Angry Bird publisher to layoff as many as 130 as it simplifies organization

Rovio, the company behind mobile hit turned multimedia sensation Angry Birds, announced today a reorganization that will leave as many as 130 of their employees in Finland without a job.

The job cuts, 16 percent of the company's workforce, come as a result of slower company growth than expected, according to the statement released this morning.  Rovio, CEO Mikael Hed writes, needs to be innovative and forward-looking, but to do that they also need to be the best at adapting to change.

"We are an entrepreneurial company and have been exploring multiple areas," wrote Hed. "We have been building our team on assumptions of faster growth than have materialized. As a result, we announced today that we plan to simplify our organization around our three key businesses with the highest growth potential: games, media, and consumer products. Unfortunately, we also need to consider possible employee reductions of a maximum of 130 people in Finland (approximately 16% of workforce)."

Hed adds that while the decision to cut jobs is hard, the company would rather do them now when they're able then to wait and not be able to reignite growth.

"At Rovio we live to delight our fans," Hed wrote. "This year we have more launches and news than ever. As we consider these painful measures, we keep our eye on always delighting our fans with products they love."

The news of layoffs come a day after the company announced the cast of their upcoming Angry Birds movie.