12/11/2024
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12/11/2024
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Mattel faced a major blunder over the weekend when it was discovered that the web address printed on the packaging for its Wicked movie dolls directed consumers to an adult content site instead of the intended promotional page.
The toy manufacturer issued a statement apologizing on Sunday:
"Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked collection dolls, primarily sold in the U.S., which intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page. We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information."
As of Sunday afternoon, the Wicked doll collection — which includes fashion dolls, singing figurines, and deluxe collectible models — was removed from sale at Target, a key retail partner for the Universal Studios movie. Mattel is working to pull the collection from shelves at other retailers, including Walmart, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy, DSW, and Amazon.
The dolls in question include characters Glinda, portrayed by Ariana Grande, and Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo in the upcoming film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The incorrect web address listed on the packaging, Wicked.com, leads to an adult site instead of the intended WickedMovie.com page.
This error has already sparked online resales of the dolls with the misprinted packaging, with listings on eBay priced between $100 and $800, compared to the retail price of $24.99 to $39.99.
The Wicked movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, is set to release in theaters on November 22 and is expected to perform well at the box office. Mattel, meanwhile, is working swiftly to rectify the error and restore confidence in the *Wicked* merchandise collection.
