Nintendo creates new position to oversee expanding online strategy

Nintendo of America has hired Disney Interactive veteran Duncan Orrell-Jones for its newly created SVP of network business position, which oversees the company's expanding online strategy for its 3DS and Wii U consoles. The company has long suffered criticism for falling behind its competitors when it comes to implementing online services, but Nintendo is making efforts to place more emphasis on online features in its latest consoles. Those efforts include adding the ability for 3DS owners to buy retail games through the 3DS's eShop store, making social interactions a key feature for its upcoming Wii U console, and now the creation of a new position to manage these initiatives. Reporting to Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime, Orrell-Jones will be tasked with spearheading the development and overseeing the evolution of the platform holder's digital strategies. Orrell-Jones previously worked at the Walt Disney Company for nearly 20 years, most recently serving as the SVP for the Disney Interactive Media Group that managed the company's PC, console, mobile, social, and web games.