Well RIM truly believes in, “Out with the old and in with the new”, for the NewYear at least with CEOs. While we are all awaiting for the newest devices from RIM, we get a new commander in chief. The previous head of RIM, Mike Lazaridis, has stepped down as agreed on by the Board as well as himself to let new leadership step in. “There comes a time in the growth of every successful company when the founders recognize the need to pass the baton to new leadership,” says Mike on the transition to unanimously decided Thorsten Heins as the new President and CEO.
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| Mike Lazaridis |
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| Thornstein Heins |
Thornstein Heins will be the new face when you think of Blackberry. Moving into the hot seat and now to receive criticism if the brand does not make good on its swift move to the future. Heins looks forward to continuing to work with the former CEO, Mike Lazaridis, and acknowledges their “growing pains” as well as RIM’s “challenges” but feel the company will “grow stronger as a result.” Lazaridis is not completely out of the company as announced he is the new Vice Chair and therefore will work closely with Heins to provide strategic counsel and to allow an easy and smooth transition. This change up is upon the heels of the release of Blackberry 7 and the very soon to be released Playbook 2.0 to be seen as early as February. The company felt that the new leadership will help take the company through their new phase as well as readying them as they prepare for their Blackberry 10 software which is expected later this year. There is still no talk of release dates for newer devices to date but Lazaridis is confident in the success of the company. The confidence is so that he intends on investing an additioinal $50 million of the company shares into the open market. Let’s hope this jump starts RIM’s 2012 stay in the market.
Let’s hope this jump starts RIM’s 2012 stay in the market. For the official press release please follow this link.
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