Press Releases

Nintendo Partners with Creative Channel Services to Establish Customized Online Retail Training Center for Nintendo GameCube Launch

“The Nintendo Link” Website Offers Comprehensive Sales Training for Retail Sales Professionals on Company’s Gaming Products and Heritage

REDMOND, WA – October 1, 2001 – Nintendo of America, the country’s leading video game company, announced the launch of an innovative new online retail training site hosted by Creative Channel Services (CCS), the leading provider of e-training solutions for the retail technology industry. The site will be used first to bolster the multi-faceted marketing program for the November 18th launch of NINTENDO GAMECUBE in America.

Nintendo has been an industry pioneer in many facets of its retail marketing program, but this is the first time it has included comprehensive online retail training. “The Nintendo Link” will be hosted at www.CyberScholar.com, and ensure that a nationwide sales force of qualified professionals is fully equipped to inform consumers, and guide them towards Nintendo’s full product line.

“At Nintendo, we highly value the work of sales associates representing our products on the retail frontlines, and it was very important to us to create a program that would allow them to do the best work possible,” said John Moore, Nintendo’s Director of Retail Marketing. “We chose CCS as our strategic retail training partner based on the company’s industry track record, established site traffic, web development applications and project management capabilities.”

Featuring the branded look and feel of the Nintendo corporate website, “The Nintendo Link” multi-media training and promotional website offers sales professionals a complete Nintendo resource containing sales tools, training modules, and company information designed to help prepare retailers nationwide for the November 18, 2001 release date of NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Comprehensive training curricula, valuable prize incentives, and an interactive, rich media training format make “The Nintendo Link” one of the country’s premier retail resources for online product education and informative sales supplements.

As the proven leader in sales training and product education programs for the retail channel since 1995, CCS offers Nintendo the benefits of unparalleled channel marketing expertise, major retail partnerships, and innovative program tracking and reporting functionalities. In addition to the comprehensive online CyberScholar.com training site, CCS’ established retail audience guarantees Nintendo the ability to reach thousands of qualified retail sales associates each month.

“Historically, Nintendo has been successful in creating long-term brand effectiveness with consumers and retailers alike by being innovative in both traditional and non-traditional media. “The Nintendo Link” program, delivered as part of the NINTENDO GAMECUBE launch, is another example of their strategic thinking,” said George Plumb, CCS’ Senior Vice President of Marketing. “CCS is proud to partner with Nintendo in the development of a new online training solution designed to effectively capture the attention of retail sales associates nationwide, creating loyal Nintendo representatives committed to selling the Nintendo brand and product line.”

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy® , Nintendo® 64, Game Boy Advance and the upcoming NINTENDO GAMECUBE™ . Since the release of its first home video game system in 1985, Nintendo has sold more than 1.4 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong® and launching such franchises as Zelda™ and Pokémon® . As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Game Boy Advance or any other Nintendo product, visit the company’s Web site, www.nintendo.com.

About Creative Channel Services, LLC
Creative Channel Services (CCS) is a leading retail marketing agency focused on helping manufacturers and retailers improve sales performance by creating influence at the point of sale. CCS' integrated solutions include field sales & marketing, training development, interactive services and promotional marketing, with a primary focus on creating brand advocacy through retail sales associates. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Culver City, California, CCS is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

For more information, contact:

Mark Boeder, Director of Marketing
Creative Channel Services
310-665-9900, ext. 345
Email Mark Boeder