Everton get a new sleeve sponsor, it’s Angry Birds!

Everton have finally announced a shirt sleeve sponsor for the kits this season, and it’s one of the most downloaded games of all time, Angry Birds.

In a statement released earlier this morning, the Toffees announced the deal with Rovio Entertainment, the company behind the Angry Birds franchise that has taken the world by storm. The Club did not reveal any details on how much the contract is for or how long the term is.

The sleeve sponsor goes on the left sleeve and is a first this season for the Premier League, with about half the teams in the league carrying a sponsor’s logo so far. Here is what the logo will look like when the Blues will unveil it today away at Manchester United.

Since launching in December 2009 Angry Birds has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 3.7 billion game downloads. The partnership with Rovio Entertainment, a Finnish-based company, will open a range of marketing opportunities to new global audiences for both parties.

With 97% global brand awareness, over 450 millon game downloads in 2016, 80million monthly active users, 25 million followers on Facebook and more than 3billion YouTube views; Angry Birds’ worldwide digital reach offers Everton and Rovio the opportunity to create innovative branded content using the Club’s crest, players and stadium - as well as giving users of the games the chance to win some exclusive Everton prizes.

Everton’s Chief Executive Robert Elstone said:

“We’re delighted that Rovio Entertainment has become Everton’s first shirt sleeve partner. Angry Birds is one of the best-selling game apps of all time and is also a remarkable success story in terms of the way in which the brand has crossed over from gaming to become part of popular culture. Everyone here is excited about being able to work with such a creative, dynamic and ambitious brand.”

Alan McTavish, Head of Commercial at Everton, said:

“Rovio Entertainment recognise the global reach that Everton can deliver through its international fanbase and the global exposure of the Premier League. In return, working with Rovio and the Angry Birds brand gives Everton exposure in key international markets through their breadth of digital channels in gaming and animation, as well as a wide range of co-branded merchandise.

“The lead character in the Angry Birds universe is known as Red - and it is great to know he is now a Blue.

“We look forward to working together to deliver some innovative and exciting worldwide activations in what I’m sure will be a long and successful partnership.”

Ville Heijari, CMO of games at Rovio Entertainment added:

“We are excited to bring Angry Birds into the top flight of English football in partnership with Everton. In Everton, we have found a partner who shares our values of putting the fans first, and creating a long-lasting legacy for our community of players. This is Rovio's first partnership in the most watched sports league in the world, and a logical continuation of our global Angry Birds brand partnerships.”

Angry Birds creator, Rovio Entertainment, has partnerships with several global brands to cross-promote the Angry Birds series of games. The original Angry Birds casual puzzle game is one of the most successful apps of all time and, building on its success in the mobile gaming industry, Angry Birds has expanded rapidly into consumer products and licensing.

Angry Birds is the first mobile game brand to be expanded into a blockbuster movie generating approximately USD 350 million in box office revenue worldwide, and opening at number one in 50 countries including top movie markets, the US, UK and China. As well as Rovio’s sleeve partnership with Everton it has also forged innovative international partnerships with NASA, NBA, McDonalds, Sony and Lego.

Details of how fans can add the Angry Birds logo to the shirt sleeve of 2017/18 replica match shirt are available here: www.evertonfc.com/sleeveFAQ