Rovio Entertainment's North American consumer products licensing team has three new additions.

Darren Kyman joins as head of retail for North America, where he will develop retail programs for Angry Birds Stella, Angry Birds Classic and the Angry Birds Movie, while working with the brands' licensing partners. Kyman's background in retail development comes from experience at Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures where he helped develop and support retail programs for a number of major theatrical and TV properties.  

Amy Asher joins as executive director of licensing and marketing for North America, bringing with her over 10 years of experience in the licensing industry. Asher comes from Sony Entertainment with a proven track record for developing fashion collections, activewear and trend categories, having played a key role in growing merchandise programs for major franchises such as Smurfs and “Breaking Bad.” 

Finally, Eli Chitayat, formerly of Hybrid Apparel and Warner Music Group, joins as associate director of licensing and marketing in North America. Chitayat will focus on signing new partners and developing engaging marketing activations for the brand.  

“These three amazing individuals will be instrumental in expanding our business and continuing to grow the Angry Birds brand, and I’m incredibly excited to have them onboard,” says Randi Spieker, vice president of consumer products licensing, North America, to whom all three will report. “Our licensing team had a huge growth the past year, and we are looking toward a consumer-focused, action-packed fall 2014 with the Angry Birds Stella and Angry Birds Transformers brands, and a lot of momentum building next year, leading up to our first Angry Birds feature film release in 2016."

The new team’s first initiative will be the fall launch of Angry Birds Stella, Rovio’s first lifestyle brand, which will feature across all company channels, including games, animation, publishing and consumer products.