Nintendo has announced today that it has appointed a new European Marketing & Networks Director, Jim Merrick, effective from January. He will be responsible for all pan-European marketing activities across 18 countries and will co-ordinate the top-line strategy across advertising, promotions, online, direct marketing and retail.

A longstanding employee of Nintendo of America, the role sees Jim Merrick transfer his skills to Nintendo of Europe, bringing with him a wealth of marketing management experience from his previous role as Nintendo Network Marketing Director, based in Seattle. In this capacity, Merrick was the chief technical member of an international innovation and product development team for two years, in addition to working closely with other divisions and partners in Japan, North America and Europe to explore the potential of various networking opportunities. Prior to this, Merrick spent six years as Technical Director for Nintendo of America, a key member of their management team with numerous responsibilities including defining, creating and implementing systems to support Nintendo's software quality assurance.

Merrick will continue to build on the success of Nintendo GameCube, and will be focusing on the major upcoming games such as Metroid Prime, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and 1080� Avalanche. He will also continue to drive the phenomenal success of Game Boy Advance, which is the fastest selling console ever. Merrick will work closely with Nintendo's subsidiaries, distributors and agencies to ensure a continued integrated brand presence for the company's biggest franchises including NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Game Boy Advance, Pokémon and Mario.

David Gosen, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing for Nintendo of Europe comments:
"Nintendo is moving into a very exciting, creative and innovative time. Jim brings with him a wealth of brand experience and understanding of the market that will ensure a fully integrated marketing drive as Nintendo looks to its next era of gaming."