A new linear trinuclear nickel(II) complex, [Ni3(salme)2(OCn)4] (Hsalme = 2-[(3-methylamino-propylimino)-methyl]-phenol, OCn = cinnamate), showing weak ferromagnetic coupling (J = 1.8(1) cm-1) through phenoxo and a novel tridentate bridging mode (1κ2OO′:2κO′) of the cinnamate ligand has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. © 2009 Elsevier B.V.