Licensees smell sweet product potential in a revamped Strawberry Shortcake brand

Boasting the distinction of being the first toy to offer a scent feature, Strawberry Shortcake dolls tickled the olfactory senses of young girls everywhere, selling 25 million units between 1981 and 1986. Originally conceived as a greeting card and stationery line by American Greetings brand development team Those Characters From Cleveland (which also created Care Bears and Popples), Strawberry Shortcake wasn't just a toy sensation. Over its five-year run, the redheaded rag doll generated US$1.2 billion in sales of books, videos, records and other licensed items. Amazingly, it accomplished all of this without the aid of a TV show, although six Strawberry Shortcake TV specials were produced in the early '80s.