Rovio Entertainment Appoints Jazwares as Global Master Toy Partner
New long-term strategic partnership unveiled as part of Rovio’s extensive multi-year licensing roadmap, led by the upcoming release of The Angry Birds Movie 2
ESPOO, Finland – Sept. 12, 2018 – Rovio Entertainment Corp. is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jazwares as its global master toy partner. This new multi-year collaboration will deliver an innovative range of toys to fans around the world in support of Rovio’s many upcoming entertainment ventures, including the planned September 2019 theatrical release of The Angry Birds Movie 2, the hotly anticipated sequel to the 2016 blockbuster The Angry Birds Movie.
Simo Hämäläinen, Senior Vice President, Brand Licensing at Rovio Entertainment, commented:
“Rovio’s new multi-year entertainment and licensing roadmap is our most exciting to date, spearheaded by 2019’s The Angry Birds Movie 2. Our collaboration with Jazwares will leverage their extensive expertise with digital brands to deliver new and engagingly interactive experiences that bring the Angry Birds universe together for fans in totally cool ways.’’
Jazwares is a global leader in consumer products including toys, plush, collectibles, musical instruments, and consumer electronics. With 20+ years of experience creating innovative products with interactive entertainment brands for audiences around the world, some of Jazwares’ recent toylines include brands like Roblox™, Peppa Pig™ and Feisty Pets™.
Laura Zebersky, Chief Commercial Officer at Jazwares, commented:
“Jazwares is excited to be Rovio’s long-term master toy partner with a focus on building an everyday character-branded product line. This new, action-packed toyline brings the Angry Birds charisma to life with splat balls, blinds, figures, playsets and plush by Russ™, for cool play value and character recognition that fans, gamers and collectors can enjoy.”
Rovio is developing a long-term and diverse platform of content for its passionate global audience, including a brand-new long-form animation planned for release in 2020. Other flagship projects on the horizon include live stage shows, location-based entertainment initiatives, and animated and live-action productions for Rovio’s Angry Birds YouTube channel. The September 2019 theatrical release of The Angry Birds Movie 2 will be swiftly followed by the landmark 10th anniversary of the original Angry Birds in December 2019.
To date, the Angry Birds family of games have amassed four billion downloads since 2009. Throughout 2018, Rovio will continue its games event and partnership program, developing bespoke in-game brand integrations (previous partnerships include the 2018 NFL Super Bowl, Iron Maiden and Everton Football Club).
About Rovio Entertainment
Rovio Entertainment Corporation is a global entertainment company that creates, develops and publishes mobile games, which have been downloaded over 4 billion times. The Company is best known for the global Angry Birds brand, which started as a popular mobile game in 2009, and has since evolved from games to various entertainment and consumer products in brand licensing. Today, the Company offers multiple mobile games, animations and has produced The Angry Birds Movie, which opened number one in theatres in 50 countries and the sequel of which is in production. Rovio is headquartered in Finland and the company’s shares are listed on the main list of NASDAQ Helsinki stock exchange with the trading code ROVIO. (www.rovio.com)
About Jazwares
Jazwares, a subsidiary of Alleghany Capital Corporation, is a global leader in consumer products including toys, plush, collectibles, musical instruments, and consumer electronics. With over 20 years of design, development, and manufacturing expertise, Jazwares is an award-winning company with a progressive focus on identifying new trends and transforming them into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares, which is headquartered in Sunrise, FL, has offices around the world and sells in over 100 countries. Jazwares’ mission is to entertain through the creation of innovative product. The company’s portfolio features a variety of dynamic, wholly-owned brands along with leading global licenses, and includes acquisitions First Act™, Russ Berrie™, Applause™, and Zag Toys™. For more information about Jazwares, follow @Jazwares on Instagram and Twitter.
