
Wow. HUGE news is out tonight from Research In Motion. Lots of follow up to come so keep it locked to CrackBerry. Read the official press release below and check out all of our related stories in the links at the bottom of this post.
Press Release
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, Jan 22, 2012 -- The Board of Directors of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) today announced that, acting on the recommendation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers to implement the succession plan they previously submitted to the Board, it has unanimously named Thorsten Heins as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Heins was also appointed to RIM's Board. The Board acted after conducting its own due diligence. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Mike Lazaridis, former Co-Chair and Co-CEO, has become Vice Chair of RIM's Board and Chair of the Board's new Innovation Committee. As Vice Chair, he will work closely with Mr. Heins to offer strategic counsel, provide a smooth transition and continue to promote the BlackBerry brand worldwide.
Mr. Heins said he looks forward to continuing to work with Mr. Lazaridis, globally recognized as a technology pioneer. He said, "Mike created a whole new way of communicating and I look forward to continuing our close collaboration."
On the transition to CEO by Mr. Heins, Mr. Lazaridis said, "There comes a time in the growth of every successful company when the founders recognize the need to pass the baton to new leadership. Jim and I went to the Board and told them that we thought that time was now. With BlackBerry 7 now out, PlayBook 2.0 shipping in February and BlackBerry 10 expected to ship later this year, the company is entering a new phase, and we felt it was time for a new leader to take it through that phase and beyond. Jim, the Board and I all agreed that leader should be Thorsten Heins."
Jim Balsillie remains a member of the Board. "I agree this is the right time to pass the baton to new leadership, and I have complete confidence in Thorsten, the management team and the company," he said. "I remain a significant shareholder and a Director and, of course, they will have my full support."
Mr. Lazaridis said that he decided to move from Co-Chair to Vice Chair of the Board in order to return the public's focus to what is most important: "the great company we have built, its iconic products, global brand and its talented employees."
Mr. Lazaridis added, "Thorsten has demonstrated throughout his tenure at RIM that he has the right mix of leadership, relevant industry experience and skills to take the company forward. We have been impressed with his operational skills at both RIM and Siemens. I am so confident in RIM's future that I intend to purchase an additional $50 million of the company's shares, as permitted, in the open market."
Mr. Heins said he believes that RIM has tremendous potential. He joined RIM from Siemens Communications Group in December 2007 as Senior Vice President for Hardware Engineering and became Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales in August 2011.
"Mike and Jim took a bold step 18 months ago when RIM purchased QNX to shepherd the transformation of the BlackBerry platform for the next decade," Mr. Heins said. "We are more confident than ever that was the right path. It is Mike and Jim's continued unwillingness to sacrifice long-term value for short-term gain which has made RIM the great company that it is today. I share that philosophy and am very excited about the company's future."
Mr. Heins said that RIM has a strong foundation on which to build. "We have a strong balance sheet with approximately $1.5 billion in cash at the end of the last quarter and negligible debt. We reported revenue of $5.2 billion in our last quarter, up 24% from the prior quarter, and a 35% year-to-year increase in the BlackBerry subscriber base, which is now over 75 million."
Mr. Heins said, "BlackBerry 7 has been well received. We are very excited about PlayBook 2.0 and BlackBerry 10. The reception of our products at this year's Consumer Electronics Show was encouraging."
He continued, "RIM earned its reputation by focusing relentlessly on the customer and delivering unique mobile communications solutions. We intend to build on this heritage to expand BlackBerry's leadership position."
Mr. Heins said that RIM has grown quickly. "As with any company that has grown as fast as we have, there have been inevitable growing pains," he said. "We have learned from those challenges and, I believe, we have and will become a stronger company as a result.
"Going forward, we will continue to focus both on short-term and long-term growth, strategic planning, a customer- and market-based product approach, and flawless execution. We are in the process of recruiting a new Chief Marketing Officer to work closely with our product and sales teams to deliver the most compelling products and services."
Barbara Stymiest, who formerly served as a member of Royal Bank of Canada's Group Executive and has been a member of RIM's Board since 2007, has been named the independent Board Chair. John Richardson, formerly Lead Director, will remain on the Board. Prem Watsa, Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings, also was named to the Board, expanding it to 11 members.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Ms. Stymiest said: "We believe that Thorsten is the right executive to succeed Mike and Jim. He has 27 years of telecommunications experience, including four years at RIM in senior management positions. As a Board, we have been impressed with his outstanding management skills, his leadership and his accomplishments within the company."
