Thank You For Everything
All good things must come to an end. After 15 years with Nintendo, Reggie Fils-Aime is set to retire, naming current Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug Bowser as his replacement.
Reggie Fils-Aime has been Nintendo of America’s President and COO for 13 of 15 years of his time with the company, bringing joy to fans during that period. Nintendo’s President Shuntaro Furukawa said of Reggie – “I really appreciate everything Reggie has done for Nintendo, inside and outside our company, Reggie is known as an exceptional leader. We are grateful that he is leaving the business in good shape with strong momentum. While we will miss him and we wish him the very best in his retirement, we are also pleased to have such an able successor ready to step into that role. Doug Bowser and the rest of the team will ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum for Nintendo.”
Reggie’s journey with Nintendo started back in 2003 as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and saw him transition to President and COO in May of 2006. His leadership and personality helped expand Nintendo of America’s audience and record breaking sales for the DS, 3DS, Wii and Switch systems. His statement about leaving is as follows: “Nintendo owns a part of my heart forever, it’s a part that is filled with gratitude – for the incredibly talented people I’ve worked with, for the opportunity to represent such a wonderful brand, and most of all, to feel like a member of the world’s most positive and enduring gamer community. As I look forward to departing in both good health and good humor, this is not ‘game over’ for me, but instead ‘leveling up’ to more time with my wife, family and friends.”
So who is Doug Bowser? He’s not a cleverly disguised Koopa. but rather an industry veteran who joined Nintendo of America back in 2015. In his position of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, he led the efforts that saw the Nintendo Switch become the fastest-selling video game console in a 21 month period.
It’s hard for me personally to accept Reggie is leaving – he’s the only Nintendo of America President I’ve ever known, and I always look forward to seeing him in presentations or during conventions. I think Doug has big shoes to fill (also Doug isn’t as fun to say as Reggie!) but I look forward to the future of Nintendo. Reggie’s last day with the company will be April 15th, when Doug Bowser will take over.
Thank you so much Reggie, our bodies were never ready.