The local paper Bohusläningen reports that parents are madder than the angry birds featured in a refitted play park in Uddevalla, on Sweden’s west coast. According to the daily, parents see the presence of the playful figures as a form of advertising for the Finnish hit game, Angry Birds.
“What were local officials thinking when they bought play equipment that exposes children to a well-known brand? Have they even thought at all?” asked one local father, Hannes Brage.
“Would McDonald’s put a Ronald McDonald ad here?” he added.
The Angry Birds figures have been painted on some of the park equipment, as well as on park benches and trash cans. The refurbishment cost the local city council some 5,700 euros. Parks director Agneta Johansson said however that the Angry Birds theme was selected solely for the amusement of the local children.
“We did not consider anything else. This is not about sponsorship, nor was this equipment cheaper or more expensive than any other,” Johansson told the local paper.
According to Swedish media some local politicians have sided with the fuming parents and agree that such product placement should be banned. However Johansson takes a different view.
“Of course children can be influenced and may want different kinds of toys. That’s the way it has always been. When my own children were small they wanted Playmobil toys. However it’s the parents’ responsibility to guide their children,” she told the daily.