Ms. Stymiest also expressed the Board's respect and admiration for Messrs. Lazaridis and Balsillie, the company they built, and the steps they have taken to position RIM for the future.
"They created RIM, nurtured it, and in the process not only built an iconic brand, but literally pioneered the smartphone industry," she said. "It is Canada's largest tech company and one of the largest in the world."
Conference Call and Webcast
A conference call and live webcast will be held beginning at 8 am ET, January 23, 2012, which can be accessed by dialing 1-800-814-4859 (North America), (+1)416-644-3414 (outside North America) or through your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. A replay of the conference call will also be available at approximately 10 am ET by dialing (+1)416-640-1917 and entering passcode 4509630#. A replay of the webcast will be available on your personal computer or BlackBerry PlayBook tablet by clicking the link above. This replay will be available until midnight ET, February 6, 2012.
About Thorsten Heins
Thorsten Heins, 54, is a respected business leader with 27 years of broad experience and expertise in wireless networks and consumer electronics devices. Mr. Heins has a global reputation for his organizational and leadership skills and his ability to build successful organizations that deliver on their commitments. Prior to today's announcement, Mr. Heins was one of RIM's two Chief Operating Officers and, before that, Senior Vice President for the Handheld Business Unit. He played key roles in the creation of RIM's product portfolio. Mr. Heins came to RIM in December 2007 from the industrial conglomerate Siemens AG. He joined Siemens in 1984 after graduating from the University of Hannover in his native Germany. At Siemens, Mr. Heins rose through the ranks of R&D customer service, sales and product management positions. After serving as Chief Executive Officer of various business divisions in the communication business, Mr. Heins moved to Chief Technology Officer and member of the Group Board of the Siemens Communications Group. He came to RIM after being impressed by the level of innovation displayed by founders Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. Mr. Heins is married with a daughter and a son. Away from RIM, he is usually outdoors bicycling, motorcycling, skiing or hiking.
About Barbara Stymiest
Barbara Stymiest has served as a director of RIM since March 2007. She has an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, and an FCA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Ms. Stymiest joined Royal Bank of Canada in 2004, where she served as a member of RBC's Group Executive, which is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company. Prior to that, she held positions as Chief Executive Officer at TSX Group Inc., Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer at BMO Nesbitt Burns and Partner of Ernst & Young LLP. Ms. Stymiest is currently a Director of George Weston Limited, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Royal Ontario Museum.
About Prem Watsa
Prem Watsa is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a financial services holding company whose corporate objective is to achieve a high rate of return on invested capital and build long-term shareholder value, since 1985. He is also Vice President of Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. since 1985. Mr. Watsa formerly served as Vice President of GW Asset Management from 1983 to 1984 and in various positions, ultimately as a Vice President, with Confederation Life Investment Counsel from 1974 to 1983.
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Czar_of_Berry Jan 22, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Great news
martinjdub Jan 22, 2012 at 10:08 pm
75 million smiles
Fuzzballz Jan 22, 2012 at 10:12 pm
His suit doesn't fit
token44 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Don't worry, he can certainly afford to buy a new one now. LOL
palmless Jan 22, 2012 at 11:15 pm
It was originally cut to fit two half-CEOs.
FoxxBerry Jan 23, 2012 at 1:29 am
nice!
kemj Jan 22, 2012 at 9:29 pm
:O
Abrante Jan 22, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Wow!
cray.mock Jan 22, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Wow! It was only a matter of time.
Mecca EL Jan 22, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Finally!!! Now RIM can get back to business
Taxitai Jan 22, 2012 at 9:30 pm
FINALLYY!!!!! I NOW SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR RIM!
fred1266 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:44 pm
you show the company wouldn't suffer because of this move
rethcork Jan 22, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Look at my thread started in the forums
http://goo.gl/yXvlX
for all the news!
jebulls Jan 22, 2012 at 9:31 pm
RIM needed this change. Watch the stock price start to rise
pipotobe Jan 22, 2012 at 9:31 pm
LOl.
Now is the time to buy the stocks
jordandrews90 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Last FRIDAY would have been the time to buy stocks lol before this announcement.
boldkeyboardholic Jan 23, 2012 at 2:10 am
indeed ;)
i almost considered it but didn't bought. on the other hand i dont surr an internal solution helps - for the media and stock but hopefully for rims future.
captainbdsc Jan 22, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Wow! Everyone is excited! Crazy stuff!
