WildBrain unveils sweet new Strawberry Shortcake deals

WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, will be serving up Strawberry Shortcake at Vegas Licensing Expo, May 24-26, as the beloved kids’ brand continues to gain momentum around the world with new distribution, licensing and promotional partnerships.

Following the global success of Season 1 of its new Strawberry Shortcake series, Berry in the Big City, WildBrain is also set to drop Season 2 this summer on the official Strawberry Shortcake channel on WildBrain Spark, the Company’s leading AVOD network on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

Michael Riley, Chief Brands Officer at WildBrain, says: “Since launching this fresh version of our treasured Strawberry Shortcake brand and the new Berry in the Big City series, the response from kids, families and industry partners alike has been amazing. As we prepare to launch forty more episodes, we’re seeing the new brand gathering significant momentum, as demonstrated by another round of international partners, and we know this is only just the beginning for our all-new Strawberry Shortcake.”

Licensees attending Vegas Licensing Expo are invited to visit WildBrain’s dedicated licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, at stand E154 to learn more about exciting licensing opportunities for Strawberry Shortcake.

The new Berry in the Big City 2D-animated series (80 x 4’), plus four brand-new premium CG-animated seasonal specials (4 x 44’), are produced by WildBrain’s Vancouver animation studio with renowned showrunner Michael Vogel (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic). The series celebrates stories of diversity, creativity and friendship as Strawberry Shortcake heads to Big Apple City to find her big break and “bake the world a better place.” The series and specials are part of the global rollout of WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake brand across animated content, gaming, music, toys, food, apparel, events and more.

A new wave of distribution partners for Berry in the Big City has been signed following the previously announced worldwide deal with Netflix, which saw the series launch on the platform April 15 and which will see four original CG specials follow in 2023.

Peacock (US) has signed on for seasons one and two of Berry in the Big City, as has Brazilian broadcaster globoplay. The Roku Channel (US) has launched a Strawberry Shortcake channel featuring new and classic content, including seasons one and two of Berry in the Big City. WildBrain’s Family Channel is currently airing the series and will be the exclusive home for the new specials in Canada. Tiny Pop (UK) has taken both seasons plus the specials – seasons one and two episodes will also be available on Tiny Pop’s VOD app, the POP Player. HOP! (Israel) has picked up season one and the four CG specials. Also, TelevisaUnivision’s Prende TV free streaming service has launched a Strawberry Shortcake channel featuring both new and classic content in Spanish for the US.

Other new distribution partners for season one include Amazon Prime Video (LatAm, France, Germany, Austria, UK, Ireland, Australia), Crave (Canada), FilmRise (US), Future Today (US, UK, Canada), Kartoon Channel! (US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore), Kids Street (US), Magenta-TV (Germany), Tubi (US), TVNZ (New Zealand) and XUMO (US).

Additionally, multiple new consumer products partnerships have been inked for the Strawberry Shortcake brand by WildBrain’s dedicated licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG. Several new deals for both New and Vintage Strawberry Shortcake highlight the evergreen appeal of the brand amongst girls and mothers, including Bentex, for girls’ apparel and swimwear in the US; Jay Franco, for home & bath in the US and Canada; Centric Brands, for ladies’, girls’ and toddler sleepwear, plus mommy-and-me sets for the US; and Cotton On, for ladies and girls’ sleepwear, home and stationery, and girls’ apparel, for global.

Also for Vintage Strawberry Shortcake, Boss Fight has signed on to make fully articulated and scented action figures of Strawberry Shortcake and her friends for the US, while Spirit Halloween is on board for costumes and dress-up for the US and Canada.

These deals add to the list of previously announced licensees for the new Strawberry Shortcake, including Moose Toys (Master Toy/global) and Penguin Random House (publishing/North America), plus a number of capsule fashion collections for Vintage Strawberry Shortcake that launched this winter/spring, including a Unique Vintage collection for Valentine’s Day 2022; a co-branded collection from By Samii Ryan (BSR) featuring matching sets, shorts, baby tees, chinos and a bucket hat; and a Dolls Kill collection of apparel, footwear, accessories and a strawberry shortcake picnic basket.

WildBrain’s Strawberry Shortcake kicks off “Fruitastic” produce promotion

WildBrain’s Strawberry Shortcake kicks off “Fruitastic” produce promotion

Top-selling U.S. fruit brands Sunkist Growers, Naturipe Farms and T&G Global’s Envy Apples have launched a new “Fruitastic” promotion for WildBrain’s new animated Strawberry Shortcake series Berry in the Big City (now available on YouTube and Netflix).

According to a recent study, shoppers increased their basket spend by over 50 percent when strawberries and blood oranges were purchased on the same trip compared to the average strawberry trip. Total basket spend increases were also seen with apples and blood oranges trips.

This spring, Naturipe (strawberries and blueberries) is representing WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake character in the berry category, Sunkist is promoting Blood oranges with Strawberry Shortcake’s friend Orange Blossom, and Envy (apples) is celebrating Strawberry Shortcake’s move to Big Apple City in the new series. A complete “Fruitastic” produce takeover featuring images of Strawberry Shortcake and her friends will kick off in May at select U.S. retailers in time for Mother’s Day, with merchandisers provided by the participating produce suppliers. With limited-edition packaging and merchandising displays, in-store promotional opportunities are available for a short time.

“As life-long fans of the original Strawberry Shortcake series, we are thrilled to be partnering with WildBrain, as well as Sunkist and Envy, to celebrate the new series,” says CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing of Naturipe Farms. “This gives our produce brands a great opportunity to cross-promote all the delicious fruit that is featured in Berry in the Big City and to help establish the next generation of fans of this iconic brand.”

