Strawberry Shortcake Celebrates 30 Sweet Years with First-Ever Digital Comic App

[ENGLISH] Sphinx Group tells us: SAN DIEGO, CA – December 13, 2011 – Ape Entertainment and CPLG, Cookie Jar Entertainment’s licensing arm and global licensing agent for Strawberry Shortcake™, along with American Greetings Properties, the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM), today announced the Strawberry Shortcake digital comic series is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPod® touch and iPad for the first time in history.

For more than three decades Strawberry Shortcake has been a favorite with moms and daughters for teaching wholesome values, going on fantasy adventures and proving that little girls can do big things. Developed by Ape Entertainment’s digital partner iVerse Media, the Strawberry Shortcake digital comic app is free to download and features a preview of the first issue at no additional cost and offers the first three issues for $1.99 each. Each issue contains three stories, including one 16-page story, and two four-page stories.

“We’re very proud to be a part of the first time Strawberry Shortcake has ever been a digital comic series,” said Brent E. Erwin, Ape Co-Publisher. “Beyond it being an iconic series, Strawberry Shortcake teaches very important values in a fun and creative way. And we’re extremely excited to be producing it.”

Issue #1: “The Pineapple Predicament” – Story by Georgia Ball, Art by Tanya Roberts & Amy Mebberson, Cover by Peter Wonsowski – Strawberry Shortcake’s solution to a tropical dilemma convinces her friends that she’s taking a trip to Luau Island. Sounds like a dream vacation, but in the middle of all the excitement, the residents of Berry Bitty City forget to check their facts before they bid farewell. Also included: “The Blueberry Flu” & “Special Delivery”

Issue #2: “The Sour Truth” – Story by Georgia Ball, Art by Tanya Roberts and Amy Mebberson, Cover by Peter Wonsowski – After Katie and Sadie Bug hear about a local legend famous for his honesty, they think telling the painful truth will earn them celebrity status. When feelings get hurt, Strawberry Shortcake must stop the devious duo before berry best friends turn into bitter enemies. Also included: “Berry Fashionable” & “A Little Kitchen Help”

Issue #3: “The Berry Scary Storm” – Story by Georgia Ball, Art by Amy Mebberson, Cover by Peter Wonsowski – The storm of the century is brewing and it’s headed straight for Berry Bitty City. Strawberry Shortcake tries to prepare for the worst, but her friends need her help. Will she have time to save her café from the wrath of Mother Nature? Also included: “Custard & Cake” & “All Colors Go In The Flower Garden”

With the addition of app enhancements included in the digital downloads of the comics to assist consumers in locating their nearest comic book retailer, Ape hopes that Strawberry Shortcake will inspire new readers to discover the exciting world of comics through their local comic book shops.

For more information, please visit www.Ape-Entertainment.com or www.KiZoic.com.

About Ape Entertainment:

Founded in 2003, Ape Entertainment is the brainchild of lifelong comic book devotees David Hedgecock, and Brent E. Erwin. Comic book home to such popular titles as CUT THE ROPE (based on the popular app game), LITTLE GREEN MEN and the Eisner Award nominated SCRATCH9. Ape Entertainment is also the North American publisher for licensed properties including POCKET GOD, SHREK, THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, KUNG FU PANDA, RICHIE RICH, CASPER and STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE. For the latest news about, please follow us at Facebook.com/ApeEntertainment, www.twitter.com/ApeComics or visit www.ApeComics.com.

About Cookie Jar Group

The Cookie Jar Group of Companies is one of the world’s leading independent entertainment, consumer products and education companies with offices around the globe. Cookie Jar Entertainment is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of animated and live-action programming. Its library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes of television features some of the world’s most recognizable series including Caillou, Inspector Gadget, The Doodlebops and Johnny Test. The company controls Cookie Jar TV, the weekend morning block on CBS, and has a one-third interest in international children’s television channel KidsCo. Cookie Jar Entertainment’s Jaroo.com is the premiere web video destination for kids with the largest independent selection of full-length children’s TV series and movies online. Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG) Cookie Jar’s full-service international licensing agency, represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands such as Strawberry Shortcake, Richard Scarry, St. Andrews Links, and Skelanimals. For more information, please visit www.cjar.com.

About CPLG

CPLG is one of the world’s leading entertainment and sport licensing agencies with offices in the U.S., Canada, UK, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Japan. CPLG, the licensing arm of Cookie Jar, has more than 35 years of experience in the licensing industry. CPLG’s often-imitated company structure provides each of its clients with dedicated licensing, marketing and industry professionals and a fully-integrated design, legal and accounting service. For more information, please visit www.cplg.com.

About American Greetings Properties

American Greetings Properties (AGP) is the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation. Built upon the successful re-launches of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake licensed products, which have garnered over $5 billion in retail sales worldwide combined since 2002, AGP develops multi-platform campaigns for its properties through digital media, entertainment, marketing and merchandising. In addition to Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake, AGP’s active classic brands include Holly Hobbie, Popples and Madballs, as well as new properties Twisted Whiskers, Maryoku Yummy and TinPo. Children can experience AGP online at www.agkidzone.com. For more information on AGP, visit www.agpbrands.com.

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships. The Company’s major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards. American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company’s online division). In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.6 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.