GapBoyPCS Jan 22, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Globe and Mail has the story up as well: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/at-research-in-motion-...
Jonathank Jan 22, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Good Job RIM
paranee2 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:33 pm
very sad news .. RIM future is gone.. RIM SOON TO BE PUT ON SALE. thats not what we want to see
gord888 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:11 pm
it's sad, i think Jim and Mike deserved better - either way, i don't think RIM will get sold.
CommanderElvis Jan 22, 2012 at 11:20 pm
C'mon Jim, sour grapes. Things will feel better in the morning.
kemj Jan 22, 2012 at 9:33 pm
¡Gracias por todo y que les vaya bien!
pkcable Jan 22, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Please disregard the tip I just submitted!!!!!! lol! Did you get the job, Kevin?
Deathcommand Jan 22, 2012 at 9:33 pm
GO GET EM KEVIN.
greatness10 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:34 pm
whats great is that the new CEO has no intention to sell the company, etc. That he believes in QNX...i'm liking what I'm hearing....oh, and also, his first order of business is to hire a marketing exec!!!
Please let this all be good news for us RIM faithful
ewakil12 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Very sad :(
I Think that at least Mike have to be a co-CEO, he founded the company....
r0v3rT3N Jan 22, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Not Co-CEO, him and Jim did their time!
They aren't in the right minds anymore for the job...
BBPandy Jan 22, 2012 at 9:34 pm
hmm I personaly would have liked to see how the changes they have made in the past 18 months worked out B4 seeing them leave. if BBX phones are a success, people are going to be complementing the new CEO, even though it would have been a direct result of these guys..........not saying they didn't make mistakes, becuase they did, however they have made some great moves l8ly & we are just starting to see them come together :(
morpho4444 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Thanks Mike and Jim for all the good times I spent with my blackberries and all the goodness you contributed for that to be real. Hope you both the best and the best for RIM as well
bldshd Jan 23, 2012 at 2:39 am
I second that! Thanks Mike & Jim
iamlegend2011 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Kevin should buy Rim Now
luqman24 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Great news!!! So excited for this much needed change!!
jinxednuance Jan 22, 2012 at 9:37 pm
finallllyyyy!!!!!!
ADozenEggs@aol.com Jan 22, 2012 at 9:37 pm
About time. Expect a 20% - 25% increase in stock value this week.
ignites Jan 22, 2012 at 9:38 pm
guess no one really works for $1 after all.. I wonder what their prorated salary for 2011/to2012 was haha... no big change Thorseten Heins was always jim/mikes right hand man wont be a big whoopp
Adhamalghamdi Jan 22, 2012 at 9:38 pm
WOW … This is the BEST news ever on CrackBerry
spencerdl Jan 22, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Its been a EXCELLENT run, best of luck and Thank-You for all you have done for the cell phone industry
si_chindo Jan 22, 2012 at 9:39 pm
woooow. i really did not expect them to "voluntarily" step down. could it be that something went terribly wrong with BB10?
brunolovesbrit Jan 22, 2012 at 9:40 pm
They did a great job
livejam Jan 22, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Game changer
re_matters Jan 22, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Rebel forces have infiltrated the RIMpire!
marko868 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:42 pm
The more things change the more it stays the same! Blackberry for life! I love it.
jordandrews90 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Blackberry Facebook:
Research In Motion names Thorsten Heins President and CEO. Mike Lazaridis, former Co-Chair and Co-CEO, becomes Vice Chair of RIM’s Board and Chair of Board’s New Innovation Committee. Jim Balsillie, former Co-CEO remains a member of the Board. RIM Board Member Barbara Stymiest named the independent Board Chair. Prem Watsa, CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings, also named to Board. Conference call and webcast information to be released shortly.
morpho4444 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Thanks for the most secured phone in the planet, the best damn keyboard, the best damn tablet in a lot of aspects, speakers, camera, size, screen, shit, thanks for helping the industry. Thanks for BBM! The best damn email!
Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes Jan 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Good riddance
s2by10 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Sad but excited for the future!
swiedom Jan 22, 2012 at 9:48 pm
No pressure Thorsten Heines...
rexrim Jan 22, 2012 at 9:48 pm
timeforre-structure rim back..come on kevin..take this chance!
the_thunderbird Jan 22, 2012 at 9:49 pm
As a pillaged share holder, thank goodness!!!
sir.dangerfield Jan 22, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Thank you for everything Mike and Jim. I hope to see their imput on CrackBerry now. I hope this will be a positive change for such a great company.
