Marking Milestones: Rovio and Outfit7 on Collaborating to Unite FansMarking Milestones: Rovio and Outfit7 on Collaborating to Unite Fans
As both brands celebrate 15 years of success in the mobile gaming market, Rovio and Outfit7 are joining forces to bring two universes together.

Rovio and Outfit7, two leading names in mobile gaming, are marking their 15th anniversary with a collaboration that brings together the worlds of “Angry Birds” and “Talking Tom.” By combining their characters and game mechanics, this collaboration showcases how gaming brands can connect with fans in creative and meaningful ways through innovation, nostalgia and well-executed brand extensions.
License Global explores the details behind this partnership with insights from Tea Dora, head, marketing, Outfit7, and Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala, vice president, transmedia, Rovio.

“Talking Tom” x “Angry Birds”
License Global: What inspired the collaboration between Angry Birds and Talking Tom, and how does this partnership reflect each brand's long-term vision?
Tea Dora: With both iconic mobile game developers celebrating big milestones, it felt like the perfect time to join forces and bring players an unforgettable experience. Fan-favorite characters Talking Tom and Red team up against the mischievous pigs in this exciting crossover. This collaboration stems from a shared history—both franchises have spent over a decade delivering fun and interactive experiences. Over the years, they've evolved from mobile games into global franchises with movies, merchandise, theme parks, and loyal fan communities. Joining forces felt like a natural progression to create something fresh and memorable for their audiences.
Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala: The timing couldn't have been better. With both brands celebrating their 15th anniversary, it was the perfect moment to unite two iconic characters.
This partnership reflects both brands' commitment to providing fans with innovative, engaging content. By uniting two massive fanbases, we're celebrating our history and exploring new ways to create experiences that transcend traditional mobile gaming.

“Talking Tom” x “Angry Birds” Game Play
How do you balance nostalgia for long-time fans with the need to appeal to a younger, modern audience?
Tea Dora: The collaboration came together naturally, focusing on storytelling and creativity that appealed to nostalgic fans and new audiences. Long-time fans will appreciate the familiar elements incorporated into the gameplay, while younger audiences will enjoy new layers of interaction.
The crossover extends beyond gaming, with content like YouTube videos and TikTok clips to connect with fans on multiple platforms. This approach blends nostalgia with fresh, innovative experiences, resonating with a broad global audience.
Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala: It's a balancing act. While introducing modern features and content, we honor the classic elements that made these franchises beloved, like “Angry Birds'” slingshot gameplay and Talking Tom's cheeky charm. For example, the mini-games in “My Talking Tom 2” reimagine Angry Birds gameplay, and the animated YouTube episodes introduce fresh storylines. By offering a variety of touchpoints, we appeal to both older fans and new audiences, ensuring the collaboration feels timeless yet contemporary.
What role does brand licensing play in expanding the reach of this collaboration beyond gaming?
Tea Dora: This collaboration was more than a traditional licensing deal – it was a cross-brand activation driven by shared enthusiasm and vision. Beyond mobile games, the partnership extended into TikTok, YouTube and other digital spaces, creating a cohesive, multiplatform experience. By combining storytelling and co-branding, this event exemplifies our approach to expanding the digital ecosystem of both brands. It's a celebration of strengths and an opportunity to forge new connections with audiences worldwide.
Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala: This was a collaboration rather than classic licensing. A key strategy for “Angry Birds” is transmedia, bringing the brand to life across multiple touchpoints. By incorporating animation and other media, we expanded the collaboration beyond gaming, creating new ways for fans to interact with their favorite characters.
How does this partnership explore new opportunities for cross-brand storytelling, and how are you innovating to engage fans?
Tea Dora: We've created an immersive, story-driven crossover that feels authentic to both brands. By blending different digital spaces, we've gone beyond character pairings or cosmetic reskins to build a shared universe. Looking ahead, digital licensing will be a core part of our strategy. As digital and offline worlds merge, we're redefining how fans engage with brands through seamless gaming, digital channels, and storytelling integrations.
Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala: This collaboration demonstrates the versatility of both brands. Combining their memorable, adaptable characters shows how far these IPs can stretch in terms of storytelling and partnerships. The partnership highlights the potential for future cross-brand ventures, emphasizing creative ways to engage fans across platforms while maintaining each brand's authenticity.

“My Talking Tom 2” x “Angry Birds”
What lessons from 15 years of brand building and licensing success are you applying to ensure this collaboration resonates with a varied, global audience?
Tea Dora: Authenticity is key. Fans connect emotionally with games and content, so staying true to the essence of both brands is critical. This collaboration seamlessly blends Tom's playful charm with Red's bold energy, delivering a humor-filled crossover that feels natural and engaging. Over the years, we've learned that the best collaborations feel "right" from the start. This event is a culmination of our experience, blending nostalgia and innovation to engage a global audience.
Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala: The biggest takeaway from 15 years of success is the importance of staying true to core values. Authenticity is non-negotiable—fans can sense when a collaboration feels forced. By honoring the playful spirit and dedication that define both brands, this partnership resonates with existing fans while welcoming new ones. Preserving what people love about each brand ensures that future generations can share in the joy they've brought to audiences worldwide.
The “Angry Birds” x “Talking Tom” collaboration is an outstanding example of how gaming brands can not only maintain fanbases after 15 years but evolve to nurture growth.
Rovio and Outfit7 are just two brands in the mobile gaming sphere demonstrating the potential of brand licensing and cross-media storytelling to reach new audiences and deepen connections with existing fans. By combining their efforts, the two companies are celebrating their success and laying the foundation to explore the rapidly growing possibilities of collaborating in the video game space, all the while reaching millions of players worldwide.
Read more about:
GlobalRovioRovio EntertainmentOutfit7Angry BirdsTalking TomTalking Tom and FriendsTalking FriendsLicense Global OriginalAbout the Author
You May Also Like