New Strawberry Shortcake Series in the Works

HALIFAX: DHX Media and Iconix Brand Group have teamed up to co-develop and co-produce a new animated series based on the Strawberry Shortcake brand.

The long-term agreement sees DHX and Iconix jointly finance, co-develop and co-produce at least 39 new half-hour episodes of Strawberry Shortcake, with the option for additional episodes. According to the terms of the deal, DHX Media will produce and internationally distribute the new content across all media, with the possibility to extend for additional seasons.

Iconix will handle worldwide merchandising and licensing for the brand, with DHX’s international licensing agency, CPLG, holding first right of negotiation to represent the Strawberry Shortcake brand in certain territories. Iconix and DHX will both participate on all revenue streams related to the deal. Iconix will maintain ownership of copyrights and all intellectual property.

Through another agreement, DHX is becoming the exclusive global distributor for the Strawberry Shortcake back catalogue. This deal adds 108 half-hours to the eight half-hours of Strawberry Shortcake content already in DHX’s distribution library.

Dana Landry, the CEO of DHX, said, “This agreement to grow Strawberry Shortcake continues our strategy of partnering on world-leading brands to generate new, high-quality content for distribution around the world, and to participate in consumer product offerings for such properties. We are excited to collaborate with Iconix Brand Group to leverage our animation expertise, distribution reach and merchandising and licensing capabilities to drive new global growth for this perennial girls’ brand.”

John Haugh, the CEO and president of Iconix Brand Group, added: “We acquired Strawberry Shortcake because of its universal appeal and tremendous potential. A key pillar of our global strategy for growth has been the development of new content. We are thrilled to be partnering with DHX. With their proven track record of developing strong animated children’s entertainment, we look forward to providing Strawberry‘s original fans, who are now moms, with new ways to share the popular brand with their children.”