6:40 PM – BlackBerry has already spent million of dollars trying to get back into the game. Its hardware business is mostly gone and now Interim CEO John Chen is reshaping the company for a better future. While it’s not an easy job to bring a company up from its knees, it seems like Chen is doing something good to take the company in a more positive direction.
Recently, we have seen firing of many high profile executives, but not many getting hired, until now. BlackBerry on Wednesday announced the appointments of two new individuals to high profile positions. James Mackey was appointed to executive vice president for corporate development and Avaya chief marketing officer Mark Wilson to be the new senior vice president of marketing.
So, what exactly is BlackBerry and CEO Chen planning? In the press release, Chen writes that he has “worked extensively” with both of these individuals, which “enable [him] to cohesively manage the changes required to reshape BlackBerry.” Essentially, the plan is to have as many trusted individuals around him as possible. The Interim CEO wants those that he can trust around him to make good, responsible decisions. There would be no clash in ideas and power, and things would only improve. BlackBerry right now has no room for more destruction, only improvement as the company has reached its bottom end.
Bringing those you trust and have built a good standing work relationship around yourself is a great idea, if you think about it.
The press release is below for your detailed reading pleasure.
[learn_more caption=”BlackBerry Announces Two New Executive Appointments”]
BlackBerry Announces Two New Executive Appointments
WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – December 18, 2013) – BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ: BBRY)(TSX: BB), a world leader in mobile communications, today announced two appointments that strengthen the Company’s strategy, marketing and operations.
James S. Mackey was appointed Executive Vice President for Corporate Development and Strategic Planning, joining the Company with years of experience executing highly successful corporate strategies that drive growth. Mark Wilson was named Senior Vice President of Marketing and brings extensive experience building brand preference and driving integrated marketing for a number of well-known companies.
“Jim and Mark are important appointments for BlackBerry as they bring extensive experience and add the necessary leadership and depth that will help us drive our transformation,” said John Chen, Executive Chair and CEO of BlackBerry. “I have worked extensively with both of them in the past, have the utmost respect for their experience and accomplishments, and we have developed close and trusted relationships with each other that will enable us to cohesively manage the changes required to reshape BlackBerry.”
Before joining BlackBerry, Mackey served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Open Text Corp., as well as head of Corporate Development at SAP, where he developed and led the Company’s global merger and acquisitions group, including completing more than 40 acquisitions.
Wilson will join BlackBerry in January from Avaya, where as CMO he led the marketing transition to a customer-solutions orientation. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Field Marketing at Sybase, and has extensive experience in marketing roles at AT&T and KPMG. At Sybase, he oversaw branding and advertising, lead generation, sales enablement and mobile product marketing operations.
[/learn_more]
