Newman comes to Office Depot from Dallas-based Platinum Research Organization, where he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until March 2008.

Newman's 30 years of financial experience includes CFO positions at Radio Shack, Intimate Brands, and Hussmann International (which was acquired by Ingersoll-Rand in 2000). He also spent 17 years at General Electric in a variety of management roles both in the United States and Europe. Additionally, Newman has worked on several start-up retail concepts and private equity transactions.

"Mike brings to Office Depot strong financial skills and a wealth of operating experience," said Steve Odland, Chairman and CEO of Office Depot. "Further, he is an energetic leader who will bring new perspectives and more depth to our Executive Committee."

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Designated backpack recipients include:

-- Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community

-- City Year Miami

-- Miami-Dade County Public Schools

-- Communities In Schools of Miami

-- Upper Room Outreach Ministries of South Florida

-- The Nat Moore Foundation

-- New Hope Development Center

-- Embrace Girl Power! After School Programs and Camps

-- Kristi House

-- Amigos For Kids

-- Optimist Club of Kendall Hammocks

-- CCDH

-- 100 Black Men of South Florida

-- Best Buddies Florida

-- FIU Holiday Celebration for Children

-- CMB Visions Unlimited

-- Bridging The Gap Organization

-- Voices for Children Foundation

Through this year's National Backpack Program, the Office Depot Foundation - an independent foundation that serves as the primary charitable giving arm of Office Depot - is donating 300,000 backpacks to a variety of non-profit organizations and schools across the United States and Canada. The recipients, in turn, provide the backpacks to deserving children whom they serve through their programs or in their classrooms. The Foundation will also host backpack presentation events in Fort Lauderdale, Delray Beach and West Palm Beach on August 6.

"Education is the foundation for success, and I'm really excited to partner with Office Depot and the Office Depot Foundation for another season of backpack donations," said Edwards, who is sponsored by South Florida-based Office Depot. "Every student deserves to return to school with the tools they need to succeed, and the Office Depot Foundation is doing a great thing to make that happen for so many kids who might not otherwise have the necessary resources."

The 2008 backpacks come in five different color schemes, blending orange, blue, red, purple, green and - for the first time - pink. Designed primarily to meet the needs of students in grades K-5, the backpacks feature two front pockets and wide, padded straps for comfort and support. Each backpack contains a pencil pouch containing essential back-to-school items - a ruler, four crayons, a glue stick, a pen, a pencil, a pencil sharpener and an eraser.

Backpack recipients from previous years note that these donations make a significant impact.

"Please know that the Office Depot Foundation's commitment to children in need is most sincerely acknowledged and appreciated," said Velma Lawrence, executive director of the Embrace Girls Foundation in Miami. "Thank you all again for your corporate consciousness and commitment to many children and families in need across the land."

Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong says that making a difference to children is precisely the point of the National Backpack Program.

"By placing backpacks containing essential school supplies into the hands of children, we are giving them important tools they need to start school with confidence - and to succeed throughout the year," Wong said. "The National Backpack Program is one of the key ways in which we seek to accomplish the Foundation's mission - Listen Learn Care(TM) - and to achieve our strategic priority of helping children get ready for life and work."

About the Office Depot Foundation

The Office Depot Foundation is an independent foundation that serves as the primary charitable giving arm of Office Depot. In keeping with its mission, Listen Learn Care(TM), the Foundation strives to make a positive impact on many lives in many communities around the world. The Foundation supports a variety of programs that enhance the quality of life for children, strengthen communities, encourage local and global economic growth, and empower schools and non-profit organizations. It also provides support when disasters strike - doing what it can not only to speed the process of rebuilding, but also to mitigate the impact of future disasters. For more information about the Office Depot Foundation, visit www.officedepotfoundation.org.

About Office Depot

Every day, Office Depot is Taking Care of Business for millions of customers around the globe. For the local corner store as well as Fortune 500 companies, Office Depot provides products and services to its customers through 1,680 worldwide retail stores, a dedicated sales force, top-rated catalogs and a $5.0 billion e-commerce operation. Office Depot has annual sales of approximately $15.4 billion, and employs about 49,000 associates around the world. The Company provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company, and currently sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 44 countries.

Office Depot's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP and is included in the S&P 500 Index. Additional press information can be found at: http://mediarelations.officedepot.com.

SOURCE: Office Depot

Office Depot
Mindy Kramer, 561-438-4276 (office)
917-903-0640 (mobile)
mindy.kramer@officedepot.com
or
Edelman
Lisa Boggs, 312-233-1209 (office)
312-519-9979 (mobile)
lisa.boggs@edelman.com

The Office Depot and Netbizz Office Supplies stated that the alliance provides an efficient, integrated office products solution for business customers in Singapore with local, regional or global needs. The partnership also enhances the ability of both Office Depot and Netbizz to offer the one-stop, international service that is required by today's multinational companies.

Netbizz Office Supplies is currently serves over 4,000 business customers of all sizes across many industries throughout the island. The company offers a broad array of business consumables including office stationery and supplies, office technology, furniture, and breakroom products. In addition, Netbizz offers services such as security systems and software, office renovation and space planning, car leasing, air conditioner servicing as well as lock and safe repair and replacement.

"Singapore is a key market for many global companies and the new relationship between Office Depot and Netbizz Office Supplies will provide a complete procurement solution for both new and existing customers," said Teddy Chung, Managing Director for Office Depot Asia. "Netbizz is a great fit for our alliance in Singapore because they share our relentless focus on taking care of business for customers, offering superior products, time-savings and value."

"Our strong position in Singapore's B2B market, combined with Office Depot's comprehensive international network, is a winning combination for business clients in the region," said Gan Hua Koon, Managing Director for Netbizz Office Supplies. "Customers will reap the benefits of our new alliance with Office Depot in terms of competitive pricing on quality products, ordering efficiency and great service for all of their business needs."

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