Research In Motion (RIM)

Dear BlackBerry Team Members,

I am writing to share some important news with you today regarding BlackBerry.

This morning, we announced that we have entered into an agreement to  receive a strategic investment of U.S. $1 billion from Fairfax Financial  Holdings Limited and other institutional investors, which is a vote of  confidence in the future of BlackBerry.

Today’s announcement also marks the conclusion of the review of  strategic alternatives process being conducted by the Special  Committee.  After conducting a thorough review of strategic  alternatives, we are pleased to announce this agreement that supports a  strong future for BlackBerry.  As you will see in the press release we  issued this morning, this agreement also comes with some changes to  BlackBerry’s Board of Directors and management team, effective upon the  closing of the transaction, which is expected to be completed in  mid-November.

Today I bid farewell to this great company, but leave with the  confidence of knowing that BlackBerry’s future is in your capable hands.  Together, we have accomplished a great deal over the past six years,  and I thank you for your loyalty and dedication along the way.

John Chen, a renowned expert in technology and global markets, will  be appointed to the position of Executive Chair of BlackBerry’s Board of  Directors and Interim CEO pending completion of a search for a new  Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Chen’s experience transforming Sybase from  a mature technology company into a high-growth enterprise data  management, data warehousing, mobility management and analytics  innovator, as well as his deep roots in the technology industry will be  invaluable to BlackBerry’s future.   Additionally, Prem Watsa, a long  time BlackBerry supporter and one of Canada’s preeminent investors will  rejoin the Board as Lead Director.

I’m sure you all have lots of questions about what this means – and  that’s why we are hosting a town hall meeting later this week where you  will have the opportunity to hear directly from the new leadership.

As always, it is important for BlackBerry to speak with one voice.   Should you receive any calls from investors please forward them to Paul  Carpino.  Media and other outside inquiries should be forwarded to Heidi  Davidson.

In terms of next steps, your day-to-day responsibilities will remain  the same through this transition.  As a team, each and every one of you  plays an important role in BlackBerry’s success, so I thank you for  staying focused on delivering the high quality products and services  that our customers have come to expect from BlackBerry throughout this  transition.

You can continue to count me as BlackBerry’s biggest fan.  Please know that I will be cheering from the sidelines.

Sincerely,

Thorsten