BlackBerry Playbook by RIM to compete directly with Apple iPad 2 without help from CMO Keith Pardy

Keith Pardy, chief marketing officer for Research in Motion (RIM), is stepping down from his position for “personal reasons,” the company announced late last week.  The decision arrives at an unfortunate time, as RIM is preparing to launch its very first tablet computer, the BlackBerry Playbook, sometime before the end of April. The new market entrant  will have its work cut out, as Apple continues to draw a great deal of attention over its just announced, new iPad iteration. Half the fuel behind Apple’s sales achievements comes from its well-greased marketing machine, and RIM will need all the help it can get to face that power. While Pardy will continue to help RIM transition over the next six months, his role ... [Read more]