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Perrin (and Harrison) leaving NOA! Say It Ain't So!
- Thread starter schuelma
- Start date
After all the awesome work they did for the Gamecube, who cares? Not to mention that non-game game sales are lagging behind the two other territories. NOA's success with the Wii and the DS hasn't been a result of their marketing prowess as much as it has NCL's vision and great products.
Phife Dawg
Member
So more good news for Nintendo, eh? Bye bye Perrin, you won't be missed.
Chris Remo
Member
Nuclear Muffin
Banned
Bull****! There's no way that a whopping 90% of the staff would leave, no chance in hell!
Also why would Perrin or George leave anyway, the company is on the rise! and George has been there for 15 years!
Besides, Nintendo wouldn't keep quiet about George or Perrin leaving, they're always very open about what staff of theirs leave and what staff replace them.
Also why would Perrin or George leave anyway, the company is on the rise! and George has been there for 15 years!
Besides, Nintendo wouldn't keep quiet about George or Perrin leaving, they're always very open about what staff of theirs leave and what staff replace them.
The Sphinx said:
http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/05/nintendo_vp_har.html
So, can anyone put together a list of the power structure at Nintendo in the Arakawa days, and then mark off all the people who are gone?
90%? How big was the sales and marketing division in the first place? I realize that Nintendo likes saving money and hates marketing (well, okay, they've done better with marketing since DS--but it was just horrible in GC and N64 days, and you can still see remnants of ineptitude with Virtual Console falling just short of invisibility to most consumers), but still...
I don't know. I'm reluctant to believe it until it happens.
I don't know. I'm reluctant to believe it until it happens.
Dr. Kitty Muffins
Member
I don't understand how they could screw themselves like this when everything was going so well.
Kobun Heat
Member
About sixty people were said to be moving, so if 90% of them are staying behind that's fifty-four people leaving, roughly.
Of course, since Konami is shutting down its Redwood City office, which was mostly marketing/sales, and a lot of those people are staying behind, I know where Nintendo can fill the gaps.
Of course, since Konami is shutting down its Redwood City office, which was mostly marketing/sales, and a lot of those people are staying behind, I know where Nintendo can fill the gaps.
Dr. Kitty Muffins
Member
Kobun Heat said:
I dunno if I would want that.
Kobun Heat
Member
I don't know if you have a choice.Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
HylianScribe
Member
bune duggy said:
The Bay Area is not SoCal, it is considered NorCal. It's about 5 hours with no traffic from Los Angeles, CA., to San Francisco, CA., driving.
Should have seen this coming. Perrin hinted at this in that interview last month with Game Informer, and Nintendo of America posted their jobs (about 5 exec-level sales and marketing jobs) on their Job Board last week.
I'm aslo concerned about the online department. Two guys I know there, Andy Hartpence (guy who runs the forums and helps make the microsites) and Daniel Owsen I think may be affected by the move to New York. I hope they don't depart. I'll never get my interview with Owsen about the early localization days and figure out some truth to some rather annoying misconceptions about localization back then.
I guess we'll be getting a big press release about all of this soon - about people departing along with Nintendo Power's entire team being re-organized (or let go) for the outsourcing.
Chris Remo said:
He was asked to move, and at the time did not show any objection to it. He probably gave notice after that information was made public. I mean, people have changed their minds in even a shorter time frame (see Coach Donovan of The Univeristy of Florida).
Dr. Kitty Muffins
Member
Kobun Heat said:
They don't have to have marketers who have worked in games before. Not everyone in the industry (any aspect of it) got their start there. Shoot, Peter Moore once worked at Reebok.
citrus lump
Banned
BRING IN THE CLONES!!!
Wait, unless this was some stealth move to get rid of old timers that weren't doing any good, this is a colossal muckup. (Like others have said, you'd probably want to consult with your staff before deciding to move.) From the outside, it seemed as if Perrin was becoming less informed than before. It's not really her fault that she thought the Wii was region free - she only knows what NCL tells her. Of course that "gamers don't shower" sentence was pretty bad PR - never diss your customers.
