The creators of the global phenomenon ‘Angry Birds’, Rovio has roped in the services of Pekka Rantala from beverage maker Hartwall to take over as its new chief executive by the beginning of next year for the Finland based studio.
Current CEO Mikael Hed, son of board chairman Kaj Hed, will join the company’s board of directors as well as take on the role of chairman at Rovio’s animation studios.
Rantala, who is currently the CEO of Hartwall, earlier worked for 14 years for the telecom giant Nokia.
After scoring a global breakthrough with ‘Angry Birds’ in which players use a slingshot to attack pigs who steal birds’ eggs, Rovio has expanded the brand into an animated TV series and merchandising of toys and clothing.
But it has struggled to retain players and earnings halved last year due to investments in the animation business as well as stalling sales.