Newly-formed entertainment company led by former Rovio CEO Mikael Hed buys Rovio's book publishing business, Vancouver TV animation studio, and a selection of non-Angry Birds properties.
LOS ANGELES -- Former Rovio Entertainment CEO Mikael Hed, who helped to build the Angry Birds franchise, has formed a new startup, Kaiken Entertainment.
Kaiken, comprising of a dream team of seasoned creators from Rovio, is an entertainment company specializing in storytelling through film, apps, streaming video and publishing with a broad portfolio of story-based properties.
Kaiken Entertainment has purchased Rovio's TV animation studio in Vancouver and Rovio's book publishing business as well as certain non-Angry Birds properties. The transaction is part of the ongoing reorganization of Rovio's Animation Division.
Mikael Hed will serve as Executive Chairman of Kaiken Entertainment. Kaiken Publishing CEO Laura Nevanlinna will be Head of Franchise & Portfolio Development. Veteran Rovio producer Ulla Junell has been appointed Head of Animation and President of Kaiken Canada. Another Rovio veteran, producer Joonas Rissanen will serve as Kaiken’s Creative Director. Former Rovio, Aardman and DreamWorks senior executive Steve Pegram and Rovio’s President of Animation, previously of Disney and DreamWorks, Tommy Korpinen have both joined Kaiken Entertainment’s Advisory Board.
“This team has been integral in building the hugely successful franchise around Angry Birds,” Hed commented in making the announcement. “With this amazing team of experts and storytellers, we are thrilled to be pursuing the next big hit.”
Kaiken will continue to partner with Rovio on certain projects including producing Angry Birds content and serving as the master licensee of the Angry Birds brand in books publishing.
“We are happy to announce this transaction and look forward to a continued partnership with Kaiken in animation series productions and books publishing,” says Kati Levoranta, CEO of Rovio Entertainment Ltd.
Source: Rovio Entertainment
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
