Every year, Business 2.0 compiles a list of 50 people and “other things” that they believe matter the most to the continuously evolving business world. This year, Nintendo’s poster-boy made the list, coming in at #20. Check out his description below!
Shigeru Miyamoto
Senior managing director, Nintendo
Rank: 20Why he matters: If you recognize the name Donkey Kong, Mario, or Zelda, you’re familiar with Miyamoto’s work — and if you’ve come within shouting distance of a 14-year-old lately, you’ve probably heard about his latest creation: the Nintendo Wii.
The Wii’s motion-sensitive controller has injected a physical dimension into the videogame business, but the real genius of the Wii may be that it appeals to people outside Nintendo’s traditional middle-school demographic. By marketing the Wii aggressively to 25-to 49-year-olds, Miyamoto is breathing new life into a $30 billion industry that was starting to stagnate.
It’s good to know they feel Miyamoto matters to the world… for inventing the Wii and, as Matt puts it, “single-handedly marketing the entire thing.” Still, it’s good to be recognized. Congrats to Mr. Miyamoto for making the cut!
