Blackberry 2009 Annual Report Download - page 10

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Year In Review
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws,
including statements relating to RIM’s plans and expectations
for fiscal 2010. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, as
described below under “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Fellow Shareholders:
Fiscal 2009 was another year of exceptional growth for
Research In Motion (RIM). The BlackBerry subscriber account
base grew by almost 80% in fiscal 2009, driven by strong sales
in both enterprise and consumer markets as well as excep-
tional market acceptance of the new BlackBerry products
launched throughout the year. We are also pleased to report
that BlackBerry was the number one selling smartphone brand
in North America.
2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the BlackBerry wireless
solution, and we are proud to have recently shipped our 50
millionth BlackBerry smartphone. RIM also achieved record
financial results with strong revenue and earnings growth, and
maintained a strong balance sheet with over $2 billion in cash
and investments and no debt. RIM introduced an unprec-
edented number of new smartphones during the year, with
the majority launched in the second half, and continued to
expand the reach of the BlackBerry platform into broader
market segments.
RIM continues to benefit from the industry shift to smart-
phones and achieved significant market share in both North
America and abroad during fiscal 2009. RIM’s position in the
market and strong partnerships allowed us to grow substan-
tially despite the turbulent economic environment that has
been prevalent throughout fiscal 2009. We are confident in
RIM’s ability to thrive in fiscal 2010 and are taking steps to
position the company to take advantage of the opportunities
ahead.
We are proud of RIM’s accomplishments during the year
and are grateful to the over 12,000 employees around the
world whose talents, hard work and determination enabled
RIM to maintain its market leading position. We would also like
to communicate sincere appreciation to our customers, part-
ners and shareholders for their support throughout fiscal 2009.
Some of RIM’s achievements during the past year included:
• Revenuegrowthof84%fromapproximately$6billion
to approximately $11 billion;
• TheintroductionofmanynewandpowerfulBlackBerry
smartphones, including the BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone,
BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip smartphone, BlackBerry® Storm™
smartphone, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i smartphone,
BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone and BlackBerry®
Curve™ 8900 smartphone;
• ExpansionoftheBlackBerrysubscriberaccountbaseto
approximately 25 million subscribers, with record quarterly
net subscriber account additions of 3.9 million in the fourth
quarter;
• Thelaunchofanew,globalBlackBerrybrandcampaign;
• BlackBerryrankedontheMillwardBrownTop100Most
Powerful Brands list at number 51 in the world, and rated as
the fastest growing brand on the list with a 390% increase in
brand value;
• Shipmentofthe50millionthBlackBerrysmartphonein
January, with approximately 26 million smartphones shipped
in fiscal 2009 alone;
• Theadditionofover100newcarrieranddistribution
partnerships globally;
• Successfulpenetrationofnewmarketsegmentswith
approximately 60% of net subscriber account additions in
fiscal 2009 coming from non-enterprise customers;
• Enhancementofthemobileexperiencethroughpowerful
partnerships that helped deliver a wide range of compelling
mobile applications;
• Expansionofmanufacturingcapabilitiesthroughthe
addition of new outsourcing partners around the world
which allowed us to almost double the number of devices
shipped during fiscal 2009; and
• Receiptofthe2009GSMAChairman’sAwardinrecognition
of RIM’s role in pioneering the wireless data industry.
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