Mattel’s shocking marketing blunder leads children to porn site instead of movie promo.
At a Glance
- Mattel apologizes for printing adult website URL on “Wicked” movie dolls
- Error affects dolls sold primarily in the United States
- Mattel recommends dolls for children aged four and above
- Company taking immediate action to recall and correct the mistake
- Dolls now being resold on eBay at inflated prices
Mattel’s Colossal Mistake Exposes Children to Adult Content
Toy manufacturing giant Mattel has found itself at the center of a scandal that has outraged parents and consumers across the nation – and the reason why is plain shocking. The company, known for its family-friendly products, has inadvertently directed children to a pornographic website instead of the official promotional page for the upcoming “Wicked” movie.
The error was discovered when eagle-eyed fans noticed an incorrect web address printed on the packaging of the new “Wicked” dolls, which were released in anticipation of the film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical. Instead of leading to the intended “wickedmovie.com,” the URL on the packaging directed users to “wicked.com,” an adult content site.
Oops.
Mattel’s Response and Immediate Action
Facing severe backlash, Mattel has issued a public apology and is scrambling to contain the fallout from this egregious oversight. The company has admitted to the error and is taking steps to rectify the situation.
“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this,” Mattel said in a statement.
Mattel has advised parents that the misprinted website is not appropriate for children and recommends that consumers who have already purchased the product either discard the packaging or obscure the link. The company is also offering further assistance through its customer service department.
Widespread Recall and Market Impact
The recall affects a range of “Wicked” dolls, including fashion, singing, and collectible varieties featuring characters like Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba. As of Sunday evening, the dolls have been removed from major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Amazon, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy, and DSW.
Despite the recall, some opportunistic individuals are exploiting the situation. Reports indicate that dolls with the incorrect URL have appeared on eBay at grossly inflated prices. Originally retailing between $24.99 and $39.99, these “error” dolls are now being resold for $100 to $800, turning a corporate blunder into a twisted collector’s item.
A Wake-Up Call for Corporate Responsibility
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of quality control in products aimed at children. It’s unconscionable that a company of Mattel’s size and reputation could allow such a grave error to slip through its checks and balances. This oversight not only puts children at risk of exposure to inappropriate content but also erodes the trust that parents place in established brands.
Always remember to double check…
