Mattel recently recalled thousands of its “Wicked”-branded dolls due to a printing error on the packaging, which mistakenly directed customers to a pornographic website associated with Wicked Pictures instead of Universal’s official site for the upcoming "Wicked" movie.
This packaging mishap, which affects dolls sold primarily in the U.S., prompted the company to immediately remove the product from major retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Macy's, with some retailers still working to pull listings throughout the day on Monday.
In response, Mattel advised consumers who already purchased the dolls to discard the packaging or obscure the misprinted URL. They also encouraged parents to contact Mattel’s Customer Service for more guidance.
Analysts speculate that while the oversight may affect Mattel’s revenue due to the costs of removing and possibly reprinting the products, the long-term impact will depend on how the company resolves the issue.
Additionally, the error has driven resellers to capitalise on demand for the misprinted dolls, with some eBay listings reaching as high as $2,100.
The incident coincides with the planned "Wicked" merchandise rollout, anticipated to boost retail ahead of the movie’s November release, and highlights the potential for costly consequences even in minor packaging mistakes.
Source:
NBC
