Mattel Expresses Regrets Upon Sending 'Wicked' Barbie Figures with Explicit Web Address
Mattel is apologizing after unintentionally including a link to an adult content website on the packaging of some of their Wicked-branded toys. The toys, which include singing Glinda and Elphaba dolls, were intended to guide customers to the official Wicked Movie website, but instead, the link led to a site featuring adult content. Once the issue was brought to their attention, Mattel removed the dolls from retail shelves and issued a public apology.
In error, Mattel printed the wrong URL on the packaging of these toys, mistaking wicked.com for wickedmovie.com. The first site serves as a platform for buying tickets and watching trailers, while the second redirects users to explicit content. Despite being a popular story about an unexpected friendship between two university women, Wicked is not an adult-themed story.
Mattel publicly declared that Glinda and Elphaba, the featured characters in the Wicked collection toys, are not associated with the adult content website.
In a statement, Mattel acknowledged the packaging issue, stating, "We became aware of an incorrect label printing error on the packing of our Wicked Collection dolls primarily sold in the U.S., which was intended to direct consumers to WickedMovie.com's official landing page. We deeply regret this unfortunate mistake and are taking immediate action to rectify it. Parents are advised to avoid the mislabeled, inappropriate website for children."
Starring pop artist Ariana Grande, Wicked is a musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, set to hit theaters on November 22nd. The film is expected to be a significant box office success, and merchandise for the movie has already been created and distributed by Mattel and other companies. It seems the mislabeled dolls have made their way to online retailers, such as eBay, despite being delisted on Target and Walmart's online databases.
The minor misprint has resulted in an unusual market for the misprinted toys, with the mislabelled boxes fetching high prices on eBay. The deluxe models of the dolls, including the misprinted box, are currently listed for just under $2,000.
The misprinted URL is subtly situated at the bottom right of the box, on the back near the barcode. This oversight may prove beneficial for collectors, who will now need the mislabelled boxes to complete their collections.
Although the exact cause of the error remains unknown, Mattel admitted this summer that they began using generative AI in their box design process. This technology may not prevent similar oversights in the future, and some critics argue that the company should focus on better proofreading and quality control processes instead.
Mattel should explore improving their proofreading and quality control measures to prevent similar packaging errors in the future, considering their use of generative AI in box design. With the misprinted URL now a collector's item, the future of the tech-savvy collectors market could see a rise in demand for such unique, tech-related finds.
