I don't think Ichigo Mashimaro is anymore pandering to the lolicon crowd than a show like Chobits is pandering to Moe-obsessed otakus. The truth of the matter is if Ichigo had been written/designed by Clamp, or any female group, the assosciation with lolicon would be far less prevalent.

14-episode-series don't get produced to pander to a single, niche, subculture. A succesful series is able to attract many fans from multiple camps. If Mashimaro is succesful it's because it offers something a bit more universal than doujinshi loli.