Doug Bowser announced his departure from the position of president of the American branch of Nintendo. He will officially conclude his duties on December 31, and he will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, who is currently the vice president of the marketing department.
Pritchard joined Nintendo 19 years ago and is described as a long-time member of the team leading Nintendo of America. Satoru Shibata, who was the president of the European branch, will also join Pritchard in a leadership position.
Bowser became president in April 2019 after the departure of Reggie Fils-Aimé and quickly became a meme in the community due to his last name, which is also the name of the main antagonist in Super Mario.
"One of my first gaming experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong. Since then, everything related to Nintendo has become a great passion for me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been a life honor, and I am very happy with what the team has achieved both in sales results and in creating experiences for players."
"Now is the time for a new generation of leadership, and Devon's portfolio speaks for itself. She is an exceptional leader, and her promotion is a testament to her work and strategic contribution to the company's growth. I have full confidence that she will take Nintendo to even greater heights," said Bowser.
Pritchard added: "I am honored and excited about the new role. Doug has been a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to what lies ahead on the foundations he has laid. With characters and worlds that offer something for everyone, my focus will be on building Nintendo's legacy that surprises our longtime fans while also welcoming new ones into our family."
Shuntaro Furukawa reflected on Bowser's departure with the following statement: "During his tenure, Doug made a significant contribution to putting smiles on the faces of those connected to our company. I want to express my gratitude for everything he has done."
"Devon, who will become president, has also contributed to Nintendo over the years. I am confident that, like Doug, she will continue the mission of creating smiles."