To celebrate the partnership and to prominently feature its strawberries and blueberries, Naturipe has launched an interactive webpage featuring Strawberry Shortcake and Blueberry Muffin that includes new custom recipe videos that inspire users to “bake the world a better place”. This page also includes downloadable activities for kids and grown-ups alike.

Sunkist rolled out limited-edition packaging for Blood oranges, featuring Strawberry Shortcake and Orange Blossom, available in 2lb and 3lb bags at select retailers. Naturipe has POS display signage to support this promotion available for retailers. Envy apples has also created promotional 2lb bags and bins. All three brands have also developed recipes for citrus, berries, and apple fans of all ages.

“This in-store and online promotion is unique, as all three brands come together to celebrate healthy eating and snacking in a ‘fruitastic’ way,” says Christina Ward, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Sunkist. “Our data shows that 62 percent of Blood orange shoppers prefer to eat them as a snack, so we are excited to introduce shoppers to a specialty variety they may have never tried before, like Sunkist Blood oranges.”

“As Strawberry Shortcake and pals ‘bake the world a better place’ in Big Apple City, only the best apple will do,” says Cecilia Flores Paez, Head of Marketing North America at T&G Global. “That’s why Strawberry Shortcake has partnered with Envy apples. Prized for their beautifully balanced sweetness, uplifting fresh aroma, and delightfully satisfying crunch, Envy apples are a perfect ingredient for enjoying both exciting adventures and everyday special moments with the people we love.”

“We’re thrilled that parents and kids – especially moms and daughters – will be able to share their love of Strawberry Shortcake and delicious fruit this spring through our partnership with Sunkist Growers, Naturipe Farms and Envy Apples,” adds Michael Riley, CBO at WildBrain. “These household-name brands are ideal promotional partners in our global Strawberry Shortcake franchise programme, designed to inspire and delight kids through new content, toys, games, books, music, events and more.”

WildBrain’s new series, Berry in the Big City, invites fans to join Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City, with her friends Orange Blossom, Lime Chiffon, Lemon Meringue and Blueberry Muffin, as the entrepreneurial girls run their fabulous food trucks and enjoy daily adventures filled with laughter and singing.

For more information, visit these unique landing pages: Naturipe, Envy and Sunkist.

WildBrain serves up more Strawberry Shortcake deals

WildBrain has signed a further wave of licensees for both the new and classic Strawberry Shortcake brand, brokered by its consumer products licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG. Additionally, the new Strawberry Shortcake series, Berry in the Big City (80 x 4’), plus four brand-new CG-animated seasonal specials (4 x 44’), produced by WildBrain’s Vancouver animation studio, will be available on Netflix worldwide, with the series launching Spring 2022 and specials to follow in 2023. Other streaming and linear television partners across the globe are expected to be announced in the coming months.

“Strawberry Shortcake’s evergreen status as a cherished brand continues to attract major partners across the entertainment and licensing industry,” says Michael Riley, Chief Brands Officer at WildBrain. “We look forward to building on these strong foundations as we continue to roll out the new Strawberry Shortcake for fans to enjoy on and off screen.”

The new 44-minute CG-animated specials are part of the global rollout of WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake brand across animated content, gaming, music, toys, food, apparel, events and other licensing partnerships. Berry in the Big City made its digital-first debut this September on WildBrain’s premium kids’ and family AVOD network, WildBrain Spark. A new Roblox game, Bake with Strawberry Shortcake, is also launching this fall.

Jasen Wright, VP of North America at WildBrain CPLG, says: “Strawberry Shortcake has always had enduring popularity, and the relaunch has seen excitement around this property really ramp up. We’ve seen strong interest from licensees in WildBrain’s new version of the brand, and that halo is fueling a simultaneous renaissance around the classic brand from the 1980s, all of which is testament to the strength of Strawberry Shortcake’s appeal across generations.”

Newly signed promotional partners for WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake include I’m the Chef Too! (culinary educational) and Bahama Buck’s (ice cream). These add to the list of previously announced licensees, including Moose Toys (Master Toy) and Penguin Random House (publishing), plus promotional partners Naturipe (strawberries and blueberries), Sunkist Growers (oranges, lemons and limes), Envy Apples (apples), Zolli Candy (dentist-approved lollipops), Dippin’ Dots (ice cream), Snip-Its (kids’ hair salons) and Challenge Butter (butter).

Classic Strawberry Shortcake is also enjoying a surge in interest from licensees with multiple new deals signed, highlighting the evergreen appeal of the brand amongst girls and their mothers. The vintage brand is partnering with boutique specialty retailers in North America and Canada in unique capsule collections, as well as ranges that feature classic artwork from the original brand. Dolls Kill and Unique Vintage are planning Strawberry Shortcake apparel with the Dolls Kill capsule collection including apparel, outerwear, swimwear, loungewear, intimates, accessories, footwear and home for ladies and junior in the US (stores) and worldwide (online), while Unique Vintage will launch apparel, accessories and home ranges, available worldwide.

Additionally, designer Samii Ryan will be releasing a Strawberry Shortcake apparel and accessories collaboration for early 2022; PacSun will be launching ladies and junior holiday collections by The Forecast Agency in the US and Canada, following the success of its summer line launch, which will feature apparel, underwear, socks, tote bags and headwear; and Glamlite is set to launch a cosmetics line in Spring 2022.