Koch Media has stepped up its focus on Nintendo products by expanding its team to sell into new markets.

Three years after launching the Nindie.com division, the company has responded to the recent widening of the supply chain for Nintendo products by increasing its investment in both existing and new areas.

Michael Pappalardo has been appointed by Koch to maximise opportunities in the health club and sports shops markets, as well as continuing the work the company has already done with local health authorities around the country.

At the same time, Gary Gibbons has recently been hired to focus on the fast growing mobile phone and home shopping markets.

Pappalardo and Gibbons will work alongside the Nindie.com division, which boasts seven dedicated sales staff.

“We enjoy a close and dynamic relationship with the independent retail community. Over the last three years we have invested heavily in fresh ideas that have genuinely  supported this much maligned market sector,” said Koch Media boss Craig McNicol (pictured).

“These new customer sectors we are targeting will not deter us from our drive to be the champion of indies for the Nintendo formats.

“It is important to continue to seek new business though, and these new opportunities will be fed initially by a small range of relevant products that will not deter from the stock destined for the independent games retail sector.”

Koch launched the Nindie.com division in 2006, introducing a number of innovations to aid smaller retailers and effectively revive Nintendo loyalties at the specialist end of the trade.

Nindie.com was immediately well received by retail and applauded by the industry at large, which helped Koch Media to win Best Distribution Team at the MCV Industry Excellence Awards in 2007.