[Homo Erectus]

The City of Kitchener has cleared the way for Research In Motion Ltd. banners promoting RIM’s new BlackBerry smartphones, despite a long standing ban on commercial advertising on city-owned land.

Over the objections of a lone opponent on council, city politicians voted to exempt RIM from a policy that permits ads only for charities or non-profit events.

Kitchener will allow RIM to drape signs from city light standards, with the banners expected to promote the BB10 operating software and devices, and give thanks to the city.

RIM spokesman Nick Manning said RIM wants to offer a “gesture of appreciation” to communities that have stood by the BlackBerry maker through a turbulent year.

The company is staging BB10 events Jan. 30 in cities including Toronto and New York to unveil the long-delayed product upgrade.

“This is an exceptional circumstance,” said Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr. “It’s a small gesture but it’s an important one.”

He said the advertising allowance reflects RIM’s contribution to the southern Ontario municipality adjacent to the company’s headquarters in Waterloo.

Zehr added that the city’s ban on commercial ads on municipal property is scheduled for a “normal course review,” and said any request from other companies seeking an exception “would be taken on its own merit.”

John Gazzola, the Kitchener council member who voted against Monday’s motion, said the move sends an inconsistent message.

“When you have one exception then there will be no end to the exceptions,” he said, adding that it will be hard for the city to turn down solicitations from other businesses seeking the same special treatment as RIM.

“We’ve got rules,” Gazzola said. “If you are going to start making exceptions then you have no rules. If you don’t like them, then you should change the rules.”

RIM, which announced 5,000 layoffs last year amid sharp sales declines, said it is planning BB10 celebrations in Canadian cities where it has a significant employee presence including Ottawa, Halifax, Cambridge, Waterloo and Kitchener.

It has skating parties on tap for municipal rinks in Kitchener-Waterloo where it will hand out free hot chocolate and cookies with the BlackBerry brand baked in.

RIM will festoon downtown light poles with banners, though Manning said the company wants to maintain an element of surprise over what the displays will declare.

RIM said it is planning banners in Waterloo, which doesn’t explicitly oppose commercial advertising on city property, and is in negotiations with nearby Cambridge about events there.

Kitchener defends decision to allow BlackBerry 10 ads on city property - thestar.com

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

I posted an article about this in another thread. I believe it certainly merits its own but I was too lazy

[JAGWIRE]

a party in Halifax?!?!?!? where and when is this i need to go to it!!!!

[ctuffy]

I love it when corporations make good neighbors.

[SixStringMadness]

double thread......


Meanwhile over in sleepy hollow a councillor is not a BB fan

[r0v3rT3N]

I'm not usually up for commercial advertising on city property, but for all RIM has done to the Waterloo/Kitchener area (donations, etc...), I think they deserve a few posters and such.

[DJM626]

I live in Chicago IL, but if someone is nice enough to provide me with a banner, I will hang it anywhere they want. I will drive around with it on my car if I had to

[kill_9]

a party in Halifax?!?!?!? where and when is this i need to go to it!!!!

Potluck at the RIM office on 30 January 2013. I just made it up so please do not knock on the door. LOL

[helis4life]

wow hot chocolate and cookies, thats awesome. Wish i was somewhere close buy.

Any word on the list of the 30 cities that will be getting a bb10 launch event?

[playbookster]

I want bb cookie

Sent from my BlackBerry Laguna using Tapatalk 2

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

wow hot chocolate and cookies, thats awesome. Wish i was somewhere close buy.

Any word on the list of the 30 cities that will be getting a bb10 launch event?

”events Jan. 30 in cities including Toronto and New York to unveil the long-delayed product upgrade.”

They mean January 30, not 30 cities. It's 6 cities

[dietertong]

A good editorial on the subject

RIM helped us, let's help them

[Bold_until_Hybrid_Comes]

double thread......


Meanwhile over in sleepy hollow a councillor is not a BB fan

Lol you put a double thread post on the other one linking to this one too

People buy these blackberry devices so all your money is sent to my city