Rovio Names New CEO

Pekka Rantala is stepping down as CEO of Rovio as the media company shifts more operational responsibility into its two business divisions, games and media.

April 6, 2018

Company promotes two more executives as it looks to return to its 'entrepreneurial roots

.'

Pekka Rantala is stepping down as the chief executive officer of Rovio as the media company shifts more operational responsibility into its two business divisions, games and media.


Levoranta

Former chief legal officer Kati Levoranta will step into the top role Jan. 1, 2016, with Rantala staying on until then to ensure a smooth transition.

“I want to thank all employees for their tremendous and exceptional support during my time here,” says Rantala. “Now that we have sharpened our organizational focus and set the table for an exciting 2016, I feel now the time is right for me to step aside and move on to new challenges. Kati has been an amazing colleague, and I know that I am leaving the company in excellent hands.”

Additionally, Mikael Hed has been promoted to lead Rovio’s media business, including its licensing activities, and Wilhelm Taht has been named to head the company’s games unit. Hed, who will also lead production of

The Angry Birds Movie

, is a board member and co-founder of the company and

serves as chairman of the Rovio Animation Company, while Taht previously served as head of Rovio Stars, Rovio’s publisher for games from third-party developers.

“I want to thank Pekka for his dedication, change leadership and for steering Rovio through challenging times,” says Levoranta. “We are now positioned to make the most of the release of

The Angry Birds Movie

in May and some exciting developments in the games and consumer products portfolios throughout 2016. I’m looking forward to continuing to collaborate closely with Mikael Hed and Wilhelm Taht in our new roles, and working with all Rovio employees as we take our business to new heights together.”

The changes come a little more than three months after

the company announced its plans to restructure

into three core business units–games, media and consumer products–and eliminate up to 260 jobs.

“As we move into the next phase of the Rovio story, we will be getting back to our entrepreneurial roots with the leaner, more agile organization that Pekka leaves us with. Kati Levoranta has been an inspirational presence at Rovio since 2012, and I am certain that she is the right leader to empower the business units and take us to new successes in all our businesses,” says Kaj Hed, chairman, Rovio.