The New, Expanded Agreement Makes Hasbro the Premier Toy and Game
Licensee for Rovio and the Angry Birds Brand Including the Upcoming
Angry Birds Go! Property
PAWTUCKET, R.I. & HELSINKI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and Rovio Entertainment today announced an expanded
licensing agreement for Hasbro to develop toys and physical games based
on the globally popular Angry Birds brand. The new agreement makes
Hasbro the premier toy licensee for Angry Birds, including the upcoming
game Angry
Birds Go! (http://go.angrybirds.com)
set to be released this year. In addition, Hasbro will continue to
develop and expand their already highly successful collaboration with Angry
Birds Star Wars from Rovio Entertainment and LucasFilm.
"We are delighted to have Hasbro onboard as a key licensee," said Teemu
Suila, COO, Rovio Entertainment. Commenting on the announcement, Naz
Cuevas, SVP, Global Consumer Products Licensing said, "We have exciting
projects lined up for 2013 and beyond, and Hasbro is the ideal preferred
licensee to anchor the program, expand our retail reach and delight our
fans."
Angry Birds is one of the world's biggest entertainment brands. The
original mobile game was launched in 2009 and remains the number one
paid app of all time. Angry Birds has expanded rapidly into consumer
products, publishing, and animation. In March Rovio released Angry Birds
Toons, a weekly animated cartoon series distributed through Angry Birds
games, TV broadcasters and on-demand networks. A full-length animated
Angry Birds movie opening is also slated on July 1, 2016.
"Angry Birds is one of the most recognizable entertainment franchises in
the world and we're thrilled Rovio has chosen Hasbro as its premier toy
and game licensee," said John Frascotti, Chief Marketing Officer,
Hasbro. "With the new Angry Birds Go! property and additional upcoming
collaborations between the companies, Hasbro looks forward to delivering
more innovative Angry Birds toys and games to kids and families across
the globe."
The terms of the agreement give Hasbro licensing rights worldwide. New
toys and games are planned for fall 2013 based on the upcoming Angry
Birds Go! property and Angry Birds Star Wars. More details will be
released later in the year.
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling
the fundamental need for play for children and families through the
creative expression of the Company's world class brand portfolio,
including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE
GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to
television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a
comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global
customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a
variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company's Hasbro
Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 170
markets around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a
multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications
(NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the company's deep commitment to
corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is
helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and
to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families
every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of
the "World's Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate
Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.
About Rovio Entertainment
Rovio Entertainment Ltd is an industry-changing entertainment media
company headquartered in Finland, and the creator of the globally
successful Angry Birds™ characters franchise. Angry Birds, a casual
puzzle game, became an international phenomenon within a few months of
its release. Angry Birds has expanded rapidly into multifaceted
entertainment, publishing, and licensing to become a beloved
international brand. Rovio's animated Angry Birds feature film is slated
for July 1, 2016.
www.rovio.com
HAS-B

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130617006348/en/
Hasbro, Inc.
Daniel Benkwitt, 401-727-5318
dbenkwitt@hasbro.com
or
Rovio
Entertainment
media@rovio.com
Source: Hasbro, Inc.
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