Angry Birds maker Rovio to replace CEO

The company behind the all-encompassing Angry Birds franchise, Rovio, is making some changes at the top of the pyramid in the wake of flat revenues and a serious drop in profits.

Unlike other one-hit wonder games, Angry Birds is its own social movement, with near ubiquitous brand recognition, and a very healthy merchandising operation.  However, Rovio has made some questionable moves with Angry Birds the games, and the free-to-play model (on some platforms), slew of in-app purchase options, and glut of obtrusive ads, may be taking their toll.

So, when the need arises to instill new confidence in a company, changes are made, and when a change is made at the top, you know a company wants to get some wind in its sails. The Finland based Rovio is passing the reins from Mikael Hed to current Chief Commercial Officer, Pekka Rantala.

The two are presenting the changeover as a friendly transition, and that is probably true since Rantala will not fully hold the position until January 1, 2015. Hed will remain on Rovio’s board and will lead Rovio’s animation shop where the company is making a big push into entertainment. There will be a full length Angry Birds feature film out in 2016.

source: TechCrunch