Commander and Blackberry

Really interesting article in the NY Times earlier this week about Barack Obama's obsession with his Blackberry. The article goes onto say that all the drama in the press mentioning how attached the future president is to his Blackberry could mean up to $50 Million in free advertising for device maker Research In Motion.

Nothing really new here. Celebrity figures have always had a positive affect on products when they are caught on camera using them, buying them, wearing them, etc. Sports stars sign huge endorsement deals all the time to supplement their ridiculous well-deserved salaries.

What is different about this situation is the fact that Barack is about to become the leader of the free world and will arguably be the most visible person on the planet, thereby making him more figurative in the general public's daily life. What's more, because of some archaic law about all presedential correspondence needing to be kept for eventual release to the public, Obama's makers will try and persuade him to give up the device during his presidency. God forbid the president be allowed to fire off quick email messages in a crisis situation while he's on his way to Air Force One.

What happens to RIM if and when their most popular endorser is forced to give up his prized possession? I guess they have to go back to John Mayer promoting them.