Aren't sales and marketing doing a great job? The DS and Wii are doing pretty damn well over here, unless Nintendo are thinking they can do better? (Well, doesn't help if there's still no excess supply.) And cutting costs as a reason would be idiotic, don't risk what's working for a tiny bit of extra margin.
I guess Reggie will get to pick most of his team now. But supposedly he's actually not moving east, so who's going to be in charge there?
About, Leslie Swan, she is sorta-essential. She's still the voice of (english) Peach, I think.
Maybe GameInformer is wrong this time? It really seems strange.
It might be an interesting, beneficial change, though. As far as I can tell, most people at NoA started low and worked up the ladder, without any outside hires; Reggie was the first to change this trend. Maybe they're finally doing outside hires to find skills they didn't have in workers who started at the company from the bottom?
Aren't sales and marketing doing a great job? The DS and Wii are doing pretty damn well over here, unless Nintendo are thinking they can do better? (Well, doesn't help if there's still no excess supply.) And cutting costs as a reason would be idiotic, don't risk what's working for a tiny bit of extra margin.
I guess Reggie will get to pick most of his team now. But supposedly he's actually not moving east, so who's going to be in charge there?
About, Leslie Swan, she is sorta-essential. She's still the voice of (english) Peach, I think.
Maybe GameInformer is wrong this time? It really seems strange.
It might be an interesting, beneficial change, though. As far as I can tell, most people at NoA started low and worked up the ladder, without any outside hires; Reggie was the first to change this trend. Maybe they're finally doing outside hires to find skills they didn't have in workers who started at the company from the bottom?
HocusPocus
Member
It may be different in the videogame field, but working for a Japanese company I can honestly state that losing these people means very little. They didn't talk unless Japan said to talk, they didn't go anywhere unless Japan said to go there, etc. Very much a puppet mentality for most Japanese corporations with their PR teams especially. Well pretty much anyone at those companies.
Nuclear Muffin
Banned
TSA said:
Oh crap, why the hell did this go unnoticed by the press until now?! Damn, this sucks, this really really sucks.
I still don`t understand why exactly they`re even making the move to NY, wouldn`t it actually be more expensive to run it there?
And why is Nintendo Power now getting outsourced anyway, why the sudden change of heart? None of these actions make any damn sense to me, they all just seem counter productive!
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
Nuclear Muffin said:
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
Father_Brain said:
HylianScribe
Member
The job posting list on Nintendo.com isn't exactly the biggest source for breaking news...and rather than just report the speculation, which I personally tend to abstain from, I tried to get some comments from NOA about the postings...
Of course, legally speaking, you're never allowed to say anything more than "so-and-so no longer works for the company" once they've left, unless the person publicly reveals information, in which case it is fair game. Nintendo would never be allowed to comment on these people's career decisions until after the decision was finalized. These reports so far are from anonymous sources, probably the people themselves or one of them. It would never be in a public statement unless, of course as mentioned, the people okayed it or revealed the info in public already that the company wishes to pass along to the press.
I mean, if one of them were fired, rather than resigning, Nintendo couldn't say "Perrin Kaplan was fired" without fear of a lawsuit from her. However, when she is gone, fired or resigned, they can say "she has moved on and no longer works here".
Of course, legally speaking, you're never allowed to say anything more than "so-and-so no longer works for the company" once they've left, unless the person publicly reveals information, in which case it is fair game. Nintendo would never be allowed to comment on these people's career decisions until after the decision was finalized. These reports so far are from anonymous sources, probably the people themselves or one of them. It would never be in a public statement unless, of course as mentioned, the people okayed it or revealed the info in public already that the company wishes to pass along to the press.
I mean, if one of them were fired, rather than resigning, Nintendo couldn't say "Perrin Kaplan was fired" without fear of a lawsuit from her. However, when she is gone, fired or resigned, they can say "she has moved on and no longer works here".
citrus lump
Banned
Nuclear Muffin said:
If a new Nintendo Power means monthly demo discs, I'm all for it. Chances of that are pretty slim, as far as Nintendo's own games go.
