‘Wicked’ Movie Dolls’ QR Codes Lead to Adult Website, Sparking Controversy

Promotional dolls for the highly anticipated "Wicked" movie have become the center of an unexpected controversy. QR codes printed on the packaging of these dolls, intended to direct fans to official movie information, have been found to redirect to an adult website. This marketing misstep has led to apologies from the manufacturer and a recall of the affected products.

• QR codes on "Wicked" movie promotional dolls were misprinted, leading to an adult website instead of the official movie page.
• Toy manufacturer Mattel has issued an apology and is taking steps to rectify the error.
• Affected dolls are being removed from store shelves, and consumers are advised to discard or obscure the misprinted packaging.

The "Wicked" movie, set to release in two parts starting November 22, has faced a series of marketing challenges. The latest issue involves promotional dolls manufactured by Mattel. Consumers purchasing these dolls discovered that the QR codes on the packaging did not lead to the official "WickedMovie.com" landing page as intended. Instead, the codes directed users to an adult website, causing concern and embarrassment.

Mattel has publicly acknowledged the "unfortunate error" in a statement. The company confirmed that the misprint primarily affected dolls sold in the U.S. and expressed deep regret for the mistake. Mattel is actively working to remedy the situation and has advised parents that the incorrect website is inappropriate for children. Consumers who have purchased the affected dolls are encouraged to discard the packaging or cover the QR code. Further assistance is available through Mattel’s customer service.

Major retailers, including Walmart, Macy’s, and Amazon, are in the process of removing the misprinted dolls from their shelves. Despite these efforts, some of the incorrectly packaged dolls may still be found on secondary markets like eBay, with some listings fetching significantly higher prices due to the notoriety of the error. Fans eager to purchase merchandise are advised to be cautious and verify the packaging if possible. The "Wicked" movie itself is an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, which in turn is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel about the witches of Oz.

• Wicked movie’s marketing strategy misfires as QR codes printed on the film’s promotional dolls redirect to
  an ‘adult website’ – deets inside, Masala.com.
• QR codes on dolls to promote ‘Wicked’ movie lead to porn site, Deccan Herald.
• Barbie doll makers misprint QR code redirecting to a ‘porn website’ on ‘Wicked’ dolls; Apology issued –
  BusinessToday, Business Today.