Rovio reports that it enjoyed very strong revenue and profits in its 2011 fiscal year, and it owes its success to the world’s love for flinging furious fowl into ramshackle buildings put together by sneering swine. In other words, Rovio credits its good fortune to the Angry Birds franchise, including all the merchandising and licensing surrounding the brand.
During the 2011 fiscal year, Rovio’s revenue totaled 75.4 million euros ($106.3 million), and its earnings grossed 48.0 million euros ($67.6 million). But maybe the sudden jump in the studio’s employee count is especially indicative of its success. The House of the Angry Bird has gone from 28 staffers to 224.
Rovio CEO Mikael Hed believes that Rovio is well on its way to a fruitful 2012 fiscal year, thanks in no small part to Angry Birds Space, which hit 50 million downloads in a month. Hed also says that its merchandising blitz, which is being conducted with over 200 licensing partners, brought in 30% of 2011’s revenue, a number that should continue to grow through 2012.
Hed also promises that there’s more to Rovio than just Angry Birds, and we’ll soon see what the studio has up its wing. “[Rovio needs to] stay focused on entertaining our millions of fans by continuously developing new and innovative products and services,” Hed said.
Do you still love to spend time with the Birds, or have you had your fill? Also, you should definitely take a minute to tell us all about the Blue Bird plush that you hug and whisper your dreams to every night before bed. Seriously though, do you have any Angry Birds merchandise on hand? Have you gifted your younger siblings with any?
[via Gamasutra]
Article source: http://www.padvance.com/story/angry-birds-merch-helps-rovio-with-a-successful-2011
