RIM marketing chief announces exit ahead of PlayBook launch

Timing could not have been worse for RIM's tablet ambitions

Research in Motion (RIM) will have a challenge on its hands promoting its forthcoming PlayBook tablet in an increasingly competitive market after announcing that its head of marketing will leave the company in six months.

Keith Pardy has decided to leave for personal reasons, RIM said in a statement. Pardy joined the firm in December 2009 and will stay with the company for the next six months to help with transition.

Nick Jones, vice-president and distinguished analyst for mobile and wireless communications at Gartner, said RIM's PlayBook already faced an uphill struggle before the announcement of Pardy's departure, given the marketing hype surrounding the launch of Apple's iPad 2.

"For any tablet other than iPad 2 to stand out this year is going to be very challenging as a marketing proposition," said Jones.

"The iPad will still dominate the tablet universe and hype this year, and so, clearly - whether you're a Xoom or a PlayBook - to stand out in that world is going to be hard work."