Co-operation between Visit Finland, the Finnish national tourist board, and Rovio, the Finnish creators of Angry Birds, will see a new episode launched in December 2014.

The new episode in Angry Birds Seasons, called 'On Finn Ice', will introduce players to Finnish nature, traditions and culture through the Angry Birds characters. The musical sound of Finland will also be represented as the theme tune of the episode is produced and performed by Apocalyptica, a famous Finnish cello rock band formed in 1993.

Through the game, Visit Finland aims to raise knowledge and awareness of Finland by introducing the destination to new audiences and inviting players to experience Finland together with the Angry Birds. The original Angry Birds app was released in December 2009 by the Finnish entertainment media company, Rovio Entertainment Ltd and has since become the most downloaded mobile app of all time, with well over two billion downloads to date.

Mervi Holmén, director of marketing and brand at Visit Finland, says ”This collaboration with Rovio allows us to connect with new audiences through enthusiasm and imagination, as well as advocate the Finnish game industry. Working alongside Rovio on the production of the project's creative content is a new and innovative approach to promoting Finland  and thus the entire project is well suited to Visit Finland's role as a challenger brand.”

The new episode, 'On Finn Ice', will be a free update to Angry Birds Seasons, the second game in the Angry Birds series, and will be released for iOS and Android devices on 1st December 2014 with other supported platforms to follow soon after. As with earlier Christmas updates of Angry Birds Seasons, users will be able to play one new level per day in the countdown to Christmas for a total of 25 levels as well as receive special hidden treats.

Edvard Groundstroem, executive producer at Rovio Entertainment Ltd, says “Rovio is a true storyteller and we're constantly on the lookout for new and innovative ways for our fans to engage with the brand, so the magical beauty of the Finnish winter made for a particularly exciting story and experience. Setting our stories in real locations is yet another interesting twist on creatively combining the digital and physical world. ” 

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For further information on Finland please visit www.visitfinland.com or call Jules Ugo or Georgina Oakley at Lotus UK on 0207 953 7461 or email firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk

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