[thevizer]

BC-BlackBerry-Alicia-Keys@
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HL:BlackBerry says 'collaboration' with Alicia Keys will end this month@
THE CANADIAN PRESS@
WATERLOO, Ont. -- BlackBerry is parting ways with singer Alicia Keys, after a year-long collaboration with the smartphone maker.
The Waterloo, Ont.-based company says Keys will be leaving her role as its global creative director on Jan. 30.
Her involvement with the company drew criticism from some outsiders who said, despite the decidedly corporate title, Keys was little more than a celebrity who was brought in to help promote its BlackBerry 10 smartphones.
BlackBerry has insisted that Keys had a more direct involvement in its operations, highlighting her work on a four-year scholarship program that encouraged young women to enter specific science and technology fields.
The company brought Keys onto the team last January at the splashy New York launch of its BlackBerry 10 smartphone line, which was supposed to mark a new beginning for the well-known brand.
She appeared at numerous corporate events throughout the year and in some promotional material.
"We have enjoyed the opportunity to work with such an incredibly talented and passionate individual," the company said in an emailed statement.
BlackBerry shares rose 19 cents to $8.09 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

[bbmme]

I like john Chen! Haha

Posted via CB10

[g33kphr33k]

Shares rise as a celebrity falls. I see logic here.

Posted via CB10

[R Field]

Chen is no joke. Cut the dead weight bye Alicia you won't be missed.

[R Field]

Source: Globe and Mail - BlackBerry says ‘collaboration’ with Alicia Keys will end this month - The Globe and Mail

[Bishkin]

Send in Mozart.

[Ryanleelejeune]

I wonder what her total compensation was to really do nothing...

Posted via CB10

[dkonigs]

She definitely used the company as a vehicle to push some of her own personal initiatives. These were good things, which I don't think anyone here can disagree with.

On the other hand, she didn't seem to do anything at all to actually benefit BlackBerry. She didn't promote their products in any way that anyone has been able to notice, and she probably didn't even use their products. Frankly, I'm surprised this relationship even lasted this long.

[Joao Oliveira]

Thanks god!!! This is what she should have done!

[allengeorge]

Good. I never saw the rationale for this tie-up.

[MobileMadness002]

I still have no idea who this chick is or was. Has she done anything noteworthy for any person or any company?

[R Field]

Assets that are tied up that don't positively impact the bottom line need to be cut. This is pretty much my reaction.

BlackBerry Z30 | 10.2.1.1925 | BBM Channel C0006E212

[Meaty123]

I like Alicia Keys but she didn't do anything for BlackBerry really. So no loss for cutting her loose.

Sent from the best touch keyboard, the Z.

[sk8er_tor]

Good to see changes already happening on the marketing front.

[kronykapitalist]

Chen is getting rid of dead beats. Go Chen!!!

[Fistmaster]

Creative director, women technology and labs. Yeah right. Why not making her as a CEO, too, side loading apps and we all scream "Yay" like sissys!???

Come on, gimme a break here. She might made an IMPACT for the first week. But long term? She is a singer. Nothing more or less. I can't stand that celeburtards are also CEO's, actor or scientologist all of a sudden. And don't come up with Justin Bieber. Stick to your roots BlackBerry! No need for this nonsense!

[dracolnyte]

This girl just got FIREEEEEEEEEEEEDD

[m1kr0]

I simply LOVE John Chen!

Posted via CB10

[diggin4aliving]

Good call Mr. Chen. She wont be missed.

[JREwing]

Chopped!!!!!

[neteng1000]

Phew...she can finally use her iPhone in public and not get flamed for it

Posted via CB10

[avt123]

Good. I never saw her as a benefit to the company or its image anyways.

Chen is doing work.

[IJKBB10]

Good. I never saw her as a benefit to the company or its image anyways.

Chen is doing work.

I totally agree with you on that 100%. Too bad whoever hired her didn't see that either. Glad she is so gone!!! Was waiting for this moment

[pgg101]

BB7 EOL and Alicia axed. Good stuff!

Posted via CB10 on Z30STA100-5/10.2.1.1925

[EchoTango]

I personally thought she was a great asset in a half-baked poorly executed consumer marketing plan.

She was never used to promote the consumer side of the business in a way that had any impact on sales. If anything, she promoted BBerry along side her concerts and recordings for her own ends. Where were the commercials and the print adds ? You can't blame her for BBerry's inability to use an asset in a way to gain the most value.

Think about Justin Bieber promoting BBM to all the teenage girls.....opportunity lost......again !