Nintendo of America names two new execs

Nintendo of America has announced the appointment of two sales and marketing executives at the company's new Bay Area office in Redwood City, California.

Denise Kaigler joins as vice president of marketing and corporate affairs, replacing Perrin Kaplan, while Bill Van Zyll becomes the new director and general manager of Latin America. Van Zyll's appointment is effective immediately, while Kaigler starts February 18.

"Denise and Bill bring a wealth of branding and marketing experience to our team," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive VP of sales and marketing.

"Their expertise will help us keep Nintendo's momentum going strong throughout 2008 and beyond."

Kaigler comes to Nintendo following a 16-year tenure at Reebok International, where she served as head of global corporate communications and corporate citizenship. She also serves as head of corporate communications in the United States for the adidas Group, the parent company of Reebok.

Van Zyll comes to Nintendo of America after more than 15 years at the Whirlpool Corporation, where for the past four years he has served as director of fiance for sales for the company's North American region. Van Zyll is fluent in English, Spanish and Dutch, and proficient in Italian.