BlackBerry Forms Union with Rugby World Cup 2011

BlackBerry is the Official Handheld Mobile Device of this year’s Rugby World Cup

Sydney, Australia- 18 April, 2011 - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) and Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) have today announced the appointment of RIM as an Official Sponsor and BlackBerry as the Official Handheld Mobile Device of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Adele Beachley, Managing Director for RIM Australia and New Zealand, said, “Rugby World Cup 2011 is an eagerly anticipated event in the Southern Hemisphere and it will be a very exciting time for rugby supporters and the people of the region. At RIM ANZ we really wanted to join the RWC 2011 team and get behind the people of New Zealand, the hosts of this global event.”

Adele Beachley continued, “RIM is an international provider of smartphones so we felt a partnership with RWC 2011, a global sporting event which will be played and watched by people from all over the world, was a great fit. Our innovative BlackBerry smartphones and BlackBerry apps will allow RWC 2011 Officials, Referees and fans worldwide to communicate instantly and stay up to date with the rugby games in New Zealand. I’m sure there will be much banter being exchanged between fans using BlackBerry devices all over the world.” 

RIM will provide Rugby’s showcase Tournament with the very latest BlackBerry smartphone devices as well as the BlackBerry PlayBook™ tablet to enhance operations by ensuring that the Tournament and its fans remain connected.

Rugby fans will also be able to stay up to date with all the latest live match scores, video highlights and latest news through the delivery of a sophisticated, free-to-download Official Rugby World Cup 2011 App for BlackBerry users.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted that RIM’s BlackBerry brand has joined the impressive portfolio of sponsors and suppliers for Rugby World Cup 2011. This partnership with one of the world’s most recognisable brands further enhances the enormous prestige and attraction of Rugby World Cup in the global market place.”

“We look forward to working closely with RIM to promote Rugby around the world through innovative global technology solutions as the international sporting community counts down to the start of Rugby World Cup 2011. The Tournament looks set to position Rugby in new markets around the world and BlackBerry will help us reach out to new communities and audiences.”

Media Contact:
Antoinette Trovato, RIM Australia, 0437 763 316, atrovato@rim.com
BlackBerry Team, Spectrum Communications (02) 9954 3299, blackberry@spectrumcomms.com.au