Last year, Doug Bowser, one of the most ironically named people of all time, announced his impending retirement from Nintendo. Initially taking the role in April of 2019, he served as the chief operating officer and president of Nintendo of America for nearly seven years. Thanks to his regular appearances at public events, during Nintendo Directs, and in interviews, he was also one of the faces of the company, so his departure was big news. However, despite leaving his position just a few weeks ago on December 31, Bowser has already found a new gig – serving on the board of Hasbro.
Doug Bowser shakes hands with Bowser Bowser
A press release from this morning announced that Bowser and Carla Vernón (CEO of The Honest Company, Inc.) have been appointed to Hasbro’s board of directors. The press release includes a statement from the board’s current chair, Rich Stoddart, who says, “Doug and Carla bring extensive leadership experience across consumer brands and franchise management. Their expertise and guidance will be invaluable as Hasbro continues to execute its long-term innovation and growth strategy.”
While Bowser himself likely won’t be making headlines on Game Informer anymore, his influence will still be felt in the gaming space. In addition to IP marketed more towards younger kids, like Peppa Pig or Play-Doh, Hasbro owns Transformers and Wizards of the Coast, the company in charge of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, properties we cover quite frequently. At the very least, it’s a job where people won’t make fun of his name as much.
For more on the intersection between Hasbro and video games, read about the two in-development D&D games: Invoke’s Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, recently revealed at the Game Awards, and an untitled action game from Giant Skull, a studio founded by Star Wars: Jedi director Stig Asmussen.
