Fisher-Price has issued a recall of about 800,000 of its Newborn Rock ‘N Play Sleepers due to an insidious problem that could be growing right under customer’s noses: mold. The company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are warning consumers to stop using the sleepers if they spot mold on it, particularly in between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the product. [More]
Fisher-Price Recalls 800,000 Newborn Rock ‘N Play Sleepers Seats Because They Might Be Moldy
By January 8, 2013
This Fashion Doll Presents An Unrealistic Image Of Pet Ownership Where Animals Poop Jewels
By January 3, 2013
Moxie Girlz are from MGA, the same company that brought us Bratz dolls. They’re like a softer version of Bratz, wearing less makeup, having slightly more human proportions, and they’re even fully clothed. [More]
Everyone Knows You Need All Of The Pieces To Make A Voltron… Except Mattel
By August 15, 2012
Sure, Salem had a happy childhood in Dubai. But it lacked one crucial thing: a toy Voltron. He eventually moved to the United States for a decade, enjoying all that New York City has to offer: career opportunities, a variety of cultural experiences, and the ability to order special-edition Voltron subscriptions from Mattel that aren’t sold overseas. You know, important things. He subscribed to a five-toy collector’s series comprised of five lions that join to form a Voltron. He moved, and the blue lion (Voltron’s right leg) shipped to his old address in error. Mattel is happy to refund his money, but won’t send a replacement blue lion. It’s not about the money. The blue lion is sold out. [More]
Mattel Writes Back To Hot Wheels-Loving Little Girl, Sends Her Free Car Coupon
By July 20, 2012
Rick’s daughter had a question about her toys. She wanted to know why some Hot Wheels cars have drivers, and why some don’t. Instead of just making up an answer or saying that he didn’t know, he sent a quick e-mail to Hot Wheels maker Mattel. They sent her back what was probably a form e-mail, but still surprised and delighted Rick. There was another surprise, too. [More]
Lands’ End Reminds Females They Are Supposed To Be Bad At Math
By July 19, 2012
If you’re a school-age female who is breezing through your math lessons, the folks at the Lands’ End catalog would like to remind you that your lack of a Y chromosome apparently means you should be struggling to keep up in the class. [More]
Report: Recalled Products From Meijer Pop Up For Sale Elsewhere
By March 7, 2012
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says products that were already recalled from Meijer stores where they were sold exclusively were then sold at discount retailers, dollar stores, liquidation forms, flea markets and thrift stores around the country. Yikes. [More]
Tablet For Tots, Coca-Cola Monopoly, T-Pain Toy Mic Among Worst Toy Of The Year Nominees
By November 9, 2011
While toy makers around the world are hoping they’ll be considered among the best toys of the year, the folks at the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood are calling out a handful of toys as nominees in their worst-of 2011 contest. [More]
Mattel Ordered To Pay $310 Million In Bratz Case
By August 5, 2011
Mattel and MGA Entertainment have long been locked up in a bitter court battle over the Bratz line of urban-themed dolls. In the latest swing of the pendulum, a federal judge ordered Mattel to pay $310 million in damages and various fees. [More]
Ken Dumps Barbie After Learning She's Into Deforestation
By June 13, 2011
Last week, Ken broke up with Barbie after finding out some of the paper in her packaging comes from a Singapore company, Asian Pulp & Paper (APP), they accuse of clearcutting rain forests and destroying endangered tiger habitats. In the animated video put out by Greenpeace, he shrieks after seeing video of Barbie chainsawing the forest and laughing like a mad woman, and shouts, “It’s over!” before punching the camera. Later, activists rappelled down the side of Mattel’s headquarters to unfurl a banner announcing the breakup, and Barbie herself showed up in her bright pink “Dream Dozer” before the cops arrested her. Now in response to the campaign, Mattel announced they’re cutting APP out of their supply chain. [More]
FBI Warns Video Camera Barbie Could Be Used For Kiddie Porn
By December 8, 2010
The FBI is downplaying a leaked internal memo that reminded field agents that “Barbie Video Girl”, which has a video camera embedded in her necklace, could be used by pervs to produce child pornography. [More]
What To Do With Recalled Toys
By December 8, 2010
Before allowing your kids to play with toys relatives give them during the holidays, it’s a good idea to make sure they aren’t known death traps. The Better Business Bureau sent in some suggestions on how to make sure your toys haven’t been recalled, and what to if you find out they have been summoned to toy hell. [More]
Fisher-Price Recalls Millions Of Toys, High Chairs, Trikes, Oh My!
By September 30, 2010
Apparently aiming to become the Toyota of the kiddie products industry, Fisher-Price has issued four different recalls today, covering dozens of products and millions of units. So if you have a young kid, you’ll probably want to at least scan the list. [More]
Barbie Can Now Spy On Your Enemies For You
By July 23, 2010
Yesterday we talked about Bratz, so it’s only fair that we give Barbie some space today. Especially this Barbie, the Video Girl Doll. While this piece of plastic looks like any other Barbie doll, it harbors a secret: a hidden camera in a pendant around her neck, which can record up to 30 minutes of video.
Mattel gushes over the spy-doll:
Budding filmmakers, take note: Barbie® doll now doubles as a video camera! Girls can record and play back clips with this multi-tasking doll, which has a video camera built right in. Capture everything from a doll’s-eye-view, then watch it instantly or upload to your computer. There’s an LCD screen on Barbie® doll’s back, and a camera lens hidden discreetly in her necklace. Talk about making movies in style!
Are You Ready For The Return Of Bratz Dolls?
By July 22, 2010
After a 2008 court ruling found that the creator of the Bratz line of dolls had stolen the idea from Mattel (or rather, from himself, when he was working for Mattel), all Bratz products were supposed to be destroyed, and Mattel had the right to take over the brand and do whatever it wanted with it. A judge put the mass annihilation on hold, and today an appeals court overturned the initial ruling, meaning your local toy store may soon be carrying the next generation of the once-popular dolls. [More]
Mattel Trusted To Check Its Own Toys For Lead
By April 27, 2010
The Consumer Product Safety Commission thinks it’s OK for Mattel to use its own facilities for mandated “third party” tests to make sure the toys aren’t contaminated with lead or other stuff that’s not so good for human beings, the AP reports. [More]
Now Your Dog Can Post Mindless Drivel To Twitter, Too
By February 15, 2010
Have you always wanted to use an Internet-enabled collar and a Twitter feed to keep up with what your dog is up to when you’re out of view? Me either, but Mattel thinks that there might be a market for this sort of thing, and will bring Puppy Tweets to market this summer. [More]
Computer Engineer Barbie Thinks Math Is Awesome And Lucrative
By February 14, 2010
Over the last five decades, the vaguely human-shaped fashion doll Barbie has had a lot of careers. Barbie’s jobs have changed over time along with perceptions of what the little girls who played with her could grow up to become. She was a nurse in 1961, then a surgeon in 1973. She was a student teacher in 1965, and President of the United States and a Starfleet officer in 2000. Now, Mattel is hopping on the geek chick bandwagon with Computer Engineer Barbie. [More]
