Connections Suggest Microsoft and Motorola as Potential RIM Buyers

Speculation is surfacing that Research in Motion, the maker of BlackBerry, could be the target of a takeover by Microsoft Corp. Motorola is also rumored to be a possible buyer (see article from Reuters). In order to determine how RIM’s connections may affect the outcome of a deal, we mapped the company’s relationships to both Microsoft and Motorola. The results may give RIM room to be picky at the presence of takeover interest.

In this first IntellectSpace Knowledge Map illustrating RIM’s ties to Microsoft, we can see that Robin Bienfait (Chief Information Officer of RIM) and John Wetmore (Director of RIM) share numerous connections to numerous past and present Executives and Directors at Microsoft. One of the more noteworthy connections links Bienfait to Charles Noski (Director at Microsoft). Bienfait and Noski previously held Executive positions at the same time at AT&T. Microsoft could take advantage of this relationship in pursuing RIM.

Click here for an interactive version of this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map (Internet Explorer browsers only): http://nv.intellectspace.com/ispace/GuestMonitor.aspx?id=5343f534-9f36-4b42-9d19-6f86c13ea9b0

Motorola also seems to have a fair shot at securing a deal with RIM. David Dorman (Director of Motorola) can also be linked to Bienfait through AT&T, where he served as the CEO/Chairman from 2000 to 2005. Beinfait was with AT&T until 2006, so it is likely that the two are well acquainted.

These connections could be useful not only for Microsoft and Motorola in trying to work a deal, but they may also allow RIM some flexibility in choosing its buyer.

Click here for an interactive version of this IntellectSpace Knowledge Map (Internet Explorer browsers only): http://nv.intellectspace.com/ispace/GuestMonitor.aspx?id=f2fb1ac2-ba5b-4750-a667-cf5d9284fb1a

Comments

[rajesh valluri]

While I appreciate the networking between the senior execs at Microsoft and
RIMM I fail to understand why that alone would facilitate a takeover. Your logic works, if all things are equal, and Microsoft is one of the many possible suitors. However, in this case, one needs to study if Microsoft could afford the takeover on it's own and if it significantly helps Microsoft strategically. Motorola is just out of the question, as it's current market cap is less than that of RIMM. There is a remote possibility the other way round, I mean RIMM buying out Motorola and acquire a phenomenal hardware base to go with it's software.

[Michael]

Is there seriously a question of whether ms can afford it?