, studies of the Web’s most fascinating work, profiles of some of the best-known Makers, videos submitted by viewers and much more.

“The Maker Movement continues to take great strides in popularity and significance,” said Richard Hudson, series Executive Producer of Make:. “Having both the ideological and financial backing of Geek Squad allows us to keep pushing and innovating. We couldn’t be happier to launch Make:.”

For more information, please visit: www.tpt.org/make/press.

To see episode previews and keep updated on Make:, please visit: www.makezine.tv.

Make: is a production of tpt National Productions in association with Make magazine and is distributed by American Public Television (APT). The series will begin airing on Public Television stations nationwide in January. Check your local listings and watch online at www.makezine.tv.

About Geek Squad:

Geek Squad is the first national 24-hour technology support task force. Roughly 20,000 active Geek Squad technicians patrol Geek Squad precincts in all U.S. Best Buy stores, all Canadian Best Buy stores and at Geek Squad stand-alone store locations. For more information, please visit www.GeekSquad.com.