BB10FTW Jan 22, 2012 at 10:32 pm
+1
anthogag Jan 22, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Who is this Thorsten Heins and does he have the goods to lead RIM?
Good to see Jim and Mike still in it.
jvictor77 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Take the time to read the article above.....
my.usernamegoeshere Jan 22, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Finally!!
travaz Jan 22, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Sometimes it becomes bigger than you. Need new vision and broader viewpoint
DaBear5 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Holy Sh*t
ryanlrobinson Jan 22, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I'm alternating whether I'm surprised or not. Sort of, because it came at a weird time (Sunday night?) and because the Board has said they stand by them. Sort of not, because there was so much pressure on them that it seemed like it had to happen eventually.
Jim and Mike ultimately did an amazing job, and the past 3 or 4 years of decline shouldn't let us forget that they were the ones who got the company to that place at all. I wish them only the best.
ench18 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Oh my! really???? So who's gonna be running the show then?
BB10FTW Jan 22, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Did you even read the article?
siefer999 Jan 22, 2012 at 9:52 pm
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/jim-balsillie-mike-lazarid...
owimes Jan 22, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Hate to see anyone lose a job in this economy, but these two had to go. Now get the playbook 2.0 out!!!!!
buckwylder Jan 22, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Mike and Jim are not bad people. Being all rude and saying things like "good riddance" is just immature and unnecessary. Not trying to be a jerk to anybody, just sayin' is all.
i'm not mister high maturity or anything, you can tell by how i make comments like "shart guards by depends" in the crackbery forums, but i don't like seeing all the mean stuff about the guys who literally built the platform we all love here at crackberry.
anyways, the new CEO is determined and will be an awesome new leader. this is a good move, i'm looking forward to a solid 2012 for RIM!!!
peace
___________________________________________________________
in the time of your life, live so that in that good time, there should be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life that your life touches, seek goodness everywhere
Darlaten Jan 22, 2012 at 11:21 pm
With respect, I do have to disagree with you. While these two individuals may have built the platform we all love; they, at the very same time, have literally destroyed it over the past few years. They were ineffective and, quite frankly, incapable of keeping up with the demands of new technology, new customers, along with grasping the direction that consumers were going to.
They denied that people needed and wanted media on their phones. They mocked the iPhone has being unnecessary and continued to turn a blind eye to the rapid development of apps on that market along with failing to observe the fact that people were gravitating to that platform. They failed to reach out to developers. And as a stock owner, I've seen my shares reduced to laughable levels - all under the direction of these two people. And I've seen a company that was once much admired turned into a joke within the technology field.
So while I may agree with you that they are "not bad"; I will say "good riddance" - and I hope that this new individual will be able to turn around this company and restore it to its health that it once had.
Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes Jan 22, 2012 at 11:30 pm
im the one that said good riddance. its because this should have happened a while ago.
mohamedmamdouh Jan 22, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Its about time for skype for playbook
jvictor77 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:44 pm
That's up to Skype - not RIM
BBPandy Jan 22, 2012 at 9:58 pm
<" Mr. Lazaridis said that he decided to move from Co-Chair to Vice Chair of the Board in order to return the public's focus to what is most important: "the great company we have built, its iconic products, global brand and its talented employees." >
Yea, lets hope this will shut them up, although I agree that all the CO-CEO noise was a bad disruption, I'm not sure it will shut them up....they will just find a something new to complain about...Just Wait & see
BB10FTW Jan 22, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Eventually they will find something new but for now they can atleast focus in this. I wonder how many articles tomorrow are gonna start with the word "Finally"
iamgonzzo Jan 22, 2012 at 10:01 pm
about time.....
buckwylder Jan 22, 2012 at 10:05 pm
this will be awesome for RIM, i'm glad to see who they chose to lead - they're solid
____________________________________________________________
in the time of your life, live so that in that good time, there should be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life that your life touches, seek goodness everywhere
chuckkdaduck Jan 22, 2012 at 10:07 pm
MOST shocking news of all time!! 2012 is definetly going to see some big changes!!
ELoXL Jan 22, 2012 at 10:10 pm
This is both wise and necessary. Lets all hope the best for BB and innovation.
