Mattel, the toy manufacturer, has issued an apology following the discovery that packaging for its "Wicked" movie dolls mistakenly directed consumers to a pornographic website. The error, which involved printing "wicked.com" instead of "wickedmovie.com" on doll boxes, has prompted Mattel to advise parents to discard or obscure the incorrect link.
Packaging Error Identified
On November 10, 2024, reports emerged that packaging for Mattel's "Wicked" movie dolls featured an incorrect web address. The dolls, released in partnership with Universal Pictures to coincide with the upcoming film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical, included a link to wicked.com. This URL, however, leads to a pornographic website that requires users to confirm they are 18 years or older to enter. The intended website for the film is WickedMovie.com.
The misprint was observed on the plastic packaging for special edition dolls, specifically those representing Glinda and Elphaba, the main characters in "Wicked." In the film adaptation, these roles are played by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, respectively. Individuals began sharing photos of the packaging online over the weekend, highlighting the erroneous link.
Wicked.com is a long-established porn site. The site was formerly associated with Jenna Jameson.
Mattel's Response and Consumer Advice
Mattel released a statement on Sunday, November 10, 2024, addressing the error. The company acknowledged being "made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked collection dolls, primarily sold in the US." The statement clarified that the packaging "intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page."
The toy company expressed deep regret for the "unfortunate error" and stated that it is "taking immediate action to remedy this." Mattel advised parents that the "misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children." For consumers who have already purchased the product, Mattel recommended either discarding the product packaging or obscuring the incorrect link. The company also directed consumers to contact Mattel customer service for further assistance.
Impact and Context
The incident underscores the importance of meticulous copy editing in product packaging, particularly for items marketed to children. The accidental inclusion of a link to an adult industry website on children's toy packaging represents a significant oversight for a company like Mattel, known for its family-friendly brands such as Barbie dolls. The "Wicked" film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is a major motion picture, and the associated merchandise is intended for a broad audience, including children.
The swift public identification of the error by individuals sharing photos online prompted Mattel's rapid response. The company's immediate action and advice to consumers reflect an effort to mitigate the potential exposure of children to inappropriate content and address parental concerns.
Key Facts
- Product Affected: Mattel's "Wicked" movie dolls.
- Error Identified: Packaging mistakenly printed "wicked.com" instead of "wickedmovie.com."
- Incorrect Link Destination: Wicked.com is a pornographic website.
- Dolls Involved: Glinda and Elphaba dolls, based on characters played by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
- Mattel's Action: Apologized, advised parents to discard or obscure packaging, and offered customer service contact.
- Date of Reports: November 10, 2024.