More like fifty-four quitting, six leaving. Even if they stay, they have to go.Kobun Heat said:
Although Phil said about sixty people were moving (before he apparently decided not to), but I found a link saying Nintendo wanted to move 80 people. Twenty people might have chosen to resign immediately, without even needing to think it over.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/314823_nintendo08ww.html
So that's maybe around 72 people in Nintendo's sales and marketing divisions quitting their jobs, and 8 people willing to move.
Kaplan says about 950 other employees from the Treehouse and warehouse jobs are staying in Seattle...
http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200705/N07.0524.1505.21273.htm
...and Game Informer says the only executives left in Seattle are former President Tatsumi Kimishita and current President Reggie.
http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200706/N07.0606.1409.37781.htm
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
Note:
This was originally designed in response to a "that dude looks just like Kanye West" comment from the PK App. thread, with the attached comment "NINTENDO DOESN'T CARE ABOUT GRAPHICS." I thought it was interesting take on what Kanye said about the Katrina. Nobody thought it was funny, then.
Seems particularly poignant now.
Phife Dawg
Member
It's but a small price we have to pay. He was an old geezer anyways :lol .Haunted One said::lol The good news for Nintendo never stop!
George.
PantherLotus
Professional Schmuck
lastendconductor
Put your snobby liquids into my mouth!
Supa said:I'm still mad at Perrin for giving me false hope that the Wii would be region free! Also, she picks her nose almost the entire time during interviews, I'm not sure what kind of PR that is?
Nuclear Muffin
Banned
The bitter irony in all this is that not only do most of the marketing team leave just as they`ve finally gotten their butts into gear and are doing very well at last, but they do it just after SCEA announce their layoffs, which in turn shortly follow after layoffs from SCEE.
Now all we need is to see staff leave from NOE and from MS`s EU and US divisions and the circle will be complete
Now all we need is to see staff leave from NOE and from MS`s EU and US divisions and the circle will be complete
Pokeylongo
Member
Wii ads have been really good, so I wonder how this will affect it. However, bringing in new blood might bring a new approach to advertising and could be good for Wii (assuming they do that instead of promoting people). Either way, I say good luck to them. They've been there through all sorts of shit so it's kind of sad to see them go.
Further confirmation from IGN:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/794/794650p1.html
"Senior Director of Public Relations Beth Llewelyn, Vice President of Marking and Corporate Affairs Perrin Kaplan, and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications George Harrison will all be leaving Nintendo of America in the near future. The exact date of their departures is unknown and a little event called E3 is coming up next month."
(Will update the OP)
http://wii.ign.com/articles/794/794650p1.html
"Senior Director of Public Relations Beth Llewelyn, Vice President of Marking and Corporate Affairs Perrin Kaplan, and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications George Harrison will all be leaving Nintendo of America in the near future. The exact date of their departures is unknown and a little event called E3 is coming up next month."
(Will update the OP)
pizzapizza64
Member
PR and marketing have tons of turnover anyway...it is surprising to see people in management positions leaving like this, though.
Maybe Game Informer is doing their April fool jokes extra early this year to catch GAF off guard.
Maybe Game Informer is doing their April fool jokes extra early this year to catch GAF off guard.
HylianScribe
Member
I don't think NOA's marketing team actually makes the ads. Typically a company will outsource to an agency, and marketing gives direction and approves the specs, but they have very little to do with the creative.
Reads like an obituary...
Reads like an obituary...
Jive Turkey
Unconfirmed Member
Sure it is...If you drive 120 MPH or don't stop for gas.TSA said:
Yeah, perhaps Reggie's role is a bit overstated, but I do consider him more relevant and important to today's NoA than all three of those execs combined. And a new marketing department might not be so bad, especially if they move back home to NY and hire some of our edgy, city bastards!
