Nintendo Vice President Announces Retirement; 16-Year Veteran John A. Sakaley III Known for Interactive Innovations

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2004--Nintendo's Vice President, Merchandising, John A. Sakaley III, retires at the end of this month from the position he served with distinction for more than 16 years.

Sakaley, who joined Nintendo of America Inc. in 1987, pioneered the first shop-within-a-shop in-store display in the video game industry. He also created the first hands-on interactive displays allowing customers to try video games before they buy them. Since 2000, his team at Nintendo has placed more than 40,000 interactive displays at more than 15,000 retail locations.

"We'll benefit from John's numerous outstanding contributions for years to come," says Tatsumi Kimishima, president, Nintendo of America Inc. "We thank him for his many years of service, and wish him well in the future."

Sakaley was promoted to Vice President, Merchandising, in July 1997. During his retirement, he plans to work as a retail display and merchandising consultant with his company, JSakaley3 Inc.

His innovations at Nintendo were not limited to retail stores. In 1990, Sakaley developed the Nintendo Fun Center, a mobile entertainment kiosk outfitted with Nintendo games and hardware that is used bedside to help hospitalized children better handle pain and boredom. Thousands of these units have been placed in hospitals around the country. Throughout his career, Sakaley has received dozens of industry accolades, including the 1995 P-O-P Times and the 1997 Point-of-Purchase Advertising International Hall of Fame Awards.

Prior to joining Nintendo, Sakaley worked for the General Mills Toy Group, Kenner Products, International Toy Corp. and Burdines Department Store.

Sakaley earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, and an MBA from Xavier University. During the Vietnam War, he served as a captain with U.S. Army Intelligence. He has been active in a number of charitable, religious and community organizations, including the Starlight Children's Foundation, the Notre Dame Alumni Association, Knights of Columbus, the Boys & Girls Club, the Annual Bishop's Appeal, Mary Queen of Peace parish Finance Committee, the Special Olympics and the United Way. He lives in Sammamish, Wash., with his wife, Margo, and daughters Melissa and Christina.