BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo discusses the company’s evolution beyond smartphones and its growing interest in automotive software and secure communications.
For many people, BlackBerry still evokes the iconic smartphone that was once a staple of corporate America.
But the BlackBerry that CEO John Giamatteo runs today is very different.
The devices that made the brand a household name are gone. In their place is a software company whose technology operates largely behind the scenes, powering the systems of cars, government communications, robotics and medical equipment while securing the communications of governments and other critical organizations.
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“We’re a different company than we were in the device era, but we power the world around us with our software and services in different ways,” Giamatteo told FOX Business.
For Giamatteo, continuing to reinvent the brand meant following a simple principle: do fewer things and do them well.
“Simplify what you’re doing,” Giamatteo said.
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For Giamatteo, continuing to reinvent the brand meant following a simple principle: do fewer things and do them well. (Blackberry)
“Sometimes businesses can get a little too complicated and deal with too many different things,” he added. “So I think focusing on fewer things that you’re going to do really well makes a big difference.”
For BlackBerry, that meant focusing on its automotive software and secure communications businesses.
BlackBerry’s QNX embedded software is now used in more than 275 million vehicles, while 18 of the G20 countries use some form of its secure communications technology.
The transformation is also reflected in its financial results.
BlackBerry reported revenue of $163.3 million for its fiscal 2027 second quarter, up 26% from a year earlier, while adjusted EBITDA jumped 81% to $47 million. QNX revenue soared 27% to a quarterly record of $80.3 million.
Giamatteo also said he takes a numbers-driven approach to running the business.
“I’m kind of a numbers guy,” he said. “I delve into metrics and (key performance indicators). I like to have data on everything.”
He said he reviews BlackBerry’s key performance indicators daily, looking for trends and signs of what’s working and what’s not.
“I’m not saying it’s good, but that’s how I’m wired,” Giamatteo said. “And it allows me to immerse myself in the business in different ways.”
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BlackBerry’s QNX embedded software is now used in more than 275 million vehicles. (Blackberry)
This approach comes after approximately 37 years of experience in the technology industry.
Giamatteo grew up on Long Island and attended St. John’s University in Queens. He began his career in finance before holding leadership positions at several technology companies, including more than six years at McAfee.
His career also took him overseas, with two years in Hong Kong and four years in Tokyo, an experience he described as an “inflection point” in his career.
“It made me a little more curious, a little more intellectually interested in some of these different markets and cultures and what that means,” Giamatteo said.
| Teleprinter | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB | BLACKBERRY LTD. | 8:90 a.m. | -0.22 | -2.41% |
This experience also reinforced a piece of career advice that has stuck with him.
“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. That’s where you really grow. That’s where you really challenge yourself,” he said.
Giamatteo said a leadership development program earlier in his career allowed him to gain experience in marketing, product, sales and operations, helping him better understand how a business works.
“I really think, on a personal level, it has helped me grow and develop in my career,” he said, encouraging others to venture beyond their own areas of expertise. “I think you’ll be better off in the long run.”
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For those just starting out in their careers, Giamatteo said one piece of advice takes precedence over others. (Blackberry)
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For those just starting out in their careers, Giamatteo said one piece of advice takes precedence over others.
“Network as much as you can,” he said. “I really think that’s the most critical point, no matter what industry you’re in.”
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