How Rovio Evolves From Game Maker to Entertainment Juggernaut

AUSTIN — Rovio announced Monday it is bringing its Angry Birds cartoon series to smartphones, tablets and connected devices. Rovio's distribution strategy for Toons is unique because rather than simply targeting the web or even cable partnerships, the company is using its reach of more than 1.7 billion downloads as a direct way to reach potential viewers.

At SXSW 2013, I had a chance to talk with Andrew Stalbow, executive vice president of strategic partnerships for Rovio, about the Angry BirdsToons and how a small mobile game startup in Espoo, Finland, is well on its way to becoming a major entertainment brand.