Toy manufacturer Mattel has been an extra-big name in Hollywood since it made a mega hit Barbie (2023)and also the merchandise of the upcoming cinema film Wicked (2024) is the responsibility of the company. When packaging the recently launched doll items, the makers only made a painful mistake: a referring link on the packaging does not lead to the official film website, but to a slightly more spicy platform…
Special friendship
Wicked will be released in cinemas next month and tells the colorful story of two witches who form a special friendship. Pop icon Ariana Grande will be seen side by side with Cynthia Erivo in the blockbuster. The musical has been a proven hit on Broadway and in other theaters for years.
18 years and older
The release of the film is of course ideal for an extra piece of marketing, and Mattel did not say this twice. Several fans of the musical, including parents with children, have already purchased dolls of the main characters. Curious, but true: the packaging turned out to contain a link to an adult website. Several buyers told X that the information led them to a pornographic platform that was only accessible to people aged 18 and over.
Guilty
Mattel responded guiltily:
We regret this unfortunate error and will take immediate action. Parents (who have already purchased the dolls) are advised that the website is indeed not suitable for their children
The company recommends that buyers “scratch off” the link or simply throw away the packaging. The new dolls from Wicked are mainly sold in the United States.
Beeld: Still ‘Wicked’ via Filmdepot/2024 Universal Studios