MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-052
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 21, 2013

DALLAS – Military shoppers looking for the most popular TV shows, movies, sports, news and other video entertainment can now subscribe to DISH Network through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.  

Subscribers can benefit from Exchange-exclusive specials including a $10 per month discount for the first 12 months of services on a TV package and a $100 Exchange Gift Card, in addition to other DISH promotional offers. 

DISH services include HBO, Cinemax and Showtime, sports networks that include NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NBA TV and Outdoor Channel and a variety of HD and international programming. DISH also offers its award-winning Hopper, a DVR that allows viewers to skip commercials and “Dish Anywhere” service, which perfectly suits the military’s on-the-go lifestyle.

“It’s exciting to be able provide Exchange shoppers with a great entertainment service like DISH, which is one of the biggest names in the television entertainment world,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Chief Tony Pearson. “And the Exchange-exclusive discounts make it even better.”  

Exchange shoppers can subscribe to DISH three different ways – at their local Exchange Mobile Center kiosk, by calling toll-free 1-866-762.2359 (Code:  Exchange) or online at www.shopmyexchange.com/DISH.

DISH service through the Exchange is available in CONUS only.  

Exchange shoppers can also purchase DishNet, a high-speed Internet service with speeds as fast as 4G.  New DishNet subscribers will receive a $50 gift card as an Exchange-exclusive offer and can bundle DishNet with a TV package to receive a combined $150 in Exchange gift cards.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes: 

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Conner Hammett
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-051
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 16, 2013

DALLAS – The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has been recognized by U.S. Veterans Magazine for its part in putting those who have helped protect American freedoms back to work.

The Exchange is among the organizations named to the publication’s 2013 Best of the Best list, making the cut in the “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies,” “Top Supplier Diversity Programs” and “Top Government and Law Enforcement Agencies” categories.

Ten percent of the Exchange’s workforce consists of veterans, and an additional 24 percent are military spouses or family members. One of the Exchange’s goals for 2013 is to increase veteran management hires 33 percent over the number hired in 2012.

“It’s essential to the Exchange’s mission to welcome our veterans with open arms, and that extends to their families as well,” said Exchange’s Chief of Staff Col. Thomas Ockenfels. “This recognition further validates our efforts toward providing veterans and their families with solid, rewarding job and career opportunities, and we are honored that U.S. Veterans Magazine considers us one of the ‘Best of the Best.’”

The list, which included private companies, government agencies and educational institutions, was compiled from market research and independent research, diversity conference participation, and survey responses. Hundreds of companies submitted applications to be included in the list.

The list will be published in the summer issue of U.S. Veterans Magazine, on newsstands Aug. 15.

 Information on the Exchange’s veteran hiring programs can be found at www.shopmyexchange.com/AboutExchange/Careers/militaryfamilies.htm.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Conner Hammett
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-050
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 14, 2013

DALLAS – The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), introduced in 1940 as the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, was established to protect active duty service members from what might happen to their financial or legal obligations after they start military service.

Decades later, the Military Star ^TM Card was established in response to military leadership’s concerns regarding a growing number of rent-to-own, pay-advancement schemes and unacceptably high interest rate scams that military personnel were encountering.

Today, the Military Star Card and SCRA both serve to protect our military, but it can be confusing to find where one ends and the other begins.

While interest rates offered by the Military Star ^TM Card are very competitive with industry leaders, the card is usually subject to the interest rate agreed upon at the beginning of the contract, not the special interest rates that apply to debt incurred prior to military service under the SCRA.

“The SCRA is a great way to ease the transition to active duty life and reduce service members’ existing financial burden,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Chief Tony Pearson. “However, the special interest rates guaranteed by the SCRA apply only to debt incurred before the start of military service, not to purchases made while on active duty.”

The SCRA benefits Military Star ^TM Card holders under certain circumstances: Since many reservists are not considered active duty but are entitled to Exchange privileges, reservists with Military Star ^TM Card accounts can see interest on existing Military Star ^TM Card balances reduced to 6 percent under the SCRA when activated.

For more information about the Military Star ^TM Card, visit www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeCredit/. For more information about SCRA, visit www.military.com/benefits/military-legal-matters/scra/servicemembers-civil-relief-act-overview.html.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett,214-312-2132 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-049
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 2013

DALLAS – Military shoppers who have an old cell phone or two lying around gathering dust can now trade them in for credit toward a Smart Phone upgrade at the Exchange Mobile Center.

A trade-in can result in instant credit toward the purchase of a new Smart Phone, accessory or even insurance for a new phone.  The new program, “Trade-Up and Save,” is available only at Exchange Mobile Center in-store locations in the continental United States.

“This is an eco-friendly program that makes it even easier for military shoppers to buy that hot, new Smart Phone, upgrade early or just change their mobile look with a colorful new skin or cover,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson.  

Shoppers can trade in up to three handsets per transaction and the credit must be applied toward a purchase at that time.  Trade-in values vary depending on model, condition, age and market factors.

