Following a storied tenure at the helm of Nintendo’s North American division, Doug Bowser—the man whose name was a delightful coincidence for Mario fans everywhere—has officially embarked on his next chapter. After announcing his retirement from Nintendo last autumn, Bowser concluded his nearly seven-year run as President and COO on December 31. While he was widely recognized as the public face of the company through his frequent appearances in Nintendo Directs and industry events, his hiatus from corporate leadership proved short-lived. Just weeks after stepping down, Bowser has secured a prestigious new role on the board of directors at Hasbro.
According to a recent announcement, Bowser and Carla Vernón, the current CEO of The Honest Company, have both been appointed to Hasbro’s directorate. Rich Stoddart, the chair of Hasbro’s board, expressed enthusiasm for the new additions, stating that their collective expertise in franchise management and consumer branding will be “invaluable” as the company pursues its long-term growth and innovation strategies.
While Bowser may no longer be leading a console manufacturer, his influence will continue to ripple through the gaming landscape. Hasbro’s portfolio includes industry giants like Wizards of the Coast, the stewards of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. Given Hasbro’s ownership of these major intellectual properties, Bowser remains a significant figure in the world of tabletop and digital gaming entertainment.
To stay updated on Hasbro’s expanding presence in the digital space, check out the latest on their upcoming titles, including Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons from Invoke Studios, which debuted at the recent Game Awards, and the unannounced action project currently in development at Stig Asmussen’s new studio, Giant Skull.
