Strawberry Shortcake: Very Bestie Bake-Off represented another milestone in Maestro Media’s growing portfolio of collaborations with world-class entertainment companies. Partnering with WildBrain, the global media company that owns the Strawberry Shortcake IP, this project celebrated one of the most cherished characters in pop culture through a fresh, family-oriented card game.
Forged by acclaimed game designer Shem Phillips, Very Bestie Bake-Off captured the spirit of Strawberry Shortcake—optimistic, creative, and community-driven—while offering players an accessible, lighthearted tabletop experience. The goal was to create something that families could instantly embrace and easily learn, while being delightful and visually irresistible.
Unlike Maestro Media’s earlier fan-driven campaigns, Very Bestie Bake-Off was a direct-to-market release rather than a Kickstarter project. Leveraging the strength of the Strawberry Shortcake brand, the team positioned the game for immediate retail distribution, supported by a strategic communications campaign that spanned major media announcements, social media promotion, and internal email activations. The game quickly became available through the Maestro Media website and retail partners, reaching both nostalgic fans of the classic franchise and a new generation of families discovering Strawberry Shortcake for the first time.
A major highlight of this project was Maestro Media’s seamless collaboration with WildBrain. Working with a global entertainment corporation required precision, transparency, and respect for the brand’s longstanding identity. The partnership was characterized by mutual trust and creative alignment, allowing both brands to shine through the finished product. WildBrain’s enthusiastic participation and swift approvals helped streamline the process, and the collaboration set a strong precedent for future licensed projects.
The marketing campaign leaned heavily into family-friendly storytelling. We engaged family influencers, both within and outside of the tabletop gaming community, to create authentic reviews, playthroughs, and social content that showcased the joy of playing together. Their enthusiasm and organic coverage drove meaningful awareness and reinforced the game’s appeal across multiple demographics.
The launch also received critical recognition within the industry. Strawberry Shortcake: Very Bestie Bake-Off was nominated for Innovative Licensed Product of the Year at the 2025 TAGIE Awards, a testament to the game’s quality, design, and the success of its collaborative production model. The nomination underscored Maestro Media’s growing reputation for bringing beloved IPs to life through intentional design and fan-centric marketing.
The Strawberry Shortcake project carried the same heartwarming, nostalgic energy and family-centered values as Hello Kitty, while operating on a smaller scale. It demonstrated Maestro Media’s ability to translate sweetness and positivity into an engaging tabletop experience that resonated with both parents and children.
Ultimately, Strawberry Shortcake: Very Bestie Bake-Off showcased Maestro Media’s continued evolution as a trusted partner for major entertainment brands. The game’s success reflected the company’s ability to operate fluidly between corporate collaboration and creative independence—blending innovation, respect for legacy IPs, and a deep understanding of what makes games emotionally rewarding.
