BlackBerry-maker RIM admits panned Apple flashmob was a marketing stunt

BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion has admitted their role in organizing an anti-Appleflashmob outside a Sydney, Australia Apple Store last week.

The stunt, which saw dozens of black-clothed people arrive outside the Sydney store in a coach bus and wave “Wake up” signs at Apple customers inside the shop, drew criticism in the blogosphere as an “embarrassing” marketing attempt.

The Waterloo-based company issued a statement Monday evening taking ownership for the protest. The campaign is said to be part of RIM’s promotion for BlackBerry OS 10, the company’s next major release of the BlackBerry operating system.

“We can confirm that the Australian ‘Wake Up’ campaign, which involves a series of experiential activities taking place across Sydney and Melbourne, was created by RIM Australia,” the company said in a statement.