FORMER WAL-MART VP: Robert Hey Jr. pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and admitted that he falsified invoices to embezzle money from Wal-Mart for former executive VP Tom Coughlin. Hey, who reported to Coughlin, falsified travel reimbursement and vendor invoices to embezzle as much as $500,000 in money, gift cards and products for Coughlin’s personal use, per news reports. Hey faces up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for each count, per news reports. Coughlin, who has not been charged, continues to be under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (July 20 P&I). Bentonville, AR-based Wal-Mart has hit roadblocks in its civil lawsuit against Coughlin to void his retirement package (negotiated before his alleged embezzlement came to light) and recoup some of its losses (Aug. 2 Xtra).
GENERAL MILLS: cereal is offering $5 Movielink movie download codes on millions of specially-marked packages of cereal, including Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Golden Grahams. The download codes can be used at Movielink. The promotion runs through February 2006.
BEST BUY: is repeating its brand integration role on tonight’s episode of The Apprentice. During the show, competing teams are tasked with creating an in-store, interactive display featuring the DVD release of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. The Apprentice airs at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
LEVERAGEPOINT MEDIA: Hoffman Estates, IL, hired Robert Blazek as director of new business development, a new post at its Rx Edge division. Blazek had been manager of patient intervention programs at CVS/pharmacy, overseeing sales and execution of direct-to-patient marketing.
MOMENTUM WORLDWIDE’S: St. Louis office is auctioning off passionate donations from 150 staffers. The Passion Project auction, slated for December, will raise funds for Our Little Haven, a local residence for abused and neglected kids. Staffers have donated goods and services for the auction based on their own personal passions— artwork, musical performances, food and more. The private auction will be open to Momentum staffers, clients, families and friends.
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