1lomeri Jan 22, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Good decision, You have built a great company, now, allow someone to make it greater. You both have my respect. Thank you for revolutionizing the way we use mobile devices.
E.L.
allengeorge Jan 22, 2012 at 10:10 pm
I have a lot of respect for them. They took RIM from nothing to the biggest tech company in Canada and a global leader (a rare occurrence for us - we're more a branch plant and resource-extraction nation than anything). That's not to say that they were infallible. They've made a lot of mistakes: misjudging market sentiment and what features were important, downplaying the iPhone, putting in place a poor organizational culture, etc. But deciding to let go of your baby is never easy, and I think it took a lot of courage to make the step. I'm glad they did it.
BBPandy Jan 22, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Yea but so did Microsoft & every other Major phone company @ the time so don't make it sound like they were the only ones.
Also, it's not the iPhone that's taking most of their customers, it's Android.
MerrifieldB Jan 22, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Good things are about to finally get reported about RIM - Even by the Globe & Mail damnit all!
Vanti Jan 22, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Hope jim and mike can find something to occupy there time I welcome this new change and hope that mr heins can lead Rim into another decade of dominance
auditman Jan 22, 2012 at 10:16 pm
I thought kevin is gonna. Be do new ceo? Change is good. I know rim will make this a Goodyear for everyone.
ignites Jan 22, 2012 at 10:14 pm
FREE KETCHUP FOR ALL!
biggasexy Jan 22, 2012 at 10:16 pm
about time. those guys were stuck in 2007!
Berrimad Jan 22, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Great news!! And thanks to Mike Lazaridis an Jim Basillie for all what they did!
dadymon Jan 22, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Hopefully a change in the guard will give RIM a shot in the arm! Please do not use this as an excuse to delay the 2.0 update!
BBPandy Jan 22, 2012 at 10:19 pm
So does this mean that Kevin & his Ham Sandwitch are no longer in the running to become CO-CEO's at RIM?
What about VP of Web Development?
koool1 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Guys - this changes nothing!
Honestly, I suspect this is for optics only and that Jim and Mike will be the ones still running the show. In fact, I'll bet my Blackberry on that!
HabsSuck Jan 22, 2012 at 10:21 pm
So who will be the media's whipping boy now?
sashas Jan 22, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Finally! I'm just not sure that replacing the CEOs with a RIM employee is a good idea
Chango_BB Jan 22, 2012 at 10:25 pm
I think that was a good move. People all over the place were shooting at them and blaming them for everything that was going wrong at RIM. 2011 was RIM worst in terms of US marketshare. But they still did great things that we talk everyday about. Now, they freed themselves and they can go behind the scenes and do what they do best. Mike on technical stuff, which seems to be where he is going and Jim as an ambassador for RIM. They still control 10% of RIM, so they are not going anywhere.
marcin.warmuz Jan 22, 2012 at 10:26 pm
This must be the first piece of news in a long time that was not followed by comment "first" :)
AfroZepher Jan 22, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Damn! Wish they waited till after I got my tax return check. . .lol. . .Stock will quickly shoot out of my range. . .lol
VanCity778 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:28 pm
HA ! Breaking news on a Sunday night. Not only a Sunday night. But the night of the NFC & AFC championship. Good move to avoid being the number 1 news story in North America come Monday.
BBPandy Jan 22, 2012 at 10:56 pm
hehe I'm sure that the timing was VERY well planned.
kevinnugent Jan 22, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Would have been more impressed if they didn't choose Lazaridis's hand puppet for the job.
decypher44 Jan 22, 2012 at 10:33 pm
They should have done this last year, but still great news!!!
BB10FTW Jan 22, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Mike and Jim did a Great job and like they said its time to pass the baton. This is a Huge move! Cant wait to see that stock go through the roof this week.
afwriter Jan 22, 2012 at 10:38 pm
I've been waiting for this since the first Storm was released.
bitek Jan 22, 2012 at 10:43 pm
I am only for one thing. Better phones and more respect for RIM. If the change on the top will do it then this is great. Still these two guys at the end built great company so saying "finally", about time ,and bitch*ing at them showing no respect is just not fair imo.
zegra Jan 22, 2012 at 10:46 pm
I know that big ships turn real slowly, but this move was long overdue. Glad to see this type of cavacation behind the screws. (Go look it up)
xiaohuaxing Jan 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm
No way this picture was taken in the last 20 years. 54 years old?
