Nintendo takes big hit: Kaplan and Harrison quit

mariosLast month, we reported that Nintendo of America’s sales and marketing offices were moving out from their cozy Redmond, Washington headquarrters to either San Francisco or New York. It looks like the move wasn’t well-embraced by everyone at Mario and Company, so it seems.

Beth Llewelyn, Senior Director of Public Relations; Perrin Kaplan, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs and George Harrison, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications will be turning in their pink slips.

In addition, over 90% of the sales and marketing staff have decided not to make the move either. It’s unknown when the "big three" will officially leave but they have indicated that they will stay until Nintendo’s showing at this year’s downsized E3 event.

Only two marketing executives will remain; Tatsumi Kimishima, Chairman and CEO of Nintendo of America and our favorite, Reggie Fils-Aime, President and COO of Nintendo of America. It’s unknown if they’ll be packing their bags for the expected move to NY or SF.

The exit of three of Nintendo’s top executives is an earth-shaking blow to the company which has experience nothing but bumper crop success with the DS and Wii. Of special note, Kaplan and Harrison have been intrumental in the marketing success of the Wii — their sudden departure is sure to send waves of uncertainty throughout corporate headquarters.

[with additional reporting by Frank Ling]

[Via Game Informer]

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Author: GamerNode Staff View all posts by

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