HylianScribe
Member
Um...Mapquest Says...
Distance: 382.30 miles
Honestly, though, I've made it to San Fran in less than 5 hours before doing only 80mph from Santa Monica. and stopping once for gas. Again, with no traffic, it is possible. But in reality, it takes like 6.5 hours on average to make it up the I-5 to Sacramento area, or the 101 to the bay area, or to reach NorCal, period.
I drive it at least 5-6 times a year...about 2-3 times to each area, and I live in southern Orange County, which is an additional hour from Los Angeles. It takes me around six and a half hours to reach San Fran for GDC, around 5.5 hours to reach San Jose for Fanime, and around 6.5 hours to reach Sacramento to go home for the holidays to my girlfriend's mother's home.
Edit: My point is, you can't live in SoCal and work for Nintendo in San Francisco unless you are already rich and can fly between LAX or John Wayne to SFO.
Distance: 382.30 miles
Honestly, though, I've made it to San Fran in less than 5 hours before doing only 80mph from Santa Monica. and stopping once for gas. Again, with no traffic, it is possible. But in reality, it takes like 6.5 hours on average to make it up the I-5 to Sacramento area, or the 101 to the bay area, or to reach NorCal, period.
I drive it at least 5-6 times a year...about 2-3 times to each area, and I live in southern Orange County, which is an additional hour from Los Angeles. It takes me around six and a half hours to reach San Fran for GDC, around 5.5 hours to reach San Jose for Fanime, and around 6.5 hours to reach Sacramento to go home for the holidays to my girlfriend's mother's home.
Edit: My point is, you can't live in SoCal and work for Nintendo in San Francisco unless you are already rich and can fly between LAX or John Wayne to SFO.
Nuclear Muffin
Banned
muffin's brother - mdtauk
It is a shame some long standing faces have decided they have to leave. It's hard to say goodbye to people, but the move to NY makes sense when you deal in Marketing. And as many European branding and advertising agencies have NY offices, perhaps that will help us in the UK. London and New York are the world leaders in this field.
If this means the need for fresh blood, we can put the Mario Sunshine "clean up" campaign, and the badly dubbed UK New Super Mario Bros adverts, behind us. And perhaps Nintendo will have some great future advert campaigns, which capture the public's imagination, like Sony did with its Bravia Paint and Coloured Balls campaigns.
Remember when Yamauchi handed over to Iwata, that led to great success for Nintendo...
It is a shame some long standing faces have decided they have to leave. It's hard to say goodbye to people, but the move to NY makes sense when you deal in Marketing. And as many European branding and advertising agencies have NY offices, perhaps that will help us in the UK. London and New York are the world leaders in this field.
If this means the need for fresh blood, we can put the Mario Sunshine "clean up" campaign, and the badly dubbed UK New Super Mario Bros adverts, behind us. And perhaps Nintendo will have some great future advert campaigns, which capture the public's imagination, like Sony did with its Bravia Paint and Coloured Balls campaigns.
Remember when Yamauchi handed over to Iwata, that led to great success for Nintendo...
Kobun Heat
Member
I'm sure this was a really difficult decision for everyone involved, and I'm sure the decision to move the marketing department to San Francisco wasn't made lightly.
BrodiemanTTR
Member
Sad to see Harrison go. He was never a Photoshop icon, but he was a good guy. Who I'm not sorry to see go, despite what ramifications it might have for the Internet community, is Perrin Kaplan. Maybe now interviewers who are actually interested in talking Nintendo in their publications can get a halfway decent answer out of a Nintendo PR rep instead of condescending looks and circular logic.
ironichaos
Member
I think Iwata and Reggie are looking to get some new blood into the marketing and sales teams and this "relocation" was simply a way to sort've force the old thinkers to move on. If they truly were important to Nintendo, then the relocation would be called off. But it's still happening, so the conclusion is pretty clear.
Anyway, here's some bios from NOA.
Anyway, here's some bios from NOA.