The Exchange Mobile Center Exchange carries the latest models and accessories as well as experts who can assist in understanding features and plans.  

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes: 

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward – [email protected]. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Conner Hammett
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-048
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 6, 2013

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and The Walt Disney Studios are teaming up to offer first-run films to military families at continental United States Exchange movie theaters.

The agreement marks the first time in the Exchange’s 118-year history that movies will be shown at continental United States Exchange theaters on the same day of general market release. First-run movies have previously only been available at Exchange theaters outside the continental United States.

First-run shows start Aug. 9 with the animated feature, “Disney’s Planes,” at the following Exchange theaters: 

• Ft Campbell, Clarksville, TN
• Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX
• Ft Irwin, Barstow, CA
• West Point, Newburgh, NY
• McGuire AFB/Ft Dix, Wrightstown, NJ
• Ft Drum, Watertown, NY
• Ft Sill, Lawton, OK
• Ft Polk, Leesville, LA
• Travis AFB, Fairfield, CA
• Ft Hood, Killeen, TX
• Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA
• Ft Knox, Ft Knox, KY
• Ft Belvoir, Alexandria, VA
• Dover AFB, Dover, DE

“Now families can enjoy the same great new Disney films they can see at any first-run theater, with the digital experience now offered at Exchange theaters,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson.

“We’re delighted to work with Exchange theaters to offer quality family entertainment to our dedicated and hardworking military families,” said Dave Hollis, Executive Vice President, Theatrical Distribution at The Walt Disney Studios. “We are excited to begin this journey as ‘Disney’s Planes’ flies into theaters on Friday.”

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-046
RELEASE DATE: July 30, 2013

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) announced today it has awarded a multi-year contract to SpeedFC to build and maintain a state-of-the-art eCommerce platform, replacing a proprietary legacy environment. The Exchange, the 43^rd largest retail organization in the U.S., is an omni-channel operator with a website at shopmyexchange.com and more than 2,800 brick and mortar facilities. 

The SpeedFC solution will incorporate Oracle’s ATG platform for back-end systems, Speed Order, their proprietary system for order management, Omniture for analytics and Endeca for guided navigation, faceted search and search administration. Other customers SpeedFC currently serves include Yankee Candle, Justice Stores and MetroPCS. The fully integrated solution will allow best practice efficiencies which include order management, call center operations as well as warehouse fulfillment services.

“One of our strategic priorities is improving online offerings and the user experience,” said the Exchange’s Director/CEO Tom Shull. “Whether in-store or online, it is extremely important that we make the same Exchange benefit available to all Soldiers, Airmen, their families and retirees, regardless of where they are stationed or by what means they prefer to shop.”  

The Exchange website presently offers branded and private label items across all merchandise categories including women’s apparel, accessories and beauty, men’s, children’s, electronics, home, appliances and military apparel, all at significant savings, free shipping on most orders and tax free to its customers. The Exchange plans to add a significant number of additional items prior to the key holiday season.

As part of this integration, the call center will move from a direct in-house operation to an outsourced solution located in the DFW metroplex. “We are family serving family so we take it very seriously when we have to reallocate resources,” said Shull. “But these moves are being made in an effort to better serve and support Soldiers, Airmen and their families. At the same time, we have a duty to our associates and, as a result, will make a concerted effort to take care of them with compensation or other opportunities within the organization.”

Last year, authorized shoppers placed over 700,000 orders at shopmyexchange.com totaling more than $220,000,000 in revenue.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

About SpeedFC, Inc.

SpeedFC, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR).  Navarre® provides a vertically integrated, multi-channel platform of e-commerce services and distribution solutions to retailers and manufacturers. The company offers retail distribution programs, web site development and hosting, customer care, e-commerce fulfillment, and third party logistics services.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Conner Hammett
MEDIA ADVISORY: 13-047
RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2013

DALLAS – Online shopping with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is easier than ever thanks to a refresh of the organization’s official website, www.shopmyexchange.com, in preparation for the key holiday selling season.

Improvements include a new homepage layout design, complete with an updated visual look and industry-standard navigation; more product categories; easy-to-find links to specialty stores and online mall vendors; improved product pages; and easier checkout.

Easy-to-find buttons for key features such as sales, customer service, online account management and Military Star^TM Card service are also now conveniently placed at the top of the page, and the product search bar is now more prominent within the site’s layout. In addition, the shopping cart feature is now consistently positioned on the right side of all product pages.

“Revamping www.shopmyexchange.com is part of the Exchange’s ongoing effort to make shopping, whether online or in stores, easier and more intuitive for military families all over the world,” said the Exchange’s Senior Vice President of eCommerce John Engroff. “Staying current and competitive in an ever-growing online retail market is essential to the Exchange’s mission and provides added value to our authorized patrons worldwide.”

Other new features include social media buttons that connect users with a direct source for exclusive discounts, new product announcements and local store events via Facebook, twitter, Pintrest and YouTube.

To learn more about the new features of www.shopmyexchange.com, visit www.shopmyexchange.com/newfeatures/default.asp.

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.  The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

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Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].