The American Heart Association's 'Heart Check' logo will appear on the Nintendo Wii and select software titles' packaging in an exclusive arrangement. The health organization cites the Wii's fitness focus and the need to reach out to gamers as its reasons for the endorsement. Nintendo Co. is donating $1.5 million to the AHA as part of the
partnership.
Nintendo and the American Heart Association have combined forces to
create a website called Active Play Now that provides more detail on
the alliance. The AHA's 'Heart Check' logo will appear on the boxes of
the Wii console as well as Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort. The
partnership will also be present in several events, as 'active-play'
Nintendo Wii games will be set up at the AHA's Start Heart Walk events,
and the two organizations will be hosting an 'Innovation Summit' aimed
at further discussing the role of gaming in fitness.
The American Heart Association states that it chose the Wii because of
its more active fitness focus among gaming consoles. The organization
hopes to be able to reach millions of gamers, some of whom may not have
fitness as a priority in their lives.
“Our two organizations come from different worlds, but we share a common
goal,” said AHA president Dr. Clyde Yancy in the press release.
“Showing people accessible ways to stay active has been a part of our
mission for decades, but our research tells us nearly 70 percent of
Americans are getting no regular physical activity. As an organization
we are looking for ways to change this. Nintendo has demonstrated clear
leadership in active-play video games with the popularity of the Wii
system, and I'm confident that together we can encourage Americans to
become more physically active.”
The unlikely partnership announced today comes amid growing concern
about obesity among kids who spend much of their time with television
and video games.
