Devon Pritchard made her first public appearance as president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America during the 15th Annual New York Game Awards on January 18. She delivered a pre-recorded video message to attendees.
Former NOA president Reggie Fils-Aimé introduced the video. He called Pritchard excellent for the role. After her message ended, Fils-Aimé joked that her reference to “gnarly bosses” did not mean him.
Pritchard praised the awardsthe company received for 15 years of industry support. She highlighted the Playing with Purpose program, which aids aspiring creators. She likened careers in games to adventures, urging perseverance for rewards.
Pritchard assumed the role on January 1, succeeding Doug Bowser. He led NOA for six and a half years, including most of the Nintendo Switch era.
Satoru Shibata joined as NOA CEO. Pritchard, who started at Nintendo in 2006, became the first woman in the position.
Why This Matters Today
Pritchard’s promotion came from within after 20 years at Nintendo, including as executive vice president of revenue, marketing, and consumer experience.
Bowser praised her track record. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa expressed confidence in her ability to advance the company’s smile-focused mission.
Her debut highlights Nintendo’s stable U.S. leadership amid rumors of a Switch successor. Marketing expertise positions her to drive consumer outreach. As the first female NOA president, she stressed inclusion for diverse creators.
The message aired days after her start, signaling quick engagement. Industry figures like Fils-Aimé endorsed her publicly.
Our Key Takeaways:
- Devon Pritchard gave her first speech as NOA president via video at the New York Game Awards.
- Her internal rise ensures continuity while marking a diversity milestone for Nintendo leadership.
- You will see her impact on Nintendo Directs and marketing for the next hardware.
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