Nintendo of America today announced that it has hired its first ever senior vice president of network business. Duncan Orrell-Jones (pictured) will be taking the newly-created position starting July 1. Nintendo states that Orrell-Jones will be heading up the development of Nintendo of America’s digital strategy for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U video game consoles. He will be reporting directly to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.
“Duncan Orrell-Jones brings knowledge and hands-on experience to Nintendo that will help us develop and implement long-term digital initiatives for our systems,” Fils-Aime said. “By creating this new position we’re demonstrating our commitment to the expansion of our online business, and Duncan is the perfect person for the job.”
The creation of a network business SVP position shows a new focus that Nintendo is placing on its online services. The company has been constantly releasing content for its e-Shop, and has expanded its portable online options on its 3DS handhelds. More importantly, Nintendo recently announced that it is jumping onto the downloadable content (DLC) bandwagon by offering downloadable Coin Rush levels for purchase in the months following the game’s release.
Orrell-Jones will be leaving his position as senior vice president of Disney Interactive (Disney’s video game division) to take on the Nintendo job. There he was responsible for expanding Disney’s game business outside of the U.S., and at one point served as general manager for Disney Interactive’s Asia Pacific division in Tokyo.