Thorsten Heins has just announced on stage at the
BlackBerry 10 launch event that Research In Motion will now be called simply BlackBerry.
One brand, one promise. -Thorsten Heins
Re-designed, Re-engineered, Re-invented. Awesome! Full press release below.
Research In Motion Changes Its Name to BlackBerry
Company adopts globally recognized brand, consolidates to single brand identity
WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - January 30, 2013) - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM)(TSX: RIM) has announced that it will now operate around the world under the iconic name BlackBerry, effective immediately.
The Company will adopt the name of its revolutionary BlackBerry smartphone to coincide with the launch of its new mobile computing platform, BlackBerry 10. The move consolidates the company's brand into a single cohesive global presence.
"This change from Research In Motion to BlackBerry comes at a defining moment in our company's history," said Thorsten Heins, President and CEO. "RIM created the first BlackBerry smartphone and changed the way millions of people around the world stay connected. We have used that same ingenuity and innovation to redefine mobile computing with BlackBerry 10. As we launch BlackBerry 10 around the world, now is the right time to adopt the iconic BlackBerry name."
As part of the move, the Company will now trade as "BB" on the Toronto Stock Exchange and "BBRY" on the NASDAQ. The changes to the company's ticker symbols will be effective at the start of trading on Monday, February 4, 2013. The company's website (www.rim.com) has changed to www.blackberry.com and soon company email addresses will migrate to @blackberry.com suffix.
BlackBerry's reinvigorated marketing efforts will now consistently represent the BlackBerry brand.
"Outside of North America, we are known solely as BlackBerry and the strength of the brand has opened doors in new and emerging markets. We now represent a company with a clear global brand and cohesive global marketing approach," said Frank Boulben, Chief Marketing Officer, BlackBerry.
"The BlackBerry name is synonymous with the company and its products and this move is a logical step forward as the company launches new devices and the BlackBerry 10 platform," said Danielle Levitas, Group Vice President of IDC's Consumer, Clients & New Media Research.
con4n007 Jan 30, 2013 at 10:36 am
Awesome
should ahve done it ages ago
ekafara Jan 30, 2013 at 10:36 am
About time! : )
Alphalucard Jan 30, 2013 at 10:38 am
Good change imo. Its significance might not be felt today but certainly would benefit the brand in the long run.
burkey1973 Jan 30, 2013 at 10:39 am
IT's been talked about for a long time but how much is that going to cost to update all of the signs on the buildings here in Waterloo?
NostalgicMind1 Jan 30, 2013 at 10:42 am
I love it!!!!
CookMon Jan 30, 2013 at 10:58 am
Kevin for CEO!!!
He proposed this a year ago: http://crackberry.com/its-time-change-name-research-motion-blackberry
sj10689 Jan 30, 2013 at 11:33 am
Not just a year ago - almost exactly a year ago! Same date, and just about the same time, even.
30 Jan 2012 10:24 AM: It's time to change the name of Research In Motion to BlackBerry
30 Jan 2013 10:31 AM: Research In Motion rebranded to BlackBerry
dannyd86 Jan 30, 2013 at 11:38 am
+1
seriously though, blackberry is really! listening to the consumers, fans, etc. The old blackberry barely acknowledged crackberry. Now kevins up there getting haircuts at a global launch event of a billion dollar company. A true sense of companionship with the company. Right down into deep integration on features that we've been asking for. Something you dont feel with google, and definitely not apple.
00stryder Jan 30, 2013 at 4:07 pm
I suspect Kevin's been appointed a position on the Executive Board but is keeping his involvement with (now) BlackBerry so we can keep getting "exclusives" here on CB. ;)
Honestly, it's like they're following the CrackBerry Kevin playbook this last year!
Jon Tessler Jan 30, 2013 at 11:00 am
Great idea, new device, new name, new future
SDTRMG Jan 30, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Blackberry-pier strikes back! ... Wait what o_0.. .. Good change though can't wait for my bb10
Rootbrian Jan 31, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Lolz. I had a feeling they would rebrand. :)