Countdown to E3: Getting to Know Your Presenters – Reggie (9 Days to Go)
Posted on May 29 2011 by Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
The countdown now ticks over to only 9 days until Nintendo’s 2011 E3 Presentation. In today’s countdown feature, we start a bit of a mini-series within our countdown called “Getting to Know Your Presenters”. How well do you know the figureheads of Nintendo who will be presenting at this years E3 conference?
Today we introduce you to the legend himself – Reggie Fils-Aime. Now the man god legend really needs no introduction, but come on inside to get to know the President of Nintendo of America, and experience his journey from mere man to legend.
Quick Facts
- Name: Reginald Fils-Aime
- Also Known As: Reggie, The Regginator, God
- Position: President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America
- DOB: March 25, 1961
Life Before Nintendo
Reggie was born in the USA in 1961 to his parents who migrated from Haiti. He later attended Brentwood High School, and then Cornell University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics in 1983.
The next twenty years of the Regginator’s life were about going from job to job and moving up in the world. After graduating from his degree Reggie was employed at Procter & Gamble, and then moved on to take the position of Senior Director of National Marketing at Pizza Hut. There he was responsible for the “Bigfoot Pizza” and “The Big New Yorker”.
Reggie has also spent time as the Head of Marketing for Guinness in the United States, Chief Marketing Officer at Derby Cycle Corporation, Managing Director at Raleigh in the UK, Senior Vice President at Panda Management Co., and most notably of all – other than Nintendo – is his time as the Senior Vice President of the popular music channel VH1. At VH1 he is credited as having increased ratings by 30% through refocusing the channel’s content so that it appealed to a younger audience.
During this time Reggie was married and divorced, having three children. He is now with long-term girlfriend Stacey Stanner, who he met at VH1.
Life at Nintendo
It is his work at VH1 where he caught Nintendo’s attention; perhaps due to his ability to target younger audiences. He joined Nintendo in December 2003 as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing where he was responsible for the United States, Canada and Latin America.
Reggie made his E3 debut in 2004 with his epic quote “My name is Reggie. I’m about kickin’ ass, I’m about takin’ names, and we’re about makin’ games.”. This was notably different from Nintendo’s usual child-friendly image, which was ironically potentially one of the reasons he was hired. Nevertheless, this line gained him celebrity status, and from there he has only increased to legend.
During his time at Nintendo Reggie has improved Nintendo’s image in the US and around the world as more “hardcore” than once believed. Back in 2004 he triggered the “Reggielution”, and since then we’ve never looked back. This has spurred his large cult-like following on the web, of which Zelda Informer is one of his many temples of worship.
In 2006 – May 25th to be precise – mere man became legend as Reggie took on the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America. He succeeded former president Tatsumi Kimishima, and is interestingly, the first American to be the President of Nintendo of America.
Since then Reggie has moved from legend, to God – providing so many epic moments, quotes and interviews. He could even be said to be the face of Nintendo in the western world. At E3 2007 he gave to man the greatest of internet memes in “My body is ready”! Reggie continues to be the deity that he is, dominating E3 presentations and interviews all year ‘round. The day that Reggie is no longer President will be a sad one, and for whoever takes up his mantle – you will have some seriously large boots to fill. I believe in Reggie Fils-Aime.