Jake Storm Jan 22, 2012 at 11:01 pm
My thoughts exactly.
Must be his high school picture :)
GrindTImeBanks Jan 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm
YES RIM CAN!!!
lotuslanderz Jan 22, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Wow, wasnt expecting this! I actually have a lot of respect for Mike L. Jim B. -- I'll reserve judgement. First order of business -- Get that CMO position filled ASAP. Second order of business -- reclaim (pay for) the BBX name. Third order of business -- plug the hole that leads to the BGR "leaks" :D
Just curious. Why now? Does this foreshadow a bad earnings call next month? Interesting times ahead. Patiently waiting for OS2... and BB10 (BBX)
Pilot Prop Jan 22, 2012 at 10:54 pm
i have a feeling that this will be on the mobile nations monday brief
Pilot Prop Jan 22, 2012 at 10:54 pm
i have a feeling that this will be on the mobile nations monday brief
nikolaynedev Jan 22, 2012 at 10:55 pm
My first post here. Now I am really worried. Jim and Make were the face of the company. The new man is just another product of the corporate world. Yesterday in Siemens, today in BlackBerry, tomorrow in BP. The corporate world is full of these graduates from business schools, enthusiastic, polite, confident, smiling man without any substance. Not every company has "Steven Jobs"-s, but this one is looking very far from the inspirational figure Blackberry needs.
NFLPLAYBOOK Jan 22, 2012 at 10:55 pm
I feel a ripple in the force. Luke went to the darkside.
ILUMINATIUNDEAD Jan 22, 2012 at 10:57 pm
IT"S A MIRACLE FROM GOD!! PRAISE DA LAWD!!! <3<3<3
Darlaten Jan 22, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Lets hope this new person stil apprecites the Playbook and will not decide to cancel the project. It can be succesful if it was only managed better.
Commodus Jan 22, 2012 at 11:04 pm
About time -- in honesty, they probably should've been ousted a year or two ago.
Remember, they're the ones who saw the iPhone (and later Android) and treated a touchscreen like a fad. People would flock back to non-touch phones with hardware keyboards any second... only they didn't. This past year just proved they don't cope with things *really* going South very well.
starman011 Jan 22, 2012 at 11:20 pm
This is the most obvious "for sale" sign you'll ever see! They were outed to make the process go smoother.
skibnik Jan 22, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Now watch as Heins bows to shareholder pressure and breaks up and sells RIM piece by piece.
stackberry369 Jan 23, 2012 at 12:03 am
Will go private.
Kiddo2050 Jan 22, 2012 at 11:34 pm
Seriously good news. With all the new stuff going on with RIM they need to break free from the past, and put it behind them. Very meaningful move.
JoyfulHeart35 Jan 22, 2012 at 11:38 pm
WOW!!!!! How exciting, I hope this new blood will bring some exciting changes and more energy to RIM. Go RIM!! BE BOLD
daves_25 Jan 22, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Well, that's too bad.
stackberry369 Jan 22, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Buying $50 million worth of shares on the open market.is that a toupe that ceo is wearing?
BBNation Jan 22, 2012 at 11:58 pm
Finally..$50 coming up for RIM shares..
stackberry369 Jan 23, 2012 at 12:01 am
Learn from apple and use it against them and fandroid.Long live the RIMPIRE!!!
JPMorgan_ Jan 23, 2012 at 12:21 am
It's time for a change, great news. Hopefully the new CEO will lead Research in Motion to a great comeback.
willm Jan 23, 2012 at 1:03 am
"... Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales in August 2011. "
So the guy who was in charge of the lackluster promotion and roll-out of BB7 devices is now in charge of the whole company?!?
Oh boy...God help 'em...
willm Jan 23, 2012 at 1:03 am
"... Chief Operating Officer for Product and Sales in August 2011. "
So the guy who was in charge of the lackluster promotion and roll-out of BB7 devices is now in charge of the whole company?!?
Oh boy...God help 'em...
Siiid Jan 23, 2012 at 1:08 am
wow this is big news
boldkeyboardholic Jan 23, 2012 at 2:04 am
hoffentlich kein Leo Apotheker (hopefully no) ;)
steiale Jan 23, 2012 at 7:07 am
I think he will be worth. If he learned at Siemens this will be a COMPLETE fail!!