Former chief marketing officer and brand frontman leaving to focus on entrepreneurial pursuits

Rovio exec Peter Vesterbacka exits Angry Birds studio

Angry Birds developer Rovio has taken another big hit, as long-time ‘brand ambassador’ and executive Peter Vesterbacka has announced his departure from the company.

Vesterbacka joined the company in 2010 and served as the frontman for the Angry Birds brand, as well as having stints as CEO and, most recently, chief marketing officer.

Vesterbacka said he would remain a shareholder and collaborate with Rovio chairman Kaj Hed to build start-up companies as an entrepreneur.

“It has been my privilege to work alongside incredibly talented and amazing colleagues at Rovio," he stated. "We have worked very hard together to bring up the Angry Birds flock over the past six years.

“While I remain a Rovio shareholder – and the biggest Angry Birds fan – I am even more excited about getting back to my start-up roots."

It’s the latest bit of bad news for the mobile powerhouse, after CEO Pekka Rantala stepped down after just one year in late 2015, GM of its Stockholm studio Oskar Burman resigned in March and its financials plummeted from €10m in profit during 2014 to a loss of €13m for last year.

In March, Develop spoke to EVP of games Wilhelm Taht about the company’s plans to turn its poor fortunes around.

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