Steve’s breakdown: This has been a longtime coming but I’m not too sure about their choices. But no matter; they have a lot of work to do and a new ad agency would certainly help.

WATERLOO, Canada: Research in Motion Ltd. has appointed two new executives, it said Tuesday.

Frank Boulben will take on the job of chief marketing officer, which has been open for more than a year, while Kristian Tear will take over as chief operating officer, the company said.

Mr. Boulben’s most recent role was as executive vice-president for strategy, marketing and sales for U.S. wireless broadband network company LightSquared

Mr. Tear was executive vice-president at Sony Mobile Communications.

RIM has been looking for a single COO since the departure of Jim Rowan who was chief operating officer of global operations. Mr. Rowan’s exit was announced in late March, the same day as the company said former co-CEO Jim Balsillie was stepping down